In this episode of The Writer’s Toolkit, we delve into the world of horror theatre at GrimFest, a month-long festival in October that celebrates the macabre at the atmospheric Old Red Lion Theatre in London. I chat with festival organisers Jack Robertson, the theatre's Artistic Director, and Nina Atesh about what makes the Old Red Lion the perfect venue for the genre, and Jack reveals opportunities for playwrights at the theatre. Plus, I’m thrilled to announce that a newly extended version of my dark comedy, Almost The Birthday Party, will enjoy a 10th-anniversary revival as part of this year's festival lineup!

BOOK NOW for Almost the Birthday Party at GrimFest!

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with the Old Red Lion Theatre

• Visit the website
• Follow on Instagram @orltheatre
• Follow on X @orltheatre

Connect with GrimFest

• Visit the website
• Follow on Instagram @grimfestuk
• Follow on X @GrimFestUK

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

This week on The Writer’s Toolkit podcast, we're exploring what community means for playwrights with special guest Kimberley Andrews of London Playwrights. Kimberley shares the inspiring journey of London Playwrights, which started as a simple blog and has grown into a comprehensive resource for a global community of writers. Plus, Paul and Kimberley offer a bounty of practical tips on how to find, build, and engage with your writing community. Grab a notebook and pen—there's plenty to take away from this episode!

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with London Playwrights

• Visit the website
• Follow on Instagram @londonplaywrights
• Follow on X @LDNPlaywrights
• Follow on Facebook @londonplaywrights
• Listen to the podcast, Playwriting Real-life

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer's Toolkit, we journey to Australia for an inspiring look at the dynamic playwriting collective, 7-ON. I chat with Ned Manning, a seasoned playwright and founding member, to uncover how seven writers, driven by their passion for theatre and a commitment to supporting each other's work, came together to form this collaborative force. Ned reveals 7-ON's unique process, where positive thinking fuels creativity and empowers each member, and offers a glimpse into some of their diverse and exciting projects, including the much-mentioned, Thus Spake Zarathustra.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Ned

• Visit Ned's website
• Follow Ned on Instagram @nedmanning
• Discover Ned's book, Playground Duty
• Discover Ned''s debut novel, Painting the Light

Connect with 7-ON

• Visit the 7-ON website
• Seven Darts from Currency Press
• No Nudity, Weapons or Naked Flames from Federation Press

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

Click here to get in touch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer's Toolkit, I chat with David Brady, Artistic Director of The Lion & Unicorn Theatre in London’s Kentish Town, and Farah Najib, whose play Maggots enjoyed a successful run at the theatre earlier this year. Farah shares how she seized the opportunity to stage her play at The Lion & Unicorn, and how it resonated with audiences. David offers insights into the evolving fringe theatre landscape and provides invaluable advice for playwrights and theatre makers aiming to get their work on stage.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Farah

• Follow Farah on Instagram @farah_najib_
• Visit the Fight or Flight Productions website

Connect with David

• Visit the Lion & Unicorn Theatre’s website
• Follow the Lion & Unicorn Theatre on Instagram
• Visit the Proforça Theatre Company website
• Follow Proforça Theatre on Instagram

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer’s Toolkit Podcast, we shine a spotlight on the vibrant playwriting scene in Aotearoa New Zealand. Join me as I reflect on my time in New Zealand and share insights from three special guests: Murray Lynch, director of Playmarket NZ, discusses opportunities for playwrights; Keagan Carr Fransch shares the development journey of her play Dimensions in Black; and Nathan Joe explores his creative process with Scenes from a Yellow Peril. We also highlight the Robert Lord Writers Cottage, a cherished residency in the former home of New Zealand's first professional playwright.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Discover more about Robert Lord

• The Robert Lord Diaries
• The Robert Lord Writer's Cottage residency
• Three Plays by Robert Lord

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

Following last week’s episode about the trailblazing playwrights' collective 13P, this episode brings you the rest of my conversation with 13P member Winter Miller. Winter shares the challenges and triumphs of self-producing her Off-Broadway play, No One Is Forgotten, which premiered at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater in 2019 and has recently been adapted into an immersive opera by The Dallas Opera. Winter emphasises the importance of building a strong team, ensuring fair compensation, fostering diversity, and effective fundraising strategies. This episode is a must-listen for any playwright considering self-production, offering inspiration and actionable steps to bring a play to the stage on your own terms.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Winter

• Visit Winter’s website
• Follow Winter on Instagram
• Follow Winter on X
• Discover Winter’s plays
• Buy Winter's children's book, Not A Cat

Discover more about No One Is Forgotten

• Buy the published play text from Concord
• Listen to the opera
• Read the Playbill article about financing the production

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

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Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer’s Toolkit Podcast, we explore the revolutionary concept of playwriting collectives with special guests, Madeleine George and Winter Miller, founding members of the trailblazing group, 13P. Discover how 13P transformed the playwriting landscape by empowering its members to produce their own plays and sidestep the traditional development process. Join us for a deep dive into the origins, successes, and enduring impact of this remarkable collective, and gain insights into how you too can find agency over your work.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Watch the film: A People’s History of 13P

Connect with Winter

• Visit Winter’s website
• Follow Winter on Instagram
• Follow Winter on X
• Discover Winter’s plays
• Buy Winter's children's book, Not A Cat

Connect with Madeleine

• Visit Madeleine’s website
• Follow Madeleine on Instagram
• Discover Madeleine’s plays

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

Click here to get in touch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer’s Toolkit Podcast, we delve into the dynamic world of self-producing theatre and the vital collaboration between playwrights and venues. Paul is joined by two special guests: Sharon Willems, Artistic Director of Barons Court Theatre in West London, and Christopher Leiberman, the writer/performer behind the play Bunny Man. Sharon shares her passion for supporting early-career writers and artists, discussing what sets Barons Court Theatre apart and their commitment to fostering new talent. Christopher provides a firsthand account of his journey in self-producing, offering wisdom and encouragement to playwrights seeking to bring their own work to life.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Sharon

• Visit Barons Court Theatre’s website
• Details of The Sunday Fix scratch night at Barons Court
• Follow Barons Court Theatre on Instagram @baronscourtw14

Connect with Christopher

• Buy tickets for Bunny Man at Bitesize Festival (July 2024)
• Follow Christopher on Instagram @lieberman.christopher

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

Click here to get in touch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode of The Writer’s Toolkit Podcast, we explore the benefits of engaging a dramaturg in the development of new writing with special guest, Script Consultant and Dramaturg, Allison Horsley. With an impressive background that spans American regional theatres and Broadway musicals like Jersey Boys and Doctor Zhivago, plus her work with the translation of Chekhov's major plays, Allison’s insights are invaluable. She is also the co-author of Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage. Join us as we explore how dramaturgy can elevate new writing and provide crucial support for playwrights.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Allison

• Visit Allison's website www.allisonhorsley.com
• Buy Allison's book, Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage
• Listen to Allison's podcast, Play: Notes
• Follow Allison on Instagram @horsleyallison

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

Click here to get in touch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations

In this episode, we dive into the magical world of London’s pub theatres—vital stages for new writing in the UK. We explore how these intimate spaces support emerging talent and connect directly with audiences with insights from Heather Jeffery, editor of LondonPubTheatres.com, and Jonathan Blakeley, a writer and performer who self-produced his play "Stitches" at the Hope Theatre in February 2024. So grab a drink, and let's head up the creaking staircase and celebrate the spirit of creativity and community that makes pub theatres the lifeblood of British theatre.

Connect with Paul

• Buy the book, The Writer's Toolkit
• Visit Paul's website
• Connect on Instagram @PaulKalburgi
• Connect on Twitter @PaulKalburgi

Connect with Jonathan

• Follow Jonathan on X @blakeleyjono
• Follow Jonathan on Instagram @blakeleyjono

Connect with Heather

• Visit the London Pub Theatres website
• Follow Heather & LPT on X @pubtheatres1
• Follow Heather & LPT on Instagram @pubtheatres1

Support the show!

This podcast is fuelled by coffee. If you'd like to support the show, please send some writing juice via the link below.

• Buy me a coffee
• Make a donation

Want to advertise or sponsor the show?

Click here to get in touch

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-writers-toolkit/donations