In the fourth 37 Plays podcast episode, Mark Ravenhill is joined by James Graham, a playwright and film and television writer.

From Mark’s 101 Playwriting Tips, James chose:

#4 Try writing a draft zero/dirty draft. Let the characters say all the exposition, themes, everything they think and feel. Don’t show this to anyone – even yourself! – and then write the first draft. Sarah Kane told me she did this for Blasted.

James’ own tip is:

The theory of bits. “Once you’ve written the first draft, you start to consciously or unconsciously be looking for the central moment in the character’s journey or the story moment or the theme where it will emerge, and an audience will know that that’s the bit.”

The music for this podcast was composed by Sarah Llewellyn.

It’s the last episode of season 2 and we’re joined by playwright Gary Owen. He talks about knowing yourself as a writer and the liberating moment where you find a play that breaks all the rules, igniting the possibilities of playwriting.

From Mark’s 101 Playwriting Tips, Gary chose:

#96: When you have a strong sense of what you want to achieve with a play, feedback can be useful-you’ll use the notes that will help you realise your play. If you don’t have that sense, feedback will blow you off course. Choose carefully when to share your play

Gary’s tip: Kill for your darlings

For more information about 37 Plays and details about how to submit your play, please visit https://37plays.co.uk

It’s episode 5! Mark Ravenhill has a chat with playwright Nina Segal. Nina is the recipient of the 2022 Playwright's Scheme Award, on attachment with the RSC and her play O, Island!, produced at the RSC in October 2022, was shortlisted for the George Devine Award.

From Mark’s 101 Playwriting Tips, Nina chose:

#99: My definition: go through script and rewrite lines = polish. Ditto but rewrite scenes = a rewrite. Take script apart, question fundamental things about it, rebuild again from the ground up with substantial new material = a new draft. Allow for 3 – 7 drafts.

Nina’s Tip: You’re the only person who can write the play you’re going to write.