Theatres may be closed right now, but The Nick Hern Books Playgroup is OPEN – so join them to discover and discuss fantastic contemporary drama by today’s most exciting writers, available to read completely for free.
Each Wednesday during the coronavirus shutdown, they’re making one play available for free for one week only, and inviting everyone who reads it to send in a question for the writer. They will then record a Q&A with them, which will be released the following Wednesday, along with the next free play!
Their first Playgroup play is Yen by Anna Jordan. This hard-hitting but tender drama, winner of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, explores a childhood lived without boundaries and the consequences of being forced to grow up on your own. It premiered at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, in 2015, before transferring to the Royal Court Theatre, London, in 2016.
Other brilliant writers they have lined up so far include James Fritz, Winsome Pinnock, Enda Walsh, Stef Smith and Ella Hickson.
There are two ways you can read this week’s Playgroup play:
- as a free downloadable ebook, available to read on your device for seven days – click here to request your free ebook, and they will send you an email with a link to download
- online in your browser via Issuu here, or in the free Issuu app for iPhone, iPad and Android devices – just search for ‘Yen’ in the app
Once you’ve read the play, send them your question for the writer at playgroup@nickhernbooks.co.uk by the end of Sunday. Don’t forget to include your name so they can credit you if your question is included in the Q&A! They will email you to let you know when the writer Q&A and next free play have been released, and also with any other Playgroup updates.
If you’re having trouble accessing the Playgroup play – or have any other questions or comments, please drop them a line at playgroup@nickhernbooks.co.uk.
Source: PLAYWRITING UK Facebook