simon says, writes, does

Ay up!

I’m Simon Marshall, a playwright, writing facilitator and dramaturg from Derbyshire, living in Sheffield. As Associate Artist of Derby Theatre, I have been proud to develop my working practice in my home city, and be a part of initiatives in Derbyshire and South Yorkshire enabling disadvantaged people to explore their creativity. My writing and facilitating practice seeks to empower rural and marginalised narratives and LGBTQ+ individuals, and has been informed by collaborating with charities, care-experienced groups and communities local to me.

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My playwrighting practice blends a strong Midlands heart with a continued exploration of sexuality, belonging & ambition. I tend to write comedy-dramas, with an onus on realistic dialogue and unpicking relationships.

You can get in touch by dropping me an email here.

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Recent work includes:

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Writer:

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• The Fossil Kids (in development) debuting 3rd June at Sheffield Theatres' Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse. A new comedy-drama written with Sheffield Theatres' Young Company.

'So we were all packed off here. The 4 of us.

Like Narnia but we were all wearing GAP, and there was nothing worth finding in the wardrobes, trust.'

4 siblings raised by their Grandfather suddenly find themselves in charge of his legacy.
No family's perfect, but The Fossil Kids have history.

A new play about growing up, showing up and learning to be there for those who need you.

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Book here: 2pm & 7.30pm Saturday 3rd June: The Crucible.

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• Main Character Energy (Queer Folio 2023 Commission)

Follows Sebastian from 'The Tempest' reimagined to a present-day megayacht, in the pursuit of personal gain.

The piece is part stand-up comedy, part monologue, performed by Curtis Dunn and directed by Alice Fitzgerald (Purple Snowflakes and Tittywanks, Stage Debut Awards Best Director Nominee 2022). It has been researched and developed over 3 days with support from Theatre Deli, Sheffield and Sheffield Theatres. Queer Folio is a nationwide initiative reconnecting Shakespeare's plays with their queerness.

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Book here: 7.30 pm Thursday 11th May: Theatre Deli, Sheffield.

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• Bonfire (in development, Autumn 2019-Present)

[directed by Alice Fitzgerald, starring Oliver McLellan, choregraphed by Robia Milliner]

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'Honest, brave and acutely written work from Simon Marshall, often sharply funny too, with a terrific performance from Ollie McLellan. It should get further life' - Lyn Gardner on Bonfire [Work In Progress]

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‘Bonfire’ is a tragicomic monologue-play exploring bodies, identity & the experience of a young queer digital native left to it alone in the wilderness. 

It was shared at Departure Lounge 2022, following support from Derby Theatre, Boundless Theatre, The ReCreate Agency & New Diorama Theatre. In its future life we hope it to reach studio theatres, rural communities & Fringe audiences.
 

The piece was the recipient of the IGC Artist Support Fund 2019, with an R&D supported by Arts Council England, Déda & Derbyshire LGBT+, presented as a sharing (Déda, Autumn 2019) with consultations for Derbyshire LGBT+ Youth Services groups in Chesterfield & Derby.​

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• kilburn (not london): (available here and on all podcast networks, 2021)

a new audio play inspired and dramaturged by care-experienced young people and lgbtq+ young people in Derbyshire. It follows 2 queer young people from Derbyshire, exploring young love, sense of self and making somewhere home.

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• Saving Mel Spencer:

A short audio drama exploring how a nightmare causes chaos between a gay couple on a farm in rural Derbyshire. Commissioned by Podium.me.

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• Come To Where I Am Derby: Beau Repaire: (Online, June 2020)

A monologue-poem recounting a journey through Belper and the way we keep inhabiting our past, commissioned by Paines Plough in partnership with Derby Theatre. Video​

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• Island Nation – (The Space London, October 2018),

A short duologue exploring grief, sense of home and ASMR for Little Pieces of Gold.

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• Wading (Create Theatre Mansfield 2018, developed with Vision West Nottinghamshire College)

[longlisted for Royal Court’s Lynne Gagliano Award 2019]

A full-length dystopian comedy-drama set in a future Nottinghamshire, where sea levels have risen 13 metres, and society is split between those building the future and preserving the past.

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• Holly And/Or Ivy (Arcola Theatre November 2017 & Bread and Roses Theatre for The Platform January 2018)
   

• Brave Face, (rehearsed readings, Mountview Academy 2017 & Place Theatre Bedford 2018)
   

• Zips, From Devon With Love festival (Exeter Bikeshed 2017)

 

Participation Producer:​

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• Community Engagement Officer for Sheffield Theatres, building relationships with communities across the city as legacy of 'Together In The City', to maintain access to theatre and creative opportunity
  [Part-Time] (Nov 2022 - Present) 

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WINNER OF THE STAGE AWARD 2023 'DIGITAL PROJECT OF THE YEAR'

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'So ambitious as it takes audience on a journey; at heart a mediation on home, what you leave behind, what you take with & standing on the shore facing the future.' Lyn Gardner on 'Odyssey.'

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• Co-created 'Odyssey' VR audio-play with care-experienced young people from Plus One, navigating growing up, ambition and hope. 
  [Derby Roundhouse, July 2022, available online here]

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• Dramaturg & Facilitator for 'Everywhere' by Nicky Bellenger

A new youth theatre play exploring Alzheimer's, co-created with those living with Dementia and their carers and Universal Services for Carers in Derby.

[Derby Theatre, Feb-April 2023, rehearsed readings before being shared further.]

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• Co-created 'Reimagine: What the Stars Mean To Us', an original musical written from young people's contributions across North and South Derbyshire on what their futures, dreams and hopes mean to them. [Derby Theatre, February 2022 - July 2022, Buxton Opera House Sep 2022]

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• Drama & Creative Writing Workshop Leader for BBC Radio Sheffield & Creative Lives' 'Where We Belong' workshop series, inspired by the musical film 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie' at Theatre Deli (6th November 2021)

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• Produced, programmed & hosted 'Derby Loves You: A Night of New Writing' for Derby Theatre in the Market Place venue, featuring original writing by Paines Plough, Boundless Theatre & Charlotte Vickers [August 2021]

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• Co-created original film 'Our Place' with Derbyshire LGBT+ & Junction Arts, exploring the queer experience of Chesterfield, see adjacent (July - August 2021)

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• Co-created animation scripts with 3 Derby city primary schools for Reimagine with Derby Theatre (July 2021)

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• Déda, Learning Coordinator (This Is Derby & Reimagine) [Part-Time] (Jan 2019 – July 2021)

Leading on communications, programming & evaluation of sports & arts activity for schools & community venues in Derwent & Chaddesden as Hub Coordinator for Déda.  Reporting to Derby’s Cultural Education Partnership, working alongside Youth Workers and partnered primary & secondary schools, community centres & young people. Facilitating development of creative talent, including producing young performance companies & young poets for national symposiums.

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• Plus One creative writing Half-Term Residency with Zee Musiq (October 2020)
   

• ‘Homegirl’ by Alex Wheatle Online Book Club (Summer 2020)
   

• Reimagine Audio Plays (Summer 2020) online

- nine original audio dramas facilitated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

• Care About Care, Newcastle (October 2019)

​Short play co-created with care-leavers and care-experienced young people, alongside Derby Cultural Education Producer, for national ‘Care About Care?’ Conference hosted by Curious Monkey Theatre (Gosforth Civic Hall, October 2019)

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As a Creative Mentor with Plus One for Derby Theatre since 2019, I regularly lead 1to1 creative sessions and enable participation in cultural activities for care-experienced young people. My participation efforts in 2020-21 earned me a nomination in the top 3 for the Mainframe Award 2021's Rising Digital/Creative Star Under 25.

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Other:

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Hubbub Theatre, Development Producer [Part-Time] (Dec 2019 – Nov 2022)

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- Leading on major fundraising & developmental bids including successful Arts Council England, National Lottery Community Fund, Garfield Weston, Foyle Foundation & COVID-19 Response funds.

Working alongside the Artistic Director & Co-Producer across creative production development, organisational growth & outreach plans for SEND schools & Learning Disabled orgs.

Administrates & expands company’s Board and partnerships. Achieved ‘Creativity for Good’ Mainframe 2020 award & launched successful individual giving & press campaigns.