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PODCAST · education

Start writing plays - Audio

by The Open University

In this album, some of our current and most well-respected playwrights offer an insight into the mechanics and beauty of writing for the stage. Contributors include Alan Ayckbourn, David Edgar, Bryony Lavery and Willy Russell, who discuss their own work and the pleasures and pitfalls of crafting a script. All of the fundamental topics, from character and structure to dialogue and editing, are covered in detail in a series of entertaining and insightful interviews. This material forms part of The Open University course A176 Start writing plays.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 15, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Start writing plays

    A short introduction to this album.

  2. Starting out in playwriting

    How do you find your starting point? Playwrights discuss the start of the creative process from developing simple ideas to narratives.

  3. Developing a play

    What are the best practices to apply when developing a dramatic idea? This discussion ranges from wider issues such as genre to more technical aspects of the art.

  4. The importance of character

    Crafting characters is an integral aspect of playwriting - the rhythm and patterns of their speech, their narrative development and even whether they’re on-stage.

  5. How to write dialogue

    Dialogue is all about listening and the interpretation of speech. Here, it is highlighted how dialogue can alter the pace economy of a play.

  6. The structure of plays

    Arguably the key tool in the playwright’s arsenal, all aspects of structure are touched upon here, along with a few invaluable tips of the trade.

  7. The editing process

    This is where a play really comes together. Playwrights discuss approaches to editing their work and writing with actors in mind.

  8. Politics and the stage

    How political should your drama be? Is tackling politics the same as tackling current issues?

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

In this album, some of our current and most well-respected playwrights offer an insight into the mechanics and beauty of writing for the stage. Contributors include Alan Ayckbourn, David Edgar, Bryony Lavery and Willy Russell, who discuss their own work and the pleasures and pitfalls of crafting a script. All of the fundamental topics, from character and structure to dialogue and editing, are covered in detail in a series of entertaining and insightful interviews. This material forms part of The Open University course A176 Start writing plays.

HOSTED BY

The Open University

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Start writing plays - Audio have?

Start writing plays - Audio currently has 16 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Start writing plays - Audio about?

In this album, some of our current and most well-respected playwrights offer an insight into the mechanics and beauty of writing for the stage. Contributors include Alan Ayckbourn, David Edgar, Bryony Lavery and Willy Russell, who discuss their own work and the pleasures and pitfalls of crafting a...

How often does Start writing plays - Audio release new episodes?

Start writing plays - Audio has 16 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Start writing plays - Audio?

You can listen to Start writing plays - Audio on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Start writing plays - Audio?

Start writing plays - Audio is created and hosted by The Open University.
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