Mark Burgess

Arnold Wesker has died at the age of 83. He was one of the best dramatists of his generation, credited with being a founding father of the kitchen sink drama. He was also a longtime literary hero of mine, and encouraged me during my early days as a playwright - most memorably outside the stage door of a Brighton pub where my play Casting Shadows was being presented. RIP to this great 'angry young man'.

In other (more cheery) news, my next Radio 4 play 'All Mouth & Trousers' airs on 27th April. Tune in at 2.15pm to find out who Britain's first female sitcom writer was.

Mark

April 2016

Next week actors will be hitting the studio to record my ninth play for BBC Radio 4. Called 'All Mouth & Trousers', it's a comedy based on the true story of Britain's (and possibly the world's) first female sitcom writer. Any guesses?

'Somewhere In England' (The Bedford Play) is now in pre-production for September performances at The Quarry Theatre, St Luke's, Bedford.

Mark

March 2016

Things are busy right now. I've just been given my 11th commission by BBC Radio 4. It's for a play that will require research on the Aldwych Farces, 1960s BBC TV sitcoms and that formidable crusader of morals, Mary Whitehouse. Should be fun!

In early November my play about Ian Fleming is being performed in Brighton. So why not go and see SPECTRE and then discover how Bond was created in 'The Man with the Golden Pen'?

Finally, work continues on 'Somewhere in England' (The Bedford Play). I've completed a 2nd draft and also helped film some spectacular drone footage of the town.

Thanks for reading and I'll update you next month!

Mark

October 2015

Welcome to my new website. Hope you like it.

I have just completed the first draft of a commissioned play dramatising the history of Bedford, dating back 850 years to the granting of the Royal Charter. It's due to be performed in September 2016 at The Quarry Theatre at St. Luke's. You'd be surprised at the tales this town can tell...

Over the next few months I will be adding news of further projects. In the meantime, have a good summer.

Mark

July 2015