This spring, members of Tobacco Factory Theatres’ Writers Lab took their writing in a new direction, turning their ideas into short audio dramas as part of the term’s Bonus Project.
The Bonus Project is an optional extra each term where members are offered the chance to write something of their own outside of the sessions. These pieces are developed over the course of the term through one to one feedback with Mike Akers, the WL facilitator.
The group were also lucky enough to have three sessions with experienced former radio 4 drama producer Paul Dodgson to help inspire them on the journey. A total of 15 audio plays were produced. In July, a team of volunteer actors assembled at TFT alongside professional sound recordist Nikki Ruck to record the results.
The day was a huge success and went incredibly smoothly, despite Nikki having recently suffered a broken ankle after an accident that occurred while recording puffins on Lundy Island!
The recordings are currently being mixed and enhanced with sound effects. We can’t wait to hear the writers’ words transformed into fully realised audio pieces, and to share the results with you this Autumn. Watch this space for more from Writers Lab! Huge thanks to the volunteer actors who made this possible: Caner Akin, Yvonne Dillon, Cat Hope, Dan Heyes, Helen Liston, Fiona McClure, Kim Hicks, Olly Cumins.
Looking forward to next term, we are also delighted to report that Writers Lab have two slots at ‘The Script’s the Thing’ new writing festival which takes place in Dorchester in October. ‘In Loving Memory’ by Emily Chappel and ‘Pomp and Mummery’ by Tony Bolger will be presented at the festival as script in hand performances. The whole team at TFT is looking forward to hearing all about the festival and the performances in the months to come.
Posted on 18 August 2026
