Darrel Draper

I am a working-class neurodivergent professional playwright, dramaturg and theatre arts tutor. I hold a PGCE alongside years of experience writing for stage, screen and radio. My work has been seen on such stages as The Southwark Playhouse, Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Stratford Circus Theatre, The Pleasance, Old Red Lion, Hope Theatre, Applecart Arts, Tristan Bates, Leicester Square Theatre, The Bread & Roses and National Theatre Studios.

Two of my plays made it into the top 35 plays of the 2023 Papatango Playwriting Award and my writing has been well received and highly praised by such renowned theatres as the National Theatre and the Bush Theatre. My latest play (still in development), 'WET CEMENT', already has both audiences and critics talking:

https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2023...

I am a working-class neurodivergent professional playwright, dramaturg and theatre arts tutor. I hold a PGCE alongside years of experience writing for stage, screen and radio. My work has been seen on such stages as The Southwark Playhouse, Queens Theatre Hornchurch, Stratford Circus Theatre, The Pleasance, Old Red Lion, Hope Theatre, Applecart Arts, Tristan Bates, Leicester Square Theatre, The Bread & Roses and National Theatre Studios.

Two of my plays made it into the top 35 plays of the 2023 Papatango Playwriting Award and my writing has been well received and highly praised by such renowned theatres as the National Theatre and the Bush Theatre. My latest play (still in development), 'WET CEMENT', already has both audiences and critics talking:

https://everything-theatre.co.uk/2023/11/review-wet-cement-queens-theat…

https://thehaveringdaily.co.uk/2023/11/20/wet-cement-is-a-class-act-for…

Alongside my work for stage, I have written pieces for BBC Radio Essex and have been featured in the BBC2 documentary 'The Dark Shadow of Murder'. I have been successful in gaining Arts Council England funding and have helped others to achieve the same.

Most recently I was part of an ITV mentorship programme, during which I developed a TV pilot that caught the attention of Dancing Ledge Productions (the producers of BBC's 'The Responder' with Martin Freeman).

As a dramaturg I have worked for such highly respected institutions as Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and on behalf of such theatres as The Space Theatre. I have read and written detailed reports on over a hundred plays and helped many writers to hone their craft. I have previously reviewed productions for the Off West-End awards ('The Offies).

I have taught performance and creative writing in both mainstream education (primary, secondary, further education and drama school) and community environments on behalf of such organisations as the NCS with The Challenge, Applecart Arts and Bigfoot Arts Education.

I offer industry standard dramaturgical support at non-industry standard rates. My work is thorough, insightful, easily understandable, reflective of the current creative climate and issued with time sensitivity.

Scripts

WET CEMENT

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

Ali has left the madness of mainstream education to pursue a more peaceful career
as a private tutor. However, when Danny enlists her help to pass his adult GCSE's, she is dragged
back into a world of stress and scrutiny, as it appears Danny is one of her ex students who she had
a hand in expelling. Now Danny wants Ali to take accountability for her failings as a teacher. But Ali
wants Danny to take...

Ali has left the madness of mainstream education to pursue a more peaceful career
as a private tutor. However, when Danny enlists her help to pass his adult GCSE's, she is dragged
back into a world of stress and scrutiny, as it appears Danny is one of her ex students who she had
a hand in expelling. Now Danny wants Ali to take accountability for her failings as a teacher. But Ali
wants Danny to take accountability for his actions as a student. Can a compromise be reached
before either hit breaking point, or will history tragically repeat itself?

Fingerprints

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

When sheltered 7 year old Devin is forced to stay with his father in a bedsit, he forms an unlikely friendship with Phabian, a mysterious man who's about to teach him an important life lesson, good or bad, we all leave a mark. But how do you fit into a world that doesn't seem to want you? Maybe the answer is creating your own reality...

When sheltered 7 year old Devin is forced to stay with his father in a bedsit, he forms an unlikely friendship with Phabian, a mysterious man who's about to teach him an important life lesson, good or bad, we all leave a mark. But how do you fit into a world that doesn't seem to want you? Maybe the answer is creating your own reality...

Those Who Look Up

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

Mickey was born at the bottom, now he spends his days looking down from the top of his tower block, beer in hand. To most he's just the local drunk, but to a few, he's a ray of hope in a world quick to turn it's back on the poor and mentally ill. But what happens when Mickey gives refuge to someone who may topple his kingdom...

Mickey was born at the bottom, now he spends his days looking down from the top of his tower block, beer in hand. To most he's just the local drunk, but to a few, he's a ray of hope in a world quick to turn it's back on the poor and mentally ill. But what happens when Mickey gives refuge to someone who may topple his kingdom...

Dust & Such

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

Kyle Jenkins, a notorious trouble maker, is dead. This is the day Beth and her sixteen year old daughter V have long awaited. The day they can finally live in peace. However when Kyles estranged son Alfie emerges to clear his dads flat out, the question is begged, like father like son?

Kyle Jenkins, a notorious trouble maker, is dead. This is the day Beth and her sixteen year old daughter V have long awaited. The day they can finally live in peace. However when Kyles estranged son Alfie emerges to clear his dads flat out, the question is begged, like father like son?

Greyhounds

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

Graham is a teacher with over 20 years of experience. Nathan, one of Graham's ex students, is 17 and living within a juvenile prison on suicide watch. Nathan does not want to live. Graham is dying and trying everything to prolong his life. When reports spread of Nathan 's multiple failed suicide attempts within the institution built to protect him, Graham seeks to offer his assistance, putting himself forward to...

Graham is a teacher with over 20 years of experience. Nathan, one of Graham's ex students, is 17 and living within a juvenile prison on suicide watch. Nathan does not want to live. Graham is dying and trying everything to prolong his life. When reports spread of Nathan 's multiple failed suicide attempts within the institution built to protect him, Graham seeks to offer his assistance, putting himself forward to be Nathan 's
private tutor and life coach, a role many have steered away from.

But is Graham's motivation to help Nathan an attempt to save this young man's soul, or in fact his own? As it
soon appears Graham and Nathan once had quite a rocky class room relationship. To understate matters. Could Graham be partly to blame for the situation Nathan has found himself in? Is this simply a secret journey towards his personal redemption? Either one man saves the other, or they both perish

LAST OF THE ONLY

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

In a remote Texan town stands the last video/DVD rental shop, ever.
Alistair has worked there since he was fifteen, now the manager and much older, he has
built his entire life around keeping this legacy alive. He has allowed it to be home to
some of societies rejects and misfits. However when Alistair receives an alarming call
from the man who owns the shop, his entire livelihood and in fact existence is...

In a remote Texan town stands the last video/DVD rental shop, ever.
Alistair has worked there since he was fifteen, now the manager and much older, he has
built his entire life around keeping this legacy alive. He has allowed it to be home to
some of societies rejects and misfits. However when Alistair receives an alarming call
from the man who owns the shop, his entire livelihood and in fact existence is
threatened. What lengths will Alistair be willing to go to in order to save his slice of
American pie? In the Wild West, many great last stands are waged, could this be one for
the ages? And will this video shop, TRULY be the last of the only.......

THE TEST

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

The Test' is a political comedy drama exploring a post Brexit Britain where all non British born citizens are thrown into isolation until they can pass an absurd test to prove they are deserving of being called British and staying in the country of 'Great Britain', but what makes it so 'Great'? And what does it truly mean to be British in contemporary society.

The Test' is a political comedy drama exploring a post Brexit Britain where all non British born citizens are thrown into isolation until they can pass an absurd test to prove they are deserving of being called British and staying in the country of 'Great Britain', but what makes it so 'Great'? And what does it truly mean to be British in contemporary society.

GROWN

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

Set in an alternative world where humans are bred for consumption in place of animals. Freland is approaching her 13th birthday, up until now she has lived her life alongside her parents in solitude, a habitat built to comfortably imprison her and shield her from the terrifying reality of her existence. Angus and Drisheen, her parents, have wrapped her in cotton wool and fed her on a diet of lies and delusion...

Set in an alternative world where humans are bred for consumption in place of animals. Freland is approaching her 13th birthday, up until now she has lived her life alongside her parents in solitude, a habitat built to comfortably imprison her and shield her from the terrifying reality of her existence. Angus and Drisheen, her parents, have wrapped her in cotton wool and fed her on a diet of lies and delusion.
However when Freland reaches the age of 13, they know they will no longer be able to protect her from the cold hearted truth of the world in which they live. As their life as a family will be inevitably changed. As Freland's Birthday draws near, Angus and Drisheen's happy façade begins to crumble and they are forced to confront their worse fears. As they ponder their daughters and own mortality. Evoking the primary question, what is the meaning of their existence? Is it solely to provide sustenance to others beings so that they may continue to live in the light of their death? Or does life have more to offer?

THE LOST AND FOUND

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

What causes perfectly innocent children to become not so? What methods can we apply in order to reform those who have become troublesome in their ways? When a group of young offenders are sent to a church community hall to clear up the aftermath of a kids party, they are sent on a trip down memory lane. They discover a forgotten and lost relic, symbolic of their lost childhood and innocence. While they debate...

What causes perfectly innocent children to become not so? What methods can we apply in order to reform those who have become troublesome in their ways? When a group of young offenders are sent to a church community hall to clear up the aftermath of a kids party, they are sent on a trip down memory lane. They discover a forgotten and lost relic, symbolic of their lost childhood and innocence. While they debate over what to do with the uncovered artefact, a probation officer and priest debate over what should be done to prevent future miscreant behaviour.

BUMP AHEAD!

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

A young couple on their way to have a baby aborted become stuck in heavy traffic. The longer they sit and wait, the more they begin to contemplate the action they are about to take. Second guessing their decisions. Is the heavy traffic preventing them from reaching the hospital a sign? Or has their just been an accident up ahead? Perhaps the real accident was falling pregnant in the first place. Once the couple...

A young couple on their way to have a baby aborted become stuck in heavy traffic. The longer they sit and wait, the more they begin to contemplate the action they are about to take. Second guessing their decisions. Is the heavy traffic preventing them from reaching the hospital a sign? Or has their just been an accident up ahead? Perhaps the real accident was falling pregnant in the first place. Once the couple reach the end of the road, they have an important decision to make, the direction they choose to head, will ultimately shape their future together.

PETER PAN PARADOX

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

In the wake of a bereavement, two siblings revisit a place which holds fond childhood memories for them. Honouring a yearly family tradition. However, with the family depleting, and rapid changes to the environment, the place they once held so sacred, is no longer the place they remember. Is the true meaning of moving forward being able to let go of the past, or being able to embrace it with new found...

In the wake of a bereavement, two siblings revisit a place which holds fond childhood memories for them. Honouring a yearly family tradition. However, with the family depleting, and rapid changes to the environment, the place they once held so sacred, is no longer the place they remember. Is the true meaning of moving forward being able to let go of the past, or being able to embrace it with new found understanding?

@t @ll (At All)

by Darrel Draper

Synopsis

When three strangers from three generations cross paths with cross words, their lives begin to spiral out of control. As their fates are left in the hands of the general public.........What should have been a private conversation, becomes something for the viral vultures to pick apart..........To the point no one is left unscathed.

But who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist in this story.........In a...

When three strangers from three generations cross paths with cross words, their lives begin to spiral out of control. As their fates are left in the hands of the general public.........What should have been a private conversation, becomes something for the viral vultures to pick apart..........To the point no one is left unscathed.

But who is the protagonist and who is the antagonist in this story.........In a world filled with fake news, fakes smiles and fake allies, who, or what, can TRULY be trusted? Is social media enslaving us all? Are our phones the chains that bind us? Or the tool used to liberate?