Olivier award nominated playwright Isley Lynn will facilitate Outside Edge Theatre Company’s
summer intermediate script writing group, Write Two.
Isley Lynn won the Charles Wintour Most Promising Playwright Award at the Evening Standard
Theatre Awards 2023 for The Swell, which was also nominated for Outstanding Achievement in an
Affiliate Theatre at the 2024 Oliviers, as well as Best New Play, Best Director, and Best Production at
the 2023 Off West End Awards. Their play Skin A Cat was awarded Pick of the Year at Vault Festival
2016 and nominated for four Off West End Awards for its transfer as inaugural production at The
Bunker, before touring nationally.
Isley Lynn comments, I’m thrilled to be working with Outside Edge on Write Two. Making
programmes like this accessible to those who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to take part is so
important, and their values of using creativity to support recovery are close to my heart. I’m really
excited to work with the talented writers they’ve assembled.
Outside Edge Theatre Company’s Write Two project is a 12-week intermediate writing course that,
this year, is being run by highly renowned writer Isley Lynn. The course allows participants a
fantastic opportunity to take their writing to the next level and create a finished piece of work. Over
12 sessions, Isley will teach different writing skills, exploring topics such as structure, dialogue and
character. Being part of Write Two requires a minimum of three months continuous commitment
to one of Outside Edge Theatre Company’s drop-in groups.
Celebrating their 25th anniversary this year, Outside Edge Theatre Company are known for
developing cutting edge theatre productions and supporting people affected by addiction through
the performing arts. Outside Edge Theatre Company produces theatre about issues related to
addiction, from substance misuse to problem gambling, and provides free drama workshops to help
support those in recovery and people affected by addiction. With drug addiction and substance
misuse in the news more than ever, with the lingering effects of the pandemic and cost of living
crisis causing a 204% increase in the need for Outside Edge Theatre Company recovery services, and
the increase in dangerous, manufactured illegal substances, Outside Edge Theatre Company’s work
is vital to supporting those in recovery.
Participation and Operations Manager, Naomi Hopkins comments, I’m absolutely delighted that
Isley Lynn will be leading Outside Edge’s Write Two project this year. The knowledge and insight that
Isley will share from their own writing career, as well as their extensive facilitation experience,
means this course will be of the highest quality and an invaluable experience for these early stage
writers to grow and hone their craft. I can’t wait to read the work these 10 writers produce under
Isley’s guidance. We are so grateful for Isley’s support of the work that Outside Edge does and
getting to work so closely with them over this 12 week course will be a life changing experience for
the participants.