{"product_id":"9781350429468","title":"Notes from a Working-Class Playwright","description":"Author: Butler, Leo\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781350429468\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Bloomsbury\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 25 Dec 2025\u003cbr\u003ePages: 232 Format: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAward-winning British playwright Leo Butler looks back over 25 of writing for the stage and his extensive experience teaching and mentoring emerging playwrights through the Royal Court Young Writers' Programme.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e With honesty and humour, Leo Butler shares his experiences from his working-class upbringing in Sheffield, including his disastrous state education, his years on the dole, to his breakthrough into the professional theatre industry.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e This personal account criss-crosses his life and career, exploring the influences and experiences that informed critically acclaimed plays such as \u003ci\u003eRedundant\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eI'll Be the Devil, Lucky Dog \u003c\/i\u003eand, more recently, \u003ci\u003eBoy\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Throughout, Butler includes a wealth of tips and practical exercises, tried and tested on his students, to help the reader with their own playwriting development; discusses the challenges of how to actually make a living from this work; and considers how the landscape has changed today from 25 years ago.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Through recollections of collaborations with professional peers and ex-students (including Polly Stenham, Anya Reiss, and Nick Payne), Leo Butler gives an insight into the intricacies of the early 21st century theatre scene in which playwriting skills were developed and shared. He also includes excerpts from personal rejection letters, rehearsal notes and his notebooks to bring his playwriting journey to life.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Brutally honest, often surreal, often funny, this book will entertain and inspire anyone who has ever thought of writing, a play, or is interested in the life and practice of a playwright.","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46655854805150,"sku":"UBD-9781350429468","price":44.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781350429468.jpg?v=1774835559","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781350429468","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}