Nell Leyshon

Writer

Biography

Nell Leyshon is an award-winning playwright and novelist. She has written extensively for stage and radio. Her first stage play The Farm was runner up for the Meyer Whitworth Award. Her second play, Comfort me with Apples, won an Evening Standard Award for the most promising playwright, was shortlisted for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award, and nominated for an Olivier Award.

Her play Bedlam was the first play written by a woman to be performed at Shakespeare’s Globe. Her play Folk was on at Hampstead Theatre, London, twice, and broke box office records. Folk was nominated for an Olivier Award.

Her first novel, Black Dirt was long-listed for the Orange Prize and runner up for the Commonwealth Prize Her third novel, The Colour of Milk, won the Book of the Year in Spain, the Prix de l’Union Interalliee and was nominated for the Prix Femina. It has been published worldwide.

Nell has screenplays in development, including an adaptation of her novel The Colour of Milk, and an adaptation of her play Folk.

Nell is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature and a Trustee of Shakespeare’s Globe.

Credits

In Development

Production Company Notes
THE COLOUR OF MILK Garbo Productions

For Film

FOLK Moonspun Films
THE SINGING SCHOOL Perro Azul
BANGER With Amy Hodge

Theatre

Production Company Notes
THE COLOUR OF MILK
2023 – 2024
Tanttaka (Spain)

Director: Fernando Bernues

FOLK
2021 – 2022
Hampstead Theatre

Director: Roxana Silbert
Nominated for an Olivier Award

TERRA/EARTH
2019
National Theatre Connections
THREE LETTERS
2018
RSC
BARRO
2017
Gran Teatro (Lima, Peru)
THE WORD
2016
RADA
THE BEAUTY MANIFESTO
2011
National Theatre Connections
WINTER
2011
Theatre Newfoundland Labrador
BEDLAM
2010
Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Director: Jessica Swale

DON'T LOOK NOW
2007
Sheffield Theatres/ LyricHammersmith

Director: Lucy Bailey
Adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier’s short story

GLASS EELS
2007
Hampstead Theatre

Shortlisted for Spinx Brave New Roles Award

COMFORT ME WITH APPLES
2005
Hampstead Theatre

Director: Lucy Bailey
Winner of the Charles Wintour Award for Most Promising Playwright – Evening Standard Awards 2005
Nominated for Susan Smith Blackburn Award
Nominated for an Olivier Award

THE FARM
2002
Southwark Playhouse/Regional Tour

Director: Sean Aita
Runner-up Meyer-Whitworth award 2003

Radio

Production Company Notes
FOLK
2021
BBC Radio 3

Director: Sue Roberts

THREE LETTERS
2018
BBC Radio 3/Edinburgh Festival

Director: Sue Roberts

JESS'S STORY
2012
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
Women’s Hour series for Children in Need

THE COLOUR OF MILK
2012
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

IRON CURTAIN
2011
BBC Radio

Director: Sue Roberts
Women’s Hour series

SONS
2009
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts

WAR BRIDE
2006
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

BLACK DIRT
2006
BBC Radio 3

Director: Sue Roberts
90 minute adaptation of novel

THE SOLDIER
2005
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

THE HOUSE IN THE TREES
2004
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

MICHAEL
2004
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

THE HOME FIELD
2003
BBC Radio 3

Director: Sue Roberts
75 minute drama documentary

GLASS EELS
2003
BBC Radio 4

Director: Sue Roberts
45 minutes

MILK
2001
BBC Radio 4

Director: Jeremy Mortimer
Joint winner of the Richard Imison Award 2003

Nell Leyshon
Nell Leyshon
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