How It Works... Radio Plays
Every year the BBC needs hundreds of new radio plays. This is a very open market for new work by new writers.
Maybe your story or your idea is better suited to this medium – we can help you get there. 
Send us your manuscript and within two weeks we will send you a detailed, 2000 word (about four pages) report which covers –
- Dialogue – imagine actors saying your lines: does it sound real?
- Humour is essential – where can you bring it out?
- Scene structure – what should happen next?
- Plot – do you have enough story?
- Focus – whose story is it? Who is the protagonist?
- Characterisation – it all needs to come out in what they say
- Pacing – is it happening fast enough?
- It’s for radio – what could make your play uniquely suited to this medium?
- Detailed analysis of a scene – what can you cut?
- Examples of comparative radio scripts
- Finally, where might your play fit into the BBC radio output. Unlike books there is a much more precisely defined marketplace and each BBC slot requires a certain type of play, at a certain length. We will steer your play to fit into one of these
We can also advise on how to make your first approach to the BBC Radio Drama Department or to independent producers.
Follow up meetings
It can be helpful to discuss the report in person. We are happy to arrange one hour tutorials to follow up reports and any subsequent questions you have in person or on the phone.
These conversations can be immeasurably helpful in exploring your particular writing practices and directing you towards more productive methods.
“I attended an Arvon course run by Jonathan. I found it excellent
- someone with a clear mind and lots of experience taking
a sensible and practical approach to the business of writing.
As a result of this I sent him two plays to read and again
his comments and advice were excellent. Largely as a result of this,
both plays were produced in the professional theatre.”
John Barrett