Roger Parsley UK-based Playwright, published and internationally acclaimed.
Saturday 5 February 2011
Biography
Roger took a teaching degree at Exeter University, and after serving as Head of Drama and Head of English for a few years at Secondary level, he trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He then became a Drama Adviser in Essex, being based at The Playhouse Theatre in Harlow, where his theatre writing became an important part of his life. He has worked as a director and writer in both Theatre-In Education and Youth Theatre, and was closely associated with the nationally-touring SNAP Theatre Company, as a writer and director, for more than 20 years.
His many classic adaptations include “Brideshead Revisited” and “Sense And Sensibility”, and these, together with two of his musical plays – “All For Your Delight” and “The End Of The Pier Show” – are published by Samuel French Ltd.
For Starshine Music he has written the very popular schools musical nativity “Jesus’ Christmas Party” and two versions (one for schools, and one full-length) of an original musical, based on pantomime characters, called “Panto Pandemonium“.
His adaptation, with Andy Graham, of E.M. Forster’s “Maurice”
recently had two very successful runs at the Above The Stag Theatre in
Victoria, London, and will this autumn be seen in San Francisco, at the
New Conservatory Theatre, while his version of Hanif Kureishi’s “My Beautiful Laundrette” (Also written with Andy Graham) is to run at the Above The Stag in March and April 2011.
Roger regularly directs with the Norwich-based touring company
Transaction Theatre, and has written for, and directed with, both the
Sewell Barn and the Maddermarket theatres in his home city of Norwich.
Roger’s leisure activities include playing folk music and running
(though never at the same time!) and he is a life-long supporter of, and
season ticket holder with, the Canaries – Norwich City Football Club!
At present, he and Andy Graham are working on an exciting new musical.
Plays
Please click on the name of the play below to read about the publishing, royalty and first production details, along with a brief synopsis about each.
Musicals
Roger’s musicals include works written for adults to perform, as well as pieces designed to be played by, and/or performed to, children in schools and theatres. Click on the title below for production history, contact details for each publisher, and information on how to obtain scripts for each title.
For further details about any of Roger Parsley’s plays or musicals, please get in touch using the contact form on his website.