Old proposals
Mainterm
Saint Joan
The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde is a play in which the characters create elaborate cover stories in order to pursue more pleasurable pastimes. Wilde explores and examines what he believes to be the trivialities of...
Fahrenheit 451 *Successful*
Fahrenheit 451 is Ray Bradbury’s own stage adaptation of his classic pulp sci-fi novel of the same name. First published in 1953, it tells the story of Guy Montag, a fireman whose job is to burn books which have been outlawed...
Metamorphoses *Successful*
Ovid’s Metamorphoses are a collection of myths and tales based on the theme of change. Zimmerman’s script is hilarious and beautiful take on these: they become timeless yet relevant pictures of our lives: poignant, funny,...
Snow, Glass, Apples *Successful*
They say that history is written by the victors. That is certainly the case with 'Snow White'. The truth is something darker, messier and far, far more sinister. 'Snow, Glass, Apples' finally tells the true story behind the...
Blood Wedding
‘Blood Wedding’, or ‘Bodas de Sangre’ in the original Spanish by playwright and poet Federico Garcia Lorca, is a story of honour, family, and the impossibility of desire. Centred on three families and the surrounding...
The Caucasian Chalk Circle *Successful*
Brecht’s ‘The Caucasian Chalk Circle’ follows the journey of Grusha, maid at the palace of governor Georgi Abashvilli. When civil war breaks out the governor is executed and his narcissistic wife flees the country,...
Twelfth Night *Successful*
Twelfth Night, one of the greatest plays ever written in the English language, is a tale of lust, loss and confusion. Whilst Lovers fall in and out of love, a pack of Fools rush round, mocking and subverting their passions, hopes...
Blood Wedding
An Andalucian village prepares the wedding of two of its children: a young man whose father and brother were killed in a blood feud, and a young woman with an unspent passion. As preparations are underway to unite these two...
The Elephant Man *Successful*
Bernard Pomerance’s The Elephant Man tells the true story of the Victorian side-show freak, John Merrick, adapted from his doctor’s case notes. The play opened to critical acclaim, winning all the major drama awards,...
Superfarce
In a world where superheroes are real a year has passed since crime-fighting team The Super Squad disbanded - but former member Brad Ford wants to see the gang reunited. Arranging a meeting at a hotel, the heroes are unaware...
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe *Successful*
C. S. Lewis’ fairy tale is brought on stage in an adaptation by Glyn Robbins. A timeless tale of childhood, magic and sacrifice, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe appeals to all generations. We are hoping to take this...
The Sugar Syndrome
From the start this play is funny and gripping. The dialogue is fast paced and witty, and the ending of the play is shocking. The play would be a challenge for the actors as it contains a scene of a sexual nature, a scene...
Saint Joan
Saint Joan by Bernard Shaw is based on the life and trial of Joan of Arc, a condemned heretic who was later canonised by the Church. Saint Joan explores the boundaries of faith and miracles in Joan of Arc’s incredible...
The Glass Menagerie *Successful*
One of the finest and most subtly affecting works of one of the twentieth century's great dramatists, bringing The Glass Menagerie to the Bedlam stage would be a fitting tribute on the 100th anniversary of Tennessee William's...
The Epic of Gilgamesh
The Epic of Gilgamesh is the earliest example of the heroic epic, and this tale inspired and shaped Western literature and its views of heroes and saviours. It follows the gods-defying adventures and monster-slaying deeds of...
A Clockwork Orange *Successful*
Anthony Burgess' iconic dystopian novel is brought to life on stage in an adaptation promising to explore the very basest natures of its characters. Violent, dark and wonderfully insane, A Clockwork Orange tells a story of a...
Amadeus *Successful*
The production aims to take in all artistic forms, including music, physical theatre, realism, incredible technical design and integration of live and recorded sound elements.
A Streetcar Named Desire *Successful*
A truly timeless drama of sexuality and faded ideals, Tennessee Williams' play is a classic. Fragile, faded southern belle Blanche is in real need of someplace to call her own and for that vision of romance she desperately clings...
Dealer's Choice *Successful*
Dealers's choice is a three act black comedy circling around a restaurant which houses a tight-nit community of colleagues and poker players. Stephen owns and runs the establishment while also managing his three main members of...
Taking Sides
Berlin, 1946. Major Steve Arnold, of the American occupation force, is an official involved in "de-nazification" investigations. He was present at the liberation of Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. Wilhelm...
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is one of the most celebrated novels of all time, and continues to hold the attention and admiration of readers almost 200 years after it was written. The story focuses on Elizabeth Bennet, one...
Fibbing
Since the beginning of time, twas written in the stones that one day a show would come. Well that show has come and now it is here to come again . . . in your drama hole
Noises Off
Michael Frayn's classic farce blurs the lines between the onstage action and the real life relationships between the cast members backstage. It is a fast-paced masterpiece of comic engineering and is both hilarious and extremely...
Macbeth *Successful*
Widely viewed as one of the most impressive works of art in the English literary canon, Macbeth is a horrifying examination of ambition foully played for, and the ensuing consequences to both individual and collective. Macbeth, a...
The Jungle Book *Successful*
Rudyard Kipling's beloved children's classic tells of a boy hunted by a man-eating tiger before being rescued and raised by a wolf pack. From here he encounters a tribe of psychotic monkeys, a jackal infected by madness and a...
What Alfred The Butler Saw
In a world where superheroes are real a year has passed since crime-fighting team The Super Squad disbanded - but former member Brad Ford wants to see the gang reunited. Arranging a meeting at a hotel, the heroes are unaware that...
Lunchtime
Vatnsdal *Successful*
An original piece adapting the ancient Icelandic "Saga of the People of Vatnsdal" for the stage. Full of blood, fighting, drinking, and poetry, Vatnsdal examines the concepts of honor, kinship, vengeance, and murder...
Posh *Successful*
This is a play about money, booze and violence. First performed at the Royal Court, Laura Wade's satire of Oxford's uber-exclusive Bullingdon club for the super-rich is both hilarious and horrific in equal measure. It begins with...
Deadpan
FRESHERS' SLOT. Flint & Sons' employee Anna walks into the display room to find a coffin they had previously sold back in the middle of the room. Not knowing what to do, the staff call on Lily, the woman who bought the coffin...
The Good Person of Szechuan *Successful*
"The Good Person of Szechuan" is Brecht's play detailing the struggle of a young prostitute, Shen Teh, to live a good life after being gifted with a tobacco shop by the gods. However, her altruistic instincts are...
Crave *Successful*
FRESHER’S SLOT We want to put on this play because it is one of the most beautiful and emotive pieces of writing, ever! It is dark, it is twisted but there is no clear moral judgement on what is good and what is bad, it is...
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is a beautiful piece of writing that presents human relationships through a new paradigm: Physics! The use of fascinating theories that explain atomic particles to understand unpredictable and illogical human behavior...
World on Wheels *Successful*
FRESHERS SLOT This play is very creepy, but in a surprisingly enjoyable way. A woman runs a business on a university campus through which you can hire a person to pretend to be whoever you want him or her to be. This can be a...
The House *Successful*
This is a re-proposal of 'The House', a piece of original writing by David Elms. Last term it was submitted late by accident. Set in Bedlam Theatre, it covers the hour before the opening of a controversial and autobiographical...
Black Comedy *Successful*
FRESHERS' SLOT. A team of freshers hope to get Bedlam laughing by staging Black Comedy, which is set in a London flat in the 30s. The main character is an artist who has stolen ("borrowed") posh furniture in order to...
The Power of Yes
On 15 September 2008, capitalism came to a grinding halt. As sub-prime mortgages continued to dominate the headlines, award-winning playwright David Hare wrote 'The Power of Yes'. Part documentary, part play, this formal yet...
Immaculate *Successful*
“It’s God’s baby.” “So...will God be paying child support?” ----------------- Mia is young, free and single. Mia hasn’t had sex for a year. Mia is heavily pregnant. And today Mia is going to find the...
7 Stories *Successful*
‘7 Stories’ is a darkly comic absurdist play by Morris Panych, which sees a lost man confronted by the people inhabiting the building from which he plans to plunge. A series of characters comes to the windows surrounding the...
The House *Successful*
Hello. This is a show set in Bedlam, with a cast of Bedlamites playing themselves. Everyone on the production team will be in the play. How I write it will depend heavily on who auditions. The play is very much an ensemble piece....
Stockholm *Successful*
'Stockholm' is the award winning play by Bryony Lavery which focuses on exploring the fine line between tenderness and cruelty. The title comes from the condition of Stockholm Syndrome, and accordingly Lavery addresses the idea...
Dissidents *Successful*
An original piece of dramatic writing set entirely within one set and scene. Fast-paced and fractured dialogue leads to a situation where two different conversations at tables either side of the stage blend coherently into one....
Dun dun dun...
A piece of original writing with an interesting limitation: no scene can last longer than a minute. Just as in soap operas on TV, no scene will last longer than sixty seconds, forcing a brisk pace on the work. To facilitate this,...
Two Sides of Different Coins
This show is about two characters who both think they are the protagonist; they both can narrate to the audience and they think this is specific to them. This is questioned however by the inclusion of more narrators and the...
L'Avare
A brother excitedly tells his sister he has fallen in love. His sister is thrilled to reveal she has as well. Unfortunately for them they both live with their father. And he just happens to have other plans. A man obsessed with...
A Dream Play *Successful*
Agnes dreams of a life in which everything that should happen to people, happens to her - she marries, has a child, and learns that happiness always comes at a price. Through her encounters with others, she changes her perception...
Tristan & Yseult *Successful*
PLOT “Tristan & Yseult” is a love story. The story begins when the Cornish King, Mark, sends his best knight and surrogate son, Tristan, on a voyage to find Yseult, the sister of his mortal enemy. Tristan arrives...
Armageddonish: The DIY Apocalypse
It’s seems no matter what happens -- global warming, terrorism, killer bees -- the world just isn’t ending fast enough. A group of disgruntled immortals, led by Lucky (the embodiment of Luck) and Madam Entropy (well, you...
Skellig
David Almond’s award winning novel ‘Skellig’ has been adapted for stage to allow the truly magical to take place. Unhappy about his baby sister’s illness and the chaos of moving house, Michael retreats to the garage and...
Murder by the Book
A murder mystery novelist and critic is being pressured by his adulteress wife for a divorce, which he just doesn't want to give her. Being a demanding woman, used to getting what she wants, a situation right out of one of his...
The Cherry Orchard *Successful*
In the decades preceding the fall of the Russian Royal family, the foundations of Russia’s class system were already crumbling; this is portrayed beautifully in Tom Stoppard’s new English version of Chekov’s classic “The...
Stop Hitting Yourself
A young child starts acting out in school- unknown to teachers and social workers, it's because they're being egged on by the monsters beneath the bed, who've taken it upon themselves to fulfill the parental role.
Incidentally
Incidentally is a black comedy concerning the thoughts and reactions of two would-be terrorists after a bungled suicide bombing, as they watch their story unfold on the news. This new writing attempts to side-step the horror of...
Loot
Mr. McLeavy is in mourning while his late wife's scheming nurse, Fay, proposes marriage to him. Wanting to preserve decent moral standards in his home, McLeavy wishes he be allowed two weeks of mourning before being convinced to...
Pygmalion
Pygmalion is an unconventional, extremely witty and liberating play. In a bet with his friend Colonel Pickering, the eminent Professor Henry Higgens takes on the cockney flower-girl Eliza Doolittle, and attempts to instruct her...
Cigarettes and Chocolate *Successful*
A fascinating play from the screenplay writer of “The English Patient”. When Gemma decides to stop talking, her close friends struggle to come to terms with her inexplicable decision. From questioning her motives to...
The Bacchai *Successful*
The Bacchai is the last extant Greek tragedy, is one of the most interesting and is by far one of the best. Not only does it portray the tragedy of an angry man who defies the will of a God, but it also shows the comedic...
Hills and Veils
Hills and Veils is a new piece of writing from an old EUTC member, who has put on three self-written shows (one being a sketch show, two being plays) in previous years. It's simplistic set focuses attention on the characters,...
The Pitchfork Disney *Successful*
The Pitchfork Disney is a classic nineties play - dark, promiscuous, creepy and fun. In this production, we want to return to this spirit and present it to the audience in a manner that befits the anger and passion it was written...
The Strasse *Successful*
'The Strasse' is a piece of new writing by Tash Frost, and promises to be an exciting production. The number of characters will allow a lot of actors to get involved, particularly as seven parts are non-gender specific. The tech...
On the Bridge
On the Bridge is a one-act play set mostly in a hospital waiting room. The play is structured non-linearly, moving back and forth between an argument between a former couple and the events that lead to it. Tech and staging are...
Disappear *Successful*
Sara is no longer an adult suffering from depression. She's just died and in this hour immediately after her death she shares with us, and Bryan, her biggest fears, her past and a future you wouldn't expect. An honest attempt to...
Gorilla Radio
‘Gorilla radio’ kicks off after a previously semi-legal DJ airs his first show with a major radio network. This gains him a respectable audience and the praise of his prickly new boss. This is the happiest he will be for the...
The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged) *Successful*
This is a fast paced comedy utilising 3 performers and minimal set. This play encompasses all of the bard's work with frenetic energy. While the play is prop heavy, the tech is basic and almost everything happens on stage! This...
Hamlet vs Macbeth: There can only be or not be one...
Hamlet and Macbeth are regarded as two of the finest tragedies ever written, but haven't you always wondered which is better? Hamlet - with his bid to avenge his murdered father and dethrone his power-hungry uncle? Or Macbeth -...
Someone Who'll Watch Over Me *Successful*
This is an extremely human drama by design. Over the course of nine scenes, all set in a claustrophobic, isolated cell, the focus is the three men – their trials and tribulations under the watchful eye of unseen, unknown but...
The Business of Murder *Successful*
"The Business of Murder" is a great play which played on the West End for 9 years, by a writer whose thrillers have been compared to the work of Agatha Christie. The three very interesting characters come together in an...
The Weir *Successful*
The Weir is a play written by the Irish playwright Conor McPherson. It is set in a pub in rural Ireland in late winter, and the story's protagonists meet for a little catch-up and to welcome the new girl who has left Dublin for...
Extraordinary
The Improverts *Successful*
The Improverts would be grateful for the opportunity to return to Bedlam this coming year and to continue hosting their weekly Friday night shows, alongside Saturday afternoon workshops (12-2pm). As proven, the show is a great...
????? - unknown - ???? *Successful*
The university's creative writing magazine "PublshED" are running a playwriting competition. Francesco & Rosie Brown will be picking a winning script to be performed in bedlam. Potentially a large cast, however most...
The Road to Canterbury: a Revival of "The Canterbury Tales" *Successful*
One of the greatest works in the history of British Literature, Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales have inspired and influenced the creative world ever since they were written over 600 years ago. Their widespread success, and capacity...
Harry Panto and the Goblet of Fuck Yeah! (In 3d) ((In selected theatre)) (((In Bedlam))) *Successful*
Last year's panto, the Phantom of the Pantomime has left rather big shoes to fill. We hope we've filled them with frivolity, musical numbers and explosions, lots of explosions. Seeing as how successful it was to actually have a...
The Improverts *Successful*
The Improverts would be grateful for the opportunity to return to Bedlam this coming year and to continue hosting their weekly Friday night shows, alongside Saturday afternoon workshops (12-2pm). As proven, the show is a great...
Freshers' Play 2011! *Successful*
Come September, a whole new group of sweet, innocent and naive Freshers will descend upon the fair city of Edinburgh, and flock to the doors of Bedlam, where we shall welcome them with open arms to the world of theatre, teaching...
The Phantom of the Panto *Successful*
The Phantom of the Panto hopes to inject some energy and grandeur into the Bedlam pantomime tradition, with a script to be written somewhat in advance of the dress run, actors who will know what they're doing before the closing...
Gaslight *Successful*
Patrick Hamilton’s psychological thriller is set in the heart of Victorian London and explores the manipulation of the mind and the boundaries of insanity. While Jack Manningham disappears each night into town, his wife Bella...
The Education of Skinny Spew *Successful*
Skinny Spew is about the inner child within us all, the part of us that rebels against what we are told, against our parents, against authority, that pees in the sea, that is suppressed by society and eduction, and ultimately...
The Improverts *Successful*
The Improverts would be delighted to continue putting on their weekly Friday night shows and Saturday afternoon workshops at Bedlam. The show is a great opportunity to make a lot of money for the society, and the workshops...
Freshers' Play 2010 *Successful*
Okay, kids, so here's the plan. We're going to go out and get ourselves some freshers. They will be categorised, divided into teams and assigned to appropriate captains. Each team will receive two vital tools: the theme of the...
Candlewasters *Successful*
The Candlewasters project was set up to promote new writing at the Bedlam Theatre. It's a great way for new and budding writers to put on plays- and for skilled writers to hone their talent and experiment with new forms of...
Freshers Slot
Death and Taxes *Successful*
Jeff dies and wakes up in a bare waiting room to discover that the afterlife has lost his file. Without a file, the Clerk apologetically informs him, Jeff cannot go to his appointed afterlife. Jeff and three other cosmically...
A Skull in Connemara
A Skull in Connemara is a compelling, uncompromising and brutally funny tragicomedy revolving around the tragic pasts and hoped-for futures of 3 men in a tiny town where everyone knows everyone and no deed good or otherwise goes...
The System of Doctor Tarr & Professor Fether
Adapted from the short stories of the celebrated macabre writer, Edgar Allan Poe, “The System of Dr Tarr & Professor Fether” is a twisted black comedy designed to excite the imagination. The story follows the Narrator's...
Sweet Gay Baby Jesus *Successful*
A piece of original writing on sexuality and the church, 'Sweet Gay Baby Jesus' focuses on a fictional sixth form centre where the LGBT student group and the Christian Union have been given the same meeting space at the same...
Dr Bluebottle's Splendid Symposium of Sound, Speed, and Love
"Dr Bluebottle" for short is a piece of original comic writing featuring the conflict between Bluebottle and his nemesis Tarantula Mason, and Bluebottle's attempts to deal with the aftermath of the conflict. The play is...
Bright. Apple. Crush. *Successful*
'Bright. Apple. Crush.' by Steven Yockey is made up of three intertwining monologues, each focusing on a murder the character has committed and the reasons behind it. Both the tech and set are incredibly simplistic, as this...
Fringe
Caged.
Caged is an exciting piece of fun original writing that was first put on during the student festival and is perfect for The EUTC’s Fringe slot. The story: Caged is about the old hamster Sunshine who has been saved from the...
Remember This? (Working Title) *Successful*
'Remember This?' is an exciting piece of new writing that would be ideal to showcase the EUTC’s skills in acting, design and tech at the Fringe. The play centres on themes of love, memory and loss, exploring them innovatively...
Soldier & Death
“Soldier & Death” is a Russian folk tale focused on duty, divinity and death – the story of a Soldier, loyal to his Tsar and his God, who struggles to find reward, peace and recognition on a journey which leads him to...
The Improverts *Successful*
You know the drill: the Improverts, every night of the Fringe, half past midnight. A whole hour of improvised fun to pull in punters, pack out the café and pave the way to a glorious August night for all involved. We've got a...
Wild Allegations *Successful*
"Wild Allegations" by David K. Barnes and David Leon is a new, fast-paced, deeply cynical drama with lashings of dry, bitter humour, and a dynamic variety of locations achieved via a constantly changing set, with...
The Improverts *Successful*
The Improverts are now entering their third decade of performing improvised comedy at Bedlam Theatre. They play to a packed house every Friday night throughout the year and play every night during the Fringe in August. The show...
Jacob's Ladder
Jacob's ladder is a very dark and slightly twisted comedy about using what you've got to get where you want to be. Does the end justify the means? depends on the means I guess. and the end. It's a play about religious politics,...
A Slacker's Guide to Western Theatre
"Slackers" is what it says on the tin: a guide to the history of Western Theatre from the Greeks to contemporary playwrights. We follow five drama history students whilst they study hard for their exams. There is one...
Festival Proposals
Student Festival *Successful*
The Bedlam Festival is that merry time of the year where you get to introduce new Bedlamites into the society, hang about with old friends and generally have a good time in building. The building will be open all day, serving a...
Freshers' Week *Successful*
Freshers’ Week is the very first event of the year, and a great opportunity to represent what Bedlam is all about; Theatre, learning, and a sense of community. It is one of our main weeks (along with Student Festival), if not...
Freshers' Week *Successful*
Freshers’ Week, the first event of the academic year, is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what Bedlam is all about, and tempt new students to join our theatre. As the only society with its own, dedicated venue, we would use...