Our play But For Us is a celebration of our NHS and those who are willing to fight for it. What better time to be planning a tour of the UK, with a show that recognises all the wonderful people who have been working tirelessly accross the health and social care sector, particularly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Check out our new trailer, recorded during the public sharing at the Bush Theatre Studio, following our R&D week at the Old Diorama Arts Centre, last September. Si

Last week we held our research and development week for But For Us at the Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC), culminating in a staged reading at the Bush Theatre for community and campaigners, and an Industry showing at ODAC. This slideshow requires JavaScript. We had a phenomenal group of actors who worked their socks off to interrogate the script and develop the characters, under the watchful eye and skillful direction of Fiona MacPherson. We are extremely grateful to them for

After months of preparation, our R&D week is finally here! We are delighted to welcome a wonderful group of actors to work on the But For Us script with playwrights Ali Kemp & Deborah Klayman and director Fiona McPherson at the Old Diorama Arts Centre (ODAC), where Whoop ‘n’ Wail are Associate Performers. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Our sharing evening for campaigners and community at the Bush Theatre studio on Thursday 12th September is already sold out, ahead of our

There are 3 days to go on the But For Us Kickstarter campaign, and we are so close to achieving our goal. Thank you so much to everyone who has already pledged and supported us so far – you are a brilliant bunch of backers! We’ve raised 70% of our target so far – please help us with the final push. We need to get the But For Us message to as many people as possible, so if you are able to share the project on social media or with friends and family we would be very grateful. K

We have been busy bees here at Whoop ‘n’ Wail HQ. Following our fantastic table read of But For Us in January, we have been hard at work putting together a phenomenal team to take the play to the next stage. SUPPORT BUT FOR US Welfare’s in a state and the pensioners are revolting. 75-year-old Dora Cockburn is a life-long campaigner, fighting to save the NHS from the politicians and privateers with only a packet of biscuits and partner-in-crime Ray to help her. Now her estrang

In December we put out a casting call for a table read of our new play But For Us. We are delighted to say that it is now fully cast. We want to say a huge thank you to everyone that liked and shared our casting call out, for spreading the word and making the world a little smaller. We had a blast watching the showreels and clips from all the actors who got in touch with their CVs. Thank you so much to all of you for showing such interest in our project. We are looking forwar

Whoop ‘n’ Wail Theatre are casting 8 actors (ages between 40 – 80, including specifically BAME) for a one-day table read of a brand new play, But For Us, by award winning playwrights Ali Kemp and Deborah Klayman. This is an unpaid opportunity for actors with a passion for new writing and an interest in the welfare state, social inclusion and politics. The plan for the day will be a read through followed by a discussion, then work on individual sections as decided by the direc

Excuses, excuses. There’s always something, isn’t there? “It’s a great idea but I’m really busy at the moment?” “I’d love to but I’ve got so much on, you wouldn’t believe!” “I would but I’m completely snowed under. Next time.” Well, I guess this was us. We’d known about Theatre Uncut for some time. It’s a theatrical call to arms, originally in response to the 2011 cuts in public spending. Every year, Hannah Price and Emma Callander of Theatre Uncut make a number of short poli

Dora Cockburn, 72, from Shepherds Bush, London, is one of the Windrush Generation. A grandmother and retired social worker, she always enjoys a natter with her friends over a cuppa and a good biscuit. When the biscuits are down, however, she spends the majority of her time indulging in a spot of anarchy. Dora is an activist, hell-bent on protecting the NHS from the forces of privatisation. Her son is a Conservative MP, and Minster for Health and Social Care. Welfare’s a state

In 2016, as part of their Shakespeare 400 commemorations, Cambridge University Press invited submission of short plays inspired by the works of the Bard. Ali Kemp and Deborah Klayman of Whoop ‘n’ Wail Theatre Company submitted their short play, My Bloody Laundrette to the “Channel the Bard” competition, and were delighted to win! The full interview and playscript can be found here. An Interview with Whoop ‘n’ Wail Theatre Company Deborah Klayman & Ali Kemp (L-R). Photo credit

Tickets for Whoop ‘n’ Wail Represents…Mayday are now on sale! Don’t forget that there is a £2 discount on tickets booked in advance via our friends at Waterloo East Theatre: www.waterlooeast.co.uk. We have a line up of fantastic new plays and fabulous directors which will all be announced shortly, so remember to watch this space! #WhoopnWailRepresents #WaterlooEastTheatre #stewartcalladine #whoopnwail #newwriting #genderequality #WhoopnWail #theatre #WhoopnWailRepresentsMayda

Whoop ‘n’ Wail are delighted to announce the six successful playwrights for their February showcase: Whoop ‘n’ Wail Represents…Desire. We have been absolutely delighted with the response to our open submission brief, with almost seventy brand new plays from all over the world winging their way to the Whoop ‘n’ Wail submissions inbox. Our reading team received scripts from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA, and were overwhelmed by the innovation and talent shown

Whoop ‘n’ Wail are getting ready to announce the successful playwrights, selected from responses to our open submission brief. Our reading team has received almost seventy scripts from both sides of the Atlantic and beyond: brand new plays from Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, the UK and the USA. Currently they are still  locked in debate over which of our ten shortlisted submissions should make the final cut, but tomorrow at 17:00 is the absolute deadline and we will announce h

What is Represents…? With brand new plays from both male and female writers, Represents… is a showcase with a difference. Whoop ‘n’ Wail have committed to achieving gender equality on the UK stage by creating a night of entertaining, engaging theatre with all plays having significant roles for women. Consisting of six short plays, each piece of writing must pass the Bechdel Test – they must include at least two named female characters who, at some stage, talk to each other ab