Ben Weatherill

Hiya!

My name is Ben. My three biggest passions in life are Desperate Housewives, Wicked and Audrey the Labrador. I’m a writer based in the East Midlands.

My debut full-length play, CHICKEN DUST was written whilst I was playwright in residence at the Curve Theatre, in my hometown of Leicester. Chicken Dust premiered at the Finborough Theatre, before transferring to the Curve as part of their InsideOut Festival.

The follow up, JELLYFISH, was developed with The National Theatre Studio. It premiered at The Bush Theatre and was nominated for four Offfies (Most Promising New Playwright, Best Male in a Supporting Role, Best Set Design and Best Sound Design). Additionally, the play was shortlisted for the Writers' Guild Award for Best Play and listed as one of The Stage’s best plays of 2018. Jellyfish transferred to the National Theatre the following summer.

FRANK and PERCY premiered at the Theatre Royal Windsor/Bath in 2023, and starred Ian McKellen and Roger Allam. The play transferred to The Other Palace in London and played to sold out audiences. The show was also nominated for a Sky Arts Award in the Times Breakthrough Artist category.

For television, I am developing projects with Balloon Entertainment, Motive Pictures, Imaginarium and Red Planet Pictures.

I’ve worked with young people in both theatrical and educational settings for almost a decade, both in a creative and pastoral capacity. Additionally, I love to run workshops and playwriting courses and have done so for the National Theatre, Central School of Speech and Drama, Masterclass, The Dukes, Eastern Angles Theatre Company, HighTide, Almeida Theatre, Curve Theatre and The Roundhouse.

My sweet spot’s reserved for stories with unforgettable characters, that make you laugh before the tears prick at the back of your eyes.

All of my plays are published by Methuen Drama.