The Playpen: Script Editing and Writing Advice

The Playpen is Steve’s script editing consultancy, available to help writers and production companies develop scripts towards production.

Whether you’re a writer looking for feedback, or a company wishing to improve a script, The Playpen offers Steve’s wide experience as a Literary Manager at a number of theatres, including Greenwich Theatre, Croydon Warehouse and The Gate, and four years on The Arts Council’s Theatre Writing Committee.

Several former students have gone on to have work performed professionally, two have won prizes and two been commissioned by the National Theatre. He helped initiate the MA in Playwriting at Goldsmiths College, and his popular course at The City Literary Institute led to ‘Writing A Play’, now in in its fourth edition and fifth language, of which many a heavily-thumbed copy is carried around by writers for stage and TV to this day!

Although a credit is always appreciated, Steve does not seek to assert or modify any of your copyright, economic or moral rights in any documents you supply.

A Reader’s Report - £175

This entitles you to have a script of up to two hours in length read, usually within a fortnight, and returned with an A4 Reader’s Report, giving feedback and advice about how to proceed next.

The Report will point out strengths and problems,and make suggestions where appropriate, with a view to improving the play’s chances with agents, directors and companies, and ultimately more successful production.

Complete Editing - from £295

For companies as well as writers, this can include an extended Reader’s Report which may include line-specific indications of where cuts, additions and amendments may be made, email or postal discussion of the report, and suggestions for the further improvement and marketing of the script.

Personal Consultation

In addition to the above services, it may be possible to arrange one-to-one consultation, the fee for which will vary according to the specific circumstances. Please send scripts with a self-addressed envelope, correct postage and cheque made payable to R S Gooch.