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John Binnie

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Contact: [email protected]
Local authority: Glasgow City
Languages: English
Author type: Playwright
John Binnie's headshot

I am a freelance playwright and theatre director. I have written over 30 plays, which have toured all over the country, and abroad, taking new Scottish work to America, Germany, India, Namibia, Nigeria and Singapore. Performances were always backed up by community outreach work, where I developed many performances with local groups. My plays have won three Edinburgh Fringe First awards and the Independent Theatre award. Two plays have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4.

I run practical playwriting workshops, working with participants at all levels of experience and background. I work a lot with vulnerable participants, including autistic youngsters, adults with addiction issues and those with a physical disability or mental health issues. I believe everyone has a story to tell. Writing can change and enrich lives, giving participants a confidence and strength. Workshops are open to all, and are fun as well as stimulating and informative.

Local authorities will visit

Aberdeen City; Aberdeenshire; Angus; Argyll and Bute; Clackmannanshire; Dumfries and Galloway; Dundee; East Ayrshire; East Dunbartonshire; East Lothian; East Renfrewshire; Edinburgh City; Falkirk; Fife; Glasgow City; Highland; Inverclyde; Midlothian; Moray; Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles); North Ayrshire; North Lanarkshire; Orkney Islands; Perth and Kinross; Renfrewshire; Scottish Borders; Shetland; South Ayrshire; South Lanarkshire; Stirling; West Dunbartonshire; West Lothian

Events will deliver

Mentoring; Panel event; Performance; Reading; Residency; Talk; Workshop; Professional development, CLPL or CPD

Audience will work with

Adult learners; Care-experienced people; Carers; Intergenerational learning; Outdoor learning; Adults with additional support needs; People experiencing mental health problems; People living with dementia; Prisoners & young offenders; Reluctant readers; Vulnerable young people (under 18); Vulnerable adults; Vulnerable older people; Young people in the community (e.g. Youth clubs, Guides, Scouts); Young people with additional support needs (under 18) (ASN/SEN)

Topics of work

Activism & protest; Adolescence; Ageing; Biography & memoir; Care experience; Characters of colour & BAME characters; Childhood; Class & society; Death, grief & bereavement; Discrimination & prejudice; Drug addiction, alcoholism & substance abuse; Editing & editing your own work; Family; First experiences for younger readers; Friendship; Gender equality; Health including mental health & wellbeing; History; Human rights; LGBTQIA+ characters; Loneliness & isolation; Love & romance; Music; Performance training; Poverty; Urban communities

Age groups published for

Children; Teens; Adults

Age groups will work with

0-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-18; 18+

Audience size

0-10; 11-30