About me

Karen Bartholomew is a playwright, actress, and founder of Motormouse Productions, celebrated for her darkly comedic, socially relevant work. Her play Giving Up Marty, which explores adoption, earned a Vault Festival People’s Choice nomination and acclaim for amplifying marginalised voices. Her work has been featured by Soho Theatre, Paines Plough, NHS Medway, and Pilgrim’s Hospice, and she was a joint recipient of the  StageWrite Award.

Karen’s sharp comedic style has led to recognition, including shortlisting for Old Vic 12, BBC Writer’s Room, and the Blackshaw Showcase Award. Her plays have been produced by  Open Page Productions, Bootleg Theatre, Motormouse Productions, Bootcamp Theatre, and Wireless Theatre. She is published with Wordsmithery.

She is also creating radio comedies like Fifty Shades of Grace and M25…sort of and developing a feminist short film script. Praised for her relatable characters, Karen blends humour with humanity to tackle tough issues. Spy in the Stalls describes her work as “poignant, funny, and deeply human.”

www.motormouseproductions.com

My Plays

Giving up Marty


Synopsis:

Two identities, no identity, identity shattered - the adoption conundrum.

Joel is found by his birth mum and sister. He’s only eighteen and scared. Identity means a lot, particularly to a teenager. His life is about to change forever.


Number of Characters: -3


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 3


Length (in Pages): 75


Location: UK


Key Words: adoption, reunion, identity, teenagers, birth family, adoptive family


Has the Play Been Produced? Yes


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? Yes


Award nominations/wins: Nominated for the Vault's Festival People's Choice Award.


Reviews:

https://www.motormouseproductions.com/reviews-2

God's Waiting Room


Synopsis:

Mother is dying slowly, the wait is unbearable, the pressures insurmountable, the thoughts unbelievable. Surely a gesture towards God’s bigger plan is needed? Sisters, Stella and Connie may be different from one another but share a common and profound love for their mother. Can things really continue as they are?


Number of Characters: 3


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 3


Length (in Pages): 60


Location: South London


Key Words: death, comedy, grief, family, drama, end of life care, pallative care, dignity in death


Has the Play Been Produced? Yes


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? Yes


Award nominations/wins:


Reviews:

www.motormouseproductions.com

Location

London/Kent

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