About me

Alex is a writer from Oxford. His short-form work has been produced at theatres like Southwark Playhouse, Park Theatre and Pleasance Theatre, and his play FIT was longlisted for the Papatango Prize and highly commended by the Royal Court and National Theatre. He staged his first full-length play Phalanx, about a five-a-side football team that gets stranded on a minibus in the wilderness, at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in June 2024 and received a Standing Ovation Award nomination from London Pub Theatres. Alex is also an actor. His credits include NewsRevueRed Pill and Strangers in Between, for which he received a Newcomer nomination at the 2024 OffWestEnd Awards.

My Plays

FIT


Synopsis:

Niamh thinks that a few months as a personal trainer will get her career back on track, until an unorthodox interview makes her realise - this is no normal gym. PB Gym prides itself on tough, no-bullshit fitness and a loose relationship with scientific fact, led by its 'alpha male' owner Jake. As the gym's social media presence rockets the company towards fitness empire status, Niamh battles with physical and mental burnout, wondering; what are you willing to sacrifice to be the best?


Number of Characters: 5


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 5


Length (in Pages): 66


Location: A gym


Key Words: dark comedy, health, fitness, body image, social media, business, power


Has the Play Been Produced? No


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? No


Award nominations/wins:


Reviews:

'A brilliantly compelling comedy drama...characterisation is particularly strong...excellent use of subtext' - Bush Theatre

'A pacey and engaging play that we thoroughly enjoyed reading' - Royal Court Theatre

'Intense and fun energy' - Top 40 Longlisted out of 1500 entries for Papatango Prize 2022

Highly commended by National Theatre

Phalanx


Synopsis:

All that Riverside College's five-a-side football team is thinking about is bringing a championship home - that is, until a flat tyre leaves them stranded in the Dutch wilderness. As their teacher abandons them to find help, seven boys try to get through the night without tearing each other - or themselves - apart. Night falls and tensions simmer as these teenagers wonder: what does it really mean to back your boys?


Number of Characters: 7


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 7


Length (in Pages): 43


Location: A minibus


Key Words: young people, young men, masculinity, coming-of-age, puberty, bullying


Has the Play Been Produced? Yes


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? No


Award nominations/wins: Nominated for a Standing Ovation Award by London Pub Theatres


Reviews:

‘layered, touching and very funny’ – London Pub Theatres
‘the wrong-footing of the audience is what makes this play work so effectively … gripping theatre’ – The Reviews Hub

Profile Photo
Alex Ansdell
@ pompenguin

Location

London & Oxford

Contact