About me

I'm a writer who grew up in the Midlands and now lives in Bristol. In 2019 my play Shook won the Papatango New Writing Prize and the 2021 Times Breakthrough Award at the Southbank Show Sky Arts Awards.

My Plays

Shook


Synopsis:

Instead of GCSEs, Cain, Riyad and Jonjo got sentences. Locked up in a young offender institution, they trade sweets, chat shit, kill time – and await fatherhood.

Grace's job is to turn these teenagers into parents, ready to take charge of their futures. But can they grow up quickly enough to escape the system?


Number of Characters: 4


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 4


Length (in Pages): 96


Location: Young Offenders Institute


Key Words: Young people, masculinity


Has the Play Been Produced? Yes


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? Yes


Award nominations/wins: Papatango New Writing Prize 2019 Sky Arts Southbank Show Times Breakthrough Award 2021


Reviews:

'A fantastic debut... boy it punches home'
Thomas Sutcliffe - Saturday Review, BBC Radio 4

'One of the most important theatrical debuts of the decade'
BritishTheatre.com

'Both laugh-out-loud funny and brutally honest, catching you off-guard with touching moments when you least expect it... funny, down-to-earth, and with a lot to say'
WhatsOnStage

'A delicate and deliberately paced character study... the dialogue is bitterly funny... a moving and absorbing piece of work'
The Stage

Sorry, You're Not a Winner


Synopsis:

Liam and Fletch grew up together. Born on the same street. Best mates since primary. Inseparable. The only difference was while Fletch was getting suspended from school, Liam was studying. And now he's going to Oxford. But with Liam gone, who's going to keep Fletch out of trouble?

Sorry, You're Not a Winner explores aspiration, social mobility and getting caught between classes. It asks: if 'making it' means leaving everything you know and everyone you love behind – what's the point?


Number of Characters: 4


Minimum Number of Actors Required: 4


Length (in Pages): 80


Location: Multiple locations


Key Words: Male friendship


Has the Play Been Produced? Yes


Are the Rights Available? Yes


Has the Play Been Published? Yes


Award nominations/wins:


Reviews:

'An intricate and moving study of social mobility... gripping and nuanced... Bailey continues his development as one of the most socially engaged writers working in theatre today'
The Guardian

'Authentic banter and bravado make this a hit'
The Times

Profile Photo
Samuel Bailey
@ samueldbailey

Agent Details

Kate Prentice, 42MP

Contact