2024
“A Winters Chill”
- Lead Writer
- Community devised piece and writer development
- Commission from Middlesbrough Town Hall
A Victorian Christmas Ghost story developed as both a showcase but
also a radio play. Community led character and narrative
development.
2023
“Away Fighter“
- Lead Writer
- Short Film submission BFI
- Commission from Briggantia Films
Away Fighter is an exploration of the challenges single parent
families go through. Seen through the eyes of the son Luke –
exploring masculinity and the need to win when all you do is lose.
“Our Karen Rainy Days And Mondays”
- Lead Artist/Writer
- Commission from LIVE Theatre’s Elevate scheme 2021
- ACE funded and supported by ARC Stockton
Three people struggling with their identity tell us of their love for
Karen Carpenter – interweaving stories of body, LGBTQIA+ life and
disability. Co-wrote with two other queer Tees Valley writers.
2022
“A Winter’s Tail”
- Writer
- Commission from Middlesbrough Town Hall
- Delayed from 2021 due to Covid-19
Introducing classical music to children under 7 – a young mouse and
his grandma take a trip in their imaginations without ever leaving the
town hall organ that they live in
“The Fiesta Fawns”
- Writer
- Final MA Project University of York
- Funded by Middlesbrough Theatre
Two Fawns return to the remains of the Club Fiesta, Norton where
the ghosts of their glory days haunt them. Inspired by the glamour
and changes in the 1960’s female ambition, sexism all to the sounds
of the bands that graced the stage.
“In The Footsteps Of Giants”
- Writer
- First show re-opening Middlesbrough Theatre (Workshop Production)
- Longlisted for the RSC’s 37 Plays in 2023
1967, Stella and Michael, stand on the precipice of change as the
world begins to alter, 82 miles apart but both living in the shadow of
their pasts and the risks they will have to take when trying to walk In
The Footsteps Of Giants.
2020 “My Favourite Dress” & “Everyday Is Like Sunday” – part of NE PLAYlist as part of OnstageOnline. Gala Durham and The Assembly Rooms Durham online festival.
2020 “Bussy” – Novo Productions NE Graduate Showcase
2020 “The Fiesta Fawns” “The Gay To Z of Sex” – Work in Progress
2019/20 “Miss Crispy 1988” – Gala Durham, Customs House South Shields, Middlesbrough Theatre – rewrites for anniversary production and small regional tour.
2019 “A Letter To Santa – A Daisy & Dan Adventure – commission for Newham Grange Farm as part of their new refurbishment.
2019 “The Big 4-Oh” – Live Theatre, Newcastle part of 10 minutes to…
2018 “Stella” – Edinburgh Fringe – “Some very lovely writing, I loved the fact it was a play with no side” – Lyn Gardner
2017 “First Foot” commission from Paines Plough as part of Come To Where I’m From
2016 “The Lambton Worm” part of the Summer Reading Challenge, an hour-long piece of site specific theatre for kids, “Miss Ella” commissioned by a local Performing Arts academy to create a special musical for children to perform ages 6-18
2016 “The Last House In Grove Hill” – a workshop production.
2015 “As Told By” – a series of monologues and duologues created as an hour-long introduction for the New Writing Festival.
2015 “Is That All There Is?” – Jabberwocky Market, Darlington
2014 “Bazaar and Rummage” – Lyricist for production of Sue Townsend’s play.
2014 “Restorative Justice” – Corporate Work for Cleveland Police Crime Commissioner
2013 “That Gay Play” – commissioned by Middlesbrough Community Pride to create a piece reflecting members of the LGBTQ community in Middlesbrough
2013 “Miss Crispy 1988 – rewrites for National Tour including Newcastle Theatre Royal and Blackfriars Arts Centre Lincoln.
2012 “Miss Crispy 1988” – full scale theatre production, Middlesbrough Theatre
DAVID TUFFNELL