SoA advisors Johanna Clarke, Catherine Fuller, Theo Jones and Ambre Morvan enter stage left to return to the world of Cassie and her novel “Burnt Honey”, the translation and film rights to which they sold in earlier sessions, reprising their roles and introducing some new ones to open the curtain on adapting Cassie’s book for stage.

Theatre deals can be an exciting opportunity for book authors – a chance to see their work bought to life on stage. For playwrights commissioned to adapt books, they offer the chance to reimagine an existing story for a live audience. And with the ongoing popularity of adapting books into successful shows – from well-loved classics such as Roald Dahl’s Matilda, adapted into the acclaimed musical by Dennis Kelly, with songs by Tim Minchin for the RSC, to newer lesser known works such as the upcoming tour of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Never Let Me Go, a co-production with Rose Theatre Kingston, Bristol Old Vic, Malvern Theatres, and the Royal & Derngate in Northampton – and with transfers, tours, amateur licences, and long running residencies, these adaptations also have the potential to be lucrative.

But how can writers understand the process around the steps to production, and how can they manage their own expectations in terms of how it all works? What should they expect from the paperwork to protect their rights, power of control and right to remuneration when handling their valuable IP? And how involved can they expect to be practically, as the project is developed, rehearsed and performed? Adopting the same dramatic personality as before, our advisors aim to offer a clear and engaging take on how it could all work in practice – from author to agent, agent to producer/theatre, producer/theatre to playwright, and author and playwright working together.

This event is designed to offer a general perspective. For tailored bespoke advice and guidance on issues, please contact the SoA in the usual way.