Suhayla El-Bushra
SUHAYLA EL-BUSHRA writes for stage and screen. She was writer in residence at the National Theatre Studio from April 2015 to August 2016, during which time her adaptation of Nikolai Erdman’s The Suicide was staged in the Lyttelton Theatre. Other stage work includes Pigeons (Royal Court 2013 and tour), Cuckoo (Unicorn Theatre, 2014) The Kilburn Passion (Tricycle, 2014) and Arabian Nights (Royal Lyceum, Edinburgh, 2017). She is under commission with Chichester Festival Theatre, The National Theatre and The Bridge Theatre. For screen, her credits include 2 series of C4’s Ackley Bridge, and a short film for Film4. In 2018 Suhayla became one of 18 selected for BAFTA Elevate (a scheme made for advancing the career of experienced writers). She is currently writing an episode of Becoming Elizabeth (The Forge/Starz Channel) and a screenplay with Neon Films as well as several original ideas and scripts for film/TV.
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2020
Becoming Elizabeth – Forge Productions/Starz Channel – 1 x 60 min script commissioned
2019
Grunswick Strikes – Kiln Theatre – short play commissioned
Kick the Moon – Kindle Entertainment – Treatment commissioned
Untitled – Red Productions – Treatment for original drama series commissioned
Lady Parts – Working Title TV – 2 x days writers’ room on Nida Manzoor comedy
Ackley Bridge S4 – The Forge Entertainment – 30 minute script commission and 5 day workshop
The Long Song – Chichester Festival Theatre – Commissioned to adapt Andrea Levy’s novel
Riviera Series 3 – Archery Pictures – took part in writers’ room
TBA – Treatment commissioned – writing lyrics for a stage musical adaptation of a classic children’s book
2018
Women in Power – Nuffield Theatres Part of an all-female writing team
Synchro – Lime Pictures Original Drama pilot commissioned
Lost Goats Society – The Bridge Theatre Play commissioned
Dara Palmer’s Major Drama – CBBC Series treatment commissioned
Pirates of Sale – National Theatre Play commissioned
2017
Bush – Film4/Neon Films Original short film
Arabian Nights – Royal Lyceum Theatre Play commissioned
Untitled – English Touring Theatre Play commissioned
2016
360 – National Theatre Short film commission
Molly – Neon Films Script in development
The Suicide – National Theatre Play produced at the Lyttleton Theatre
Ackley Bridge – The Forge / C4 Commissioned writer
Home Aamir – National Theatre Commissioned writer, short film
Iphigenia – The Gate Theatre Play produced as part of the Iphigenia Quartet
Connections 2017 – The National Theatre Commissioned writer
2015 – 2016
National Theatre Studio Writer in resident (year’s residency)
2015
Foxes -BBC Drama Original treatment commissioned
Original Play Commission – Out of Joint Theatre
2014-2016
Lost Goats/Mipsterz – Headstrong/E4 Original pilot commission and development
2014
Fingertips – Clean Break Play commissioned and produced at the Latitude Festival
Holby – BBC TV Commissioned writer
Frontline – Quinta Communications Screenplay commissioned
The Kilburn Passion – Tricycle Youth Theatre Commissioned play produced April and August 2014
Cuckoo – Unicorn Theatre Play produced
Jamillah and Aladdin – Kindle Entertainment Children’s TV script commissioned
2013
Pigeons – Royal Court Original play licensed for performance as part of Open Court season June 2013, then for subsequent schools tour.
2011-2013
Hollyoaks – Lime Pictures 27 scripts commissioned
2011
66 Books – Bush Theatre Contributor to the Bush’s epic project of 66 responses to the books of the King James’ bible.
Starless are the Nights of Travel – Jeva Films/Film Council Further draft of screenplay commissioned
2010
Guiding Lights scheme – selected for screenwriting scheme, mentor Christopher Hampton
2009-2010
Starless are the Nights of Travel – Jeva Films Screenplay commissioned
Doctors – BBC 2 x scripts commissioned
S.N.A.F.U. – New Writing South/Prodigal Theatre Company Short play written and performed as part of “Sinking Ship” scheme
Love Machine – Nightingale Theatre, Brighton Short play performed
2008
Doctors – BBC 1 x episode commissioned and broadcast
2007
Fatima’s visit – Picture Palace Series treatment commissioned based on an original script
Riot Girls – BBC TV Treatment and two scripts commissioned for original teen interactive drama
Little Punjabi Princess – Little Bird/Five 1 x 30 minute script commissioned
2005
Livin It – RDF/CBBC Commissioned to develop episode “Stretching the Limits”
Swings and Roundabouts – (Short film) – EB4U (East Brighton Community Services) Written with a group of teenagers from East Brighton, for secondary schools as part of a sexual health education package.
Relevant Work Experience and training (includes):
2003 – 2005: Leeds Metropolitan University Screenwriting MA (funded by Film Council Bursary)
Sept – Dec 2002: Diploma in Cinematography, Brighton Film School,