Suhayla El-Bushra
SUHAYLA EL-BUSHRA is a screenwriter and playwright. Recent stage work includes Arabian Nights at the Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh, The Suicide (National Theatre), The Iphigenia Quartet (Gate Theatre, London). Pigeons (Royal Court), Cuckoo (Unicorn Theatre) and The Kilburn Passion (Tricycle). She is currently under commission from Out Of Joint, English Touring Theatre, The National Theatre and The Bridge Theatre. She has been a core writer on C4 shows Ackley Bridge and Hollyoaks, and has just made Bush, a short with Film4. She is developing TV projects with CBBC, Lime Pictures and Neon Films.
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2018
Women in Power – Nuffield Theatre
Writing team
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,