Jimmy Osborne

Writer - Theatre / Television

Agent: Julie Press - julie@kitsonpress.co.uk

Jimmy Osborne is a playwright and screenwriter living in Lincolnshire, UK. Currently writing ‘Zoe’s Peculiar Journey Through Time’, a Burgtheater, Vienna and Theatre-Rites co-production. ‘The Incredible Tale of Robot Boy’, a family sci-fi story about science, humanity and responsibility was staged November 2019 in a co-production between Theatre Rites and Schauspielhaus Bochum, Germany. His play ‘Maisie Says She Loves Me’ won the Outstanding New Work Award at the Vault Festival in 2017 and transferred to the Pop-Out Festival at the Lincoln Performing Arts Centre. ‘An Empty Seat’, about cowardice and forgiveness, was staged at The Stephen Joseph Theatre. ‘The Cement Garden’, his critically acclaimed co-adaptation of Ian McEwan’s novel, headlined the Vault Festival in 2014. Jimmy’s plays have also been performed at Theatre503, Southwark Theatre and The Curve. He was selected for the BBC Drama Room Writer Development Scheme and has previously taken part in ‘4Screenwriting’, a writers development initiative run by Channel 4. Jimmy is currently developing an innovative science-arts collaboration with social science researchers on wellbeing in economically deprived urban communities.

Work

Writing Credits

Zoe’s Peculiar Journey Through Time (2021-2023)

Theatre Rites

Large scale children’s theatre project commissioned by Theatre Rites.

As a girl, Zoe dreamed of exciting adventures and making the world a better place. But now her life is humdrum with no time for fantastic adventures, until one day she is catapulted a hundred years into the future to a mysterious island. Sent on a quest by the Island’s Ancient Spirit, she has to solve riddles, save new friends and search for a mysterious deep sea treasure. Only then can she find her way home.

Performed at Burgtheater, Vienna.

The play was adapted and revised for a UK tour in 2023 where it was performed in London at The South Bank Centre and The Polka Theatre.

The Incredible Tale of Robot Boy (2019)

Theatre Rites

Under commission from Theatre Rites.

In the most extraordinary high-tech laboratory, a team of the world’s top scientists are attempting the impossible – their mission is to create a robot with a real brain. A poetic sci-fi story about humanity, responsibility and life with dazzling puppetry, interactive film and performance.

Staged at Schauspielhaus Bochum, Germany, November 2019.
Directed by Sue Buckmaster

BBC Drama Room (2017-2018)

BBC Writersroom

Selected to take part in the BBC Drama Room, a development scheme for writers run by the BBC Writersroom.

The Garden (2017)

Toby wants to be left alone with the willow. Linden thinks weeding is pointless, but are they growing the garden or is the garden growing them?
Supported by the Wellcome Trust and Hull City of Culture 2017, The Garden is an innovative science-arts collaboration on wellbeing in economically deprived urban communities.

Maisie Says She Loves me (2017)

The Vault Festival

A one-man show exploring what can happen if you keep it all in. Maisie loves Sheldon, but Sheldon struggles to allow himself to be loved. “I suffer from indigestion, but maybe it is not indigestion. Maybe it is love.” Does being a strong man mean keeping it all in? Maise Says She Loves Me is published by Nick Hern Books as part of ‘Plays From VAULT 2′ and is the winner of The Origins Outstanding New Work award.

Now & Then (2016)

Original Stage Play

A new full length stage play. Nicky Cassidy runs away when she’s sixteen and returns home when she’s twenty one. She’s determined to find out who killed her father, the father that drove her away. ‘Now & Then’ is a drama that examines how family bonds can make or break us, and whether we have a choice in who we are.

Turn-table (2016)

NB Studio

Jimmy was commissioned by NB Studio, a creative branding and design company, to co-write a 30 minute play along with director David Aula. ‘Turn-table’ will be performed at the Design Indaba international conference on Creativity held in South Africa in February 2016. ‘Turn-table’ looks at honesty in creativity and where ideas may come from.

Failing Light (2015)

Rich Mix

Rehearsed reading directed by Diyan Zora.
Failing light, is a dystopian drama set in a near future, when all electric power has run out. It is about a group of ordinary men, now soldiers, trying to make their way back home to the North of England, after a North-South Civil War.

Kingdom Come (2015)

Original Series

‘Kingdom Come’ is Jimmy’s original television series pilot script for a 4-part serial.

An Empty Seat (2014)

Stephen Joseph Theatre

Play comission as part of ‘Screenplay’, performed in August 2014.

Cement Garden (2014)

The Vault Festival

Headline play at this annual theatre and arts festival in Waterloo.
Stage adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan with FallOut Theatre, Directed by David Aula. The piece was originally developed at the National Theatre Studio.

Curve Playwriting Award (2014)

Curve Theatre, Leicester

Finalist with full length play ‘The Room Inside’, supported by the BBC Writersroom, Ideas Tap and Writing East Midlands.

The Room Inside (2014)

Playwright's Progress

Selected for this new writing stage development project, promoted by The Writers’ Guild of GB, in partnership with the Leicester Square Theatre. His play ‘The Room Inside’ received a rehearsed reading in front of an invited audience.

4Screenwriting (2013)

Channel 4

One of twelve writers chosen from 1700 applicants for a six month attachment. Created and developed an original 3-part series for television, ‘Cracks in the Mirror’. Worked with two script editors from Channel Four and Red Planet from conception to third draft of pilot episode.

1833

503 Theatre

Commissioned as part of ‘Thatcherwrites’, a series of short plays exploring the legacy and impact of Margaret Thatcher. An isolated couple on the Falkland Islands on the night of the Argentinian invasion prepare for war.

Perfect Now (2013)

503 Theatre

Performed at ‘Festopia’ showcase, and ‘Rich Mix’ Art Centre, as part of Descent Theatre.

Maisie Says She Loves Me (2013)

Lincoln Art Centre

Monologue performed as part of ‘Newvolutions’ Festival.

Meat (2012)

503 Theatre

Original full length, stage play, 1 month run from 5th- 30th June 2012. Produced by FallOut Theatre.
A slaughter-man tries to keep his part in the death of a local lad hidden from his family and vengeful community.
Published by Playdead Press.
‘Multi-layered and provocative’. Exeunt.

Transmission

Southwark Playhouse

A love story set in a Sexually Transmitted Infections Clinic. Commissioned as part of ‘Little Pieces of Love’ showcase. Performed on 12th February 2012.

This is Jack, Leave a Message, Alright? (2011)

Winner of the BBC #Hackgate Rapid Response competition. Described by competition judge Tim Price as a “Brave and beautiful piece.” Published online by the BBC.

Selected as part of the Little Pieces of Gold showcase. Performed 7th November 2011 at the Etcetera Theatre, London.

Selected as one of the ‘Top 80’ plays for ‘Short+Sweet’ in Sydney Australia, Feb 2013

A Permanent Change (2011)

Short play, Performed at the ‘Newvolutions’ Festival at Lincoln Performing Arts Centre, January 2012. Chosen as Live Theatre’s online shortcut of the month December 2011.

Royal Court Theatre

Graduate of the Young Writer’s Programme and Writing Masterclass Course. (Invitation Only)

Move the Mountain

Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre

Short play performed as part of ‘Crossing the Borders’. Collaborated with a number of writers all over the world on an innovative online writing initiative to co-create a piece of drama telling stories from across the globe.

Eightball

Rehearsed reading, Interplay European Playwright Festival, Warsaw, Poland. Chosen to represent the UK at the Interplay European Theatre Festival and develop a play for rehearsed reading.

Windows

Performed as part of ‘Under the Skin’’, Royal Court Theatre. Writer in Residence at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in association with the Royal Court Theatre. Worked with staff and patients to develop a short play for performance.

Ripples

Theatre Downstairs, Royal Court Theatre

Rehearsed public reading.