ABOUT
I started writing for the theatre in my early 30s – beginning with a play about euthanasia written on my honeymoon, which grabbed the BBC’s attention, leading to commissions from Radio 4. I won the TAPS Comedy Award at BAFTA for writers new to television. Since then, I have gained an MA in Screenwriting from the University of the Arts, London, written the book element of musicals and developed screenplays (mainly comedy and mainly for television). My retirement village comedy Never Too Late, co-written with Lydia Marchant, was broadcast on Channel 5 in November 2025 as part of the new Play for Today series. Three of my comedies have been shortlisted for the Studio 21 Drama Series Script Competition - Barking in 2020; The Gay Street Chronicles in 2023; and Life Lessons in 2025 (finalist in the micro drama competition). As an older writer I champion stories with older characters at their heart. I was longlisted for the David Nobbs Memorial Trust award in 2025 for The Minder, a comedy about a carer for a man with dementia.
SIMON WARNE
Writer
Simon's professional credits span theatre (plays and musicals) radio (drama and comedy) television and film. He also writes biographies for people who want to leave a written account of their lives for their loved ones to enjoy.
Simon studied playwriting at RADA; comedy writing at Birbeck University, London; and has a Masters in Screenwriting from the University of the Arts, London. Simon is a member of BAFTA, British Actors' Equity and the Writers' Guild of Great Britain.
CLAUS THE MUSICAL
December 2022 - January 2023
World Premiere Production at The Lowry, Claus the Musical tells the incredible story of a human child brought up by immortals in a magical forest. But when Claus discovers there's a whole world beyond the forest inhabited by humans like him, his life takes a different path. Based on The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus by L.Frank Baum. With music and lyrics by Andy Collyer.
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THE CHOCOLATE LOVERS' CLUB
Stage Musical - In Development
Adapted from the Bestseller by Carole Matthews, The Chocolate Lovers' Club is about four women who meet in Chocolate Heaven - a coffee shop equivalent where all food and drink is chocolate-based - and become firm friends. But their lives change through a series of 'Chocolate Emergencies' which challenge them beyond their wildest dreams and create an unbreakable bond between them. With music and lyrics by Alexander Bermange.
NEVER TOO LATE
Stage Musical - In Development
Widow Cynthia's life is turned upside down when an ex-boyfriend moves in to her retirement village.
Cynthia's always fancied Ron, he was the one that got away. Now he's next door and they've got a second chance. But Cynthia's got a secret she has to share first. Can they get closure on one chapter in their lives before starting another?
With Music by John Farmer.
THE TOYBOY DIARIES
Stage Musical - Hope Mill Manchester 2018.
Based on the book by Wendy Salisbury
Producer: Aria Entertainment. With Johanne Murdock, Sharif Afifi (both pictured), Matt Beveridge, Alistair Higgins.
Music and Lyrics by Andy Collyer
DOCTORS
Five episodes BBC television
Relative Stress - with Jacqueline King; In the Driving Seat with Jimmy Akingbola; Managing Expectations with Harvey Virdi; Dolly Mixtures with Deddie Davies; An Unexpected Arrival with Emily Head.
BARKING
Television comedy series
A naughty puppy helps a man out of his mid-life crisis
Dan’s kicked out of his girlfriend’s flat because their relationship is going nowhere. Then the man in the flat below dies and leaves Dan his dog in his will. Dan doesn’t like dogs, but he needs somewhere to live. Even if it is beneath his ex-girlfriend, who’s also the local vet. There’s no escape for any of them.
Shortlisted for the C21 Drama Series Script Competition (2020)
ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT
Radio comedy series
Broadcast on Radio 4 with Letitia Dean (pictured), Susannah Doyle, Phil Cornwell, Julian Rhind Tutt, Maggie McCarthy.
Producer: Tracey Neale
TEMPERATURES RISING
Radio - Afternoon Play
Broadcast on BBC Radio 4 with Susan Tully (pictured), Marcia Warren, Stephen Beresford, Ben Crowe, Liza Sadovy.
Producer: Peter Kavanagh
CONTACT
