Scriptwriter. Dramaturg. Violinist.
Marietta Kirkbride grew up in rural Herefordshire but has been based in Bristol since 2012.
Her original audio dramas include the creeping psychological horror series set in rural Wales, SPORES, produced for BBC R4/BBC Sounds. It was described by the Radio Times as ‘a masterclass in subtlety’ and ‘gripping’ and ‘spine-tingling’ by The Telegraph. It was Pick of the Week in The Guardian.
Other work includes the alternative reality, grounded sci-fi drama, ONE FIVE SEVEN YEARS, which was bronze winner for Best Fiction at The British Podcast Awards and shortlisted for Best Series and winner of Best Actor at the BBC Audio Drama Awards. She has an original TV series in development with 5Acts.
As a playwright, Marietta’s theatre work has been produced for rural touring networks and presented at venues including Bristol Old Vic, Watermill Theatre, Theatre Royal Bath and Birmingham REP. Her play THE LONG TRICK was winner of The People’s Choice award at VAULT Festival. Her adaptation of FIVE CHILDREN AND IT ran at The Egg, Theatre Royal Bath in 2021 and 2022. Her work and development has been supported by Creative England, Pentabus Theatre and Bristol Old Vic via The Open Session attachment scheme.
Marietta is also a passionate advocate of giving voice to vulnerable and disadvantaged women. In her spare time, she works with charities such as Circles South West and One 25, which inspires the types of stories she wants to tell. She is also a co-founder and associate artist of award-winning theatre company Bucket Club and a violinist, lyricist and musical performer.
She is represented by Jessica Cooper at Curtis Brown. Please contact Jess directly with all writing and dramaturgy enquiries.
Selected credits
radio
2023 SPORES SERIES 2 - Afonica / BBC Radio 4 & BBC Sounds
2023 SPORES SERIES 1 - Afonica / BBC Radio 4 BBC Sounds
2022 ONE FIVE SEVEN YEARS - Afonica / BBC Radio 4. Shortlisted Best Series, winner Best Actor at BBC Audio Drama Awards 2023. Bronze award for Best Fiction at British Podcast Awards.
2021 THE TEACHINGS OF SMART TOWN - Afonica / BBC Radio 4
theatre
2023 WIZARD OF OZ - Watermill Theatre
2021 FIVE CHILDREN AND IT - Bucket Club / The Egg at Theatre Royal Bath. Director: Nel Crouch
2019 OUR CHURCH - Watermill Theatre. Director: Nik Partridge
2017 THE LONG TRICK - Director: Nel Crouch. Winner of The People’s Choice Award at Vault Festival
2016 THE ORATOR - Theatre West. Director: Chloe Masterton
dramaturgy
2022 BIRTHMARKED - Bristol Old Vic / Mayfest. Written and performed by Brook Tate. Director: Sally Cookson
2021 OUTLIER - Bristol Old Vic Ferment. Written and performed by Malaika Kegode. Director: Jenny Davies
2016 LAUNCH PARTY - Bucket Club / Farnham Maltings. Written and directed by Nel Crouch.
2016 FOSSILS - Bucket Club / 59E59 Theatre, Brits Off Broadway, New York. Written and directed by Nel Crouch.
2016 I CAN GET ALONG WITHOUT SHOES ON MY FEET - supported by National Theatre Scotland. Director: Fiona Mackinnon
2014 GETAWAY - Theater Am Tisch / BE Festival, Birmingham REP. Devised and co-written with Theater Am Tisch.
2013 LORRAINE & ALAN - Bucket Club. Written by Nel Crouch and Rebecca Ripley. Winner of The Brighton Fringe Award for Excellence and a MTN Award for Innovation in Music. Director: Nel Crouch