Richard Conlon

Richard Conlon was switched on to the power of drama in his final years at school and in his experiences as an actor in a young company. The ability of theatre to allow an audience to see the world through new eyes fascinates him to this day.

Somewhere in his career he heard someone suggest that ‘theatre is a conversation among friends about matters of importance’, and he finds it hard to state it any simpler than that. That special, intense phenomenon of actors and audience being in a shared experience for a couple of hours remains a place where the big ideas can be discussed. Writers are the lucky ones who start the process.

Richard made a space for himself in the 'applied theatre' sector, using drama as a tool to raise a debate, shine a light on a marginalised community or tackle a specific issue. Over nearly 40 years he has written and directed plays with a wide number of communities. Since 2016 he has been the Artistic Director of Hampshire’s Blue Apple Theatre, bringing the work of its learning disabled cast to international stages.

Of his many plays for young casts, Hope Springs is the most widely performed. Premiered in 2004, it has been staged by schools and youth theatres in the UK, Ireland, the USA, South Africa and New Zealand.