Kevin Elyot, Crop Circles & Me
Polly Tisdall is delighted to be this year’s winner of the Kevin Elyot Award at Bristol Theatre Collection. The award invites Polly into one of the world’s largest archives of theatre history to explore the work of British playwright Kevin Elyot and write a new play of her own, working title ’The Crop Circle Café’. This audio diary charts Polly’s time in residence at The Kevin Elyot Archive, uncovering Kevin’s journey as a playwright and discovering her own writing process.
Episodes

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
I have a sulky moment despite the sunshine, and consider the realities of getting new plays staged.

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
I share some of the discoveries from my first open workshop for South West playwrights and theatre-makers.

Monday Apr 28, 2025
Monday Apr 28, 2025
I delve into Elyot's correspondence with programmers and reflect on the emotional ups and downs of sharing a play with the world.

Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
I get a sense of Elyot's rigour in identifying his central themes and try to apply his approach to my planning for 'The Crop Circle Cafe'.

Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
Tuesday Mar 11, 2025
I get carried away by Kevin's dreams for his plays and wonder if I'm setting my own sights too low.

Monday Jan 20, 2025
Monday Jan 20, 2025
Join me as I huff up the steps to Bristol Theatre Collection & get my first taste of Elyot's work.