Robin Kingsland

An experienced and versatile writer who has written for a range of TV programmes as well as for the stage. He has adapted several classic novels successfully for the stage including ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT and AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. In May 2014 his reworked youth theatre version of ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT was performed as part of the neat14 festival in association with the Nottingham Playhouse. His play CAUTIONARY TALES FOR DAUGHTERS ran at the Edinburgh Festival in 2015, before embarking on a tour, and most recently had a London run at the Jermyn Street Theatre. He has written extensively for children’s and family TV, on shows ranging from pre-school classics like THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE to CBBC comedy dramas. He has also written over thirty children’s books, including titles for A&C Black, Pan MacMillan, Bodley Head, Random House, Puffin and HarperCollins.

Robin is also a successful actor, having appeared most recently in Stephen Berkoff’s ON THE WATERFRONT in the West End and on tour in Japan, and in the role of ‘Utterson’ in the UK Tour of JEKYLL & HYDE.

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Credits

THEATRE
Production
Company
Notes
Production
CAUTIONARY TALES FOR DAUGHTERS
Company
Jermyn Street Theatre
Notes
Writer and director
“Blunt, colourful, Classy and unafraid” - Broadway World - 5 stars
"Accutely observed and very poignant" - Musical Theatre Review - 4 stars
“Deceptively Sharp” - The Stage - 4 stars
“Ninety minutes of lively satire” - British Theatre Guide - 4 stars
Production
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Company
Nottingham Playhouse
Notes
Reworked youth theatre version performed as part of the neat14 festival.
Production
UNDER THE STORY TREE
Company
Nottingham Playhouse
Notes
Commissioned to write a new Christmas show for 4-8 year olds which played at schools and the Playroom.
Production
PCUK
Company
Leicester Square Theatre
Notes
Blank verse, Hip-hop idiom adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also performed at The Space@Venue 45 at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The cast consists of young students of Pineapple Performing Arts School.
Production
DOT, DOT, DOT.
Company
Nottingham Playhouse
Notes
Commission for original piece.
Production
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT
Company
Nottingham Playhouse
Notes
Stage adaptation of the classic WW1 novel by Eric Maria Remarque for a run at the Nottingham Playhouse and subsequent UK tour.
Production
THE VISIT
Company
Notes
Reworking of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s tragi-comedy. As yet unproduced.
Production
THE MOONSTONE
Company
Notes
Stage adaptation of Wilkie Collins classic detective story.
Production
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS
Company
Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch
Notes
Stage adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel.
Production
SLEAZE
Company
Westminster School Drama Dept
Notes
Script and lyrics for 60s Soho-set musical reworking of Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Music by Chris Barton.
Production
SEA OF SILENCE
Company
Quicksilver Theatre
Notes
Original play concerned with bullying. (Dir Guy Holland)
Toured Mexico two years running (Prod. Grupo 55)
Production
CITY BREAK
Company
Notes
Modern reworking of Homer’s ODYSSEY set among the homeless and dispossessed of a mythical urban landscape. Developed as part of the 2001 Performance Arts Lab, Dir. John Retallack.
Production
PORKY PIES
Company
A&C BLACK (Publisher)
Notes
Original children's musical comedy playscript.
Production
ROBIN HOOD
Company
Polka Theatre
Notes
Play for 7 yrs and up.
Production
PROSPERO'S CHILDREN
Company
Quicksilver Theatre
Notes
Play for 7-10's - Modern idiom, accessible blank verse reworking of Shakespeare’s “Tempest”. Dir. Guy Holland.
Production
PRETEND WE'RE FRIENDS
Company
Quicksilver Theatre
Notes
Groundbreaking interactive play for under 5s.
Production
ELEMENTARY, MR HOLMES
Company
Polka Theatre
Notes
Play for 7-10 year olds, Dir. Vicky Ireland.
Production
MR BIFF THE BOXER
Company
Quicksilver Theatre
Notes
Adapted from the book by A. Ahlberg, Dir. Guy Holland.
TELEVISION
Production
Company
Notes
Production
DINOSAUR ROAR
Company
Nurture Rights Ltd
Notes
Commissioned to write development bible and accompanying stories for project in association with the Natural History Museum.
Production
THE KOALA BROTHERS
Company
Spellbound Entertainment/CBBC
Notes
Development work on 3 TV musical specials.
Production
THE DEL VECCHIOS
Company
Channel 4 Comedy Lab
Notes
Bible development, pilot script and storylines for new comedy (Prod Steve Ackhurst, Dir. Matt Lipsey).
Production
POPPY BAY PONIES
Company
Notes
Development of bible, characters and scripts for pre-school animated series based on popular brand (Exec. Prod David Wallace, in association with Hibbert Ralph).
Production
S.T.O.R.M.
Company
Notes
Concept and development of bible, characters and scripts for animated series for 6-9 year olds (Exec. Prod David Wallace).
Production
THE KOALA BROTHERS
Company
Spellbound Entertainment/CBBC
Notes
Scripts commissioned (head scriptwriter, series 3), pre-school animation series, Prod. Peter Curtis, Theresa Plummer-Andrews, David Johnson.
Production
DR SNUGGLES
Company
Notes
Development of bible and scripts for animated series revival. Exec. Prod David Wallace.
Production
RUDI & TRUDI
Company
TV Loonland/Telemagination
Notes
6 scripts commissioned for animation series.
Production
ENGIE BENJY
Company
Granada Kids
Notes
3 scripts for popular pre-school animation series – Exec Prod. Steven Andrew.
Production
FALLEN ANGELS & COGWOBBLERS
Company
Notes
Bible and pilot scripts for 2 children's TV projects in development. Prod. Wark Clements.
Production
FRIENDS, ROMANS
Company
BBC
Notes
Commissioned to develop bible and pilot script for original children’s comedy drama idea.
Production
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS
Company
Gullane/HiT Entertainment
Notes
Multiple scripts.
Production
RUBBADUBBERS
Company
HiT Entertainment
Notes
1 Script for animated pre-school project
Production
THERE'S A VIKING IN MY BED
Company
BBC/Link
Notes
4 x 15-minute scripts for the live action children's comedy drama based on Jeremy Strong's popular books.
Production
THERE'S A RABBIT IN THE HOLE
Company
Granada Media Children's
Notes
Script editing and directing for new puppet/CGI kids series - Prod. Steven Andrew.
Production
SOOTY HEIGHTS
Company
Sooty Films Ltd
Notes
Script editing for Series 2.
Production
THE ANIMAL MAGIC SHOW
Company
BBC
Notes
20 x 15-minute scripts written and edited for Series I & II, multiple scripts for series III– Prod. Nigel Pope.
Production
PRESTON PIG
Company
Link
Notes
1 x 10-minute script for animation series.
Production
CARTOON CRITTERS
Company
BBC
Notes
26 x 22-minute scripts written for 4 Series, plus editing of a further 26 x 22– Prod. David Wallace.
Production
SPACE VETS
Company
BBC
Notes
6 x 14-minute scripts written. Multiple uncredited script re-writes and dialogue additions on this cult series – Prod. Greg Childs.
Production
ENGLISH EXPRESS
Company
BBC Schools
Notes
Various sketches.
Production
DIZZY HEIGHTS
Company
BBC
Notes
28 x 25-minute scripts written for 4 series – Prod. Martin Hughes.
Production
SATELLITE SHOW
Company
BBC
Notes
Various sketches/links – Prod. Trevor McCallam.
Production
GURGLE EEK!
Company
BBC
Notes
10 x 3-minute scripts for inclusion in magazine format programme - Prod. Alison Stewart.
RADIO
Production
Company
Notes
Production
THE SPECKLED PANIC
Company
BBC Radio
Notes
Adapted from Hazel Townson's book. Radio 5 - Dir Martin Jameson.
CABARET/SHOWCASE
Production
Company
Notes
Production
PINEAPPLE PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL
Company
Notes
Numerous Narrative scripts, comedy links and sketches for theatre Arts School based at the legendary Pineapple Dance studios.
Production
BREAKIN’ OUT
Company
Unicorn Theatre
Notes
Synopsis and script for narrative-driven Hip Hop musical, commissioned by and devised with “Y@P” Hip-hop Theatre Ensemble. First performed as part of the Mayor of London’s “Big Dance” initiative.
Production
TWO COOL RATS
Company
Pizza on the Park, Knightsbridge
Notes
Cabaret format, script and pastiche lyrics for Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin tribute duo.
THEATRE
Production Company Notes
CAUTIONARY TALES FOR DAUGHTERS Jermyn Street Theatre Writer and director
“Blunt, colourful, Classy and unafraid” - Broadway World - 5 stars
"Accutely observed and very poignant" - Musical Theatre Review - 4 stars
“Deceptively Sharp” - The Stage - 4 stars
“Ninety minutes of lively satire” - British Theatre Guide - 4 stars
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT Nottingham Playhouse Reworked youth theatre version performed as part of the neat14 festival.
UNDER THE STORY TREE Nottingham Playhouse Commissioned to write a new Christmas show for 4-8 year olds which played at schools and the Playroom.
PCUK Leicester Square Theatre Blank verse, Hip-hop idiom adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. Also performed at The Space@Venue 45 at the 2011 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The cast consists of young students of Pineapple Performing Arts School.
DOT, DOT, DOT. Nottingham Playhouse Commission for original piece.
ALL QUIET ON THE WESTERN FRONT Nottingham Playhouse Stage adaptation of the classic WW1 novel by Eric Maria Remarque for a run at the Nottingham Playhouse and subsequent UK tour.
THE VISIT Reworking of Friedrich Durrenmatt’s tragi-comedy. As yet unproduced.
THE MOONSTONE Stage adaptation of Wilkie Collins classic detective story.
AROUND THE WORLD IN EIGHTY DAYS Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch Stage adaptation of Jules Verne’s novel.
SLEAZE Westminster School Drama Dept Script and lyrics for 60s Soho-set musical reworking of Shakespeare’s MEASURE FOR MEASURE. Music by Chris Barton.
SEA OF SILENCE Quicksilver Theatre Original play concerned with bullying. (Dir Guy Holland)
Toured Mexico two years running (Prod. Grupo 55)
CITY BREAK Modern reworking of Homer’s ODYSSEY set among the homeless and dispossessed of a mythical urban landscape. Developed as part of the 2001 Performance Arts Lab, Dir. John Retallack.
PORKY PIES A&C BLACK (Publisher) Original children's musical comedy playscript.
ROBIN HOOD Polka Theatre Play for 7 yrs and up.
PROSPERO'S CHILDREN Quicksilver Theatre Play for 7-10's - Modern idiom, accessible blank verse reworking of Shakespeare’s “Tempest”. Dir. Guy Holland.
PRETEND WE'RE FRIENDS Quicksilver Theatre Groundbreaking interactive play for under 5s.
ELEMENTARY, MR HOLMES Polka Theatre Play for 7-10 year olds, Dir. Vicky Ireland.
MR BIFF THE BOXER Quicksilver Theatre Adapted from the book by A. Ahlberg, Dir. Guy Holland.
TELEVISION
Production Company Notes
DINOSAUR ROAR Nurture Rights Ltd Commissioned to write development bible and accompanying stories for project in association with the Natural History Museum.
THE KOALA BROTHERS Spellbound Entertainment/CBBC Development work on 3 TV musical specials.
THE DEL VECCHIOS Channel 4 Comedy Lab Bible development, pilot script and storylines for new comedy (Prod Steve Ackhurst, Dir. Matt Lipsey).
POPPY BAY PONIES Development of bible, characters and scripts for pre-school animated series based on popular brand (Exec. Prod David Wallace, in association with Hibbert Ralph).
S.T.O.R.M. Concept and development of bible, characters and scripts for animated series for 6-9 year olds (Exec. Prod David Wallace).
THE KOALA BROTHERS Spellbound Entertainment/CBBC Scripts commissioned (head scriptwriter, series 3), pre-school animation series, Prod. Peter Curtis, Theresa Plummer-Andrews, David Johnson.
DR SNUGGLES Development of bible and scripts for animated series revival. Exec. Prod David Wallace.
RUDI & TRUDI TV Loonland/Telemagination 6 scripts commissioned for animation series.
ENGIE BENJY Granada Kids 3 scripts for popular pre-school animation series – Exec Prod. Steven Andrew.
FALLEN ANGELS & COGWOBBLERS Bible and pilot scripts for 2 children's TV projects in development. Prod. Wark Clements.
FRIENDS, ROMANS BBC Commissioned to develop bible and pilot script for original children’s comedy drama idea.
THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE & FRIENDS Gullane/HiT Entertainment Multiple scripts.
RUBBADUBBERS HiT Entertainment 1 Script for animated pre-school project
THERE'S A VIKING IN MY BED BBC/Link 4 x 15-minute scripts for the live action children's comedy drama based on Jeremy Strong's popular books.
THERE'S A RABBIT IN THE HOLE Granada Media Children's Script editing and directing for new puppet/CGI kids series - Prod. Steven Andrew.
SOOTY HEIGHTS Sooty Films Ltd Script editing for Series 2.
THE ANIMAL MAGIC SHOW BBC 20 x 15-minute scripts written and edited for Series I & II, multiple scripts for series III– Prod. Nigel Pope.
PRESTON PIG Link 1 x 10-minute script for animation series.
CARTOON CRITTERS BBC 26 x 22-minute scripts written for 4 Series, plus editing of a further 26 x 22– Prod. David Wallace.
SPACE VETS BBC 6 x 14-minute scripts written. Multiple uncredited script re-writes and dialogue additions on this cult series – Prod. Greg Childs.
ENGLISH EXPRESS BBC Schools Various sketches.
DIZZY HEIGHTS BBC 28 x 25-minute scripts written for 4 series – Prod. Martin Hughes.
SATELLITE SHOW BBC Various sketches/links – Prod. Trevor McCallam.
GURGLE EEK! BBC 10 x 3-minute scripts for inclusion in magazine format programme - Prod. Alison Stewart.
RADIO
Production Company Notes
THE SPECKLED PANIC BBC Radio Adapted from Hazel Townson's book. Radio 5 - Dir Martin Jameson.
CABARET/SHOWCASE
Production Company Notes
PINEAPPLE PERFORMING ARTS SCHOOL Numerous Narrative scripts, comedy links and sketches for theatre Arts School based at the legendary Pineapple Dance studios.
BREAKIN’ OUT Unicorn Theatre Synopsis and script for narrative-driven Hip Hop musical, commissioned by and devised with “Y@P” Hip-hop Theatre Ensemble. First performed as part of the Mayor of London’s “Big Dance” initiative.
TWO COOL RATS Pizza on the Park, Knightsbridge Cabaret format, script and pastiche lyrics for Frank Sinatra/Dean Martin tribute duo.