Projects
I have a range of projects in development, including a play showcased as part of Criterion New Writing Showcases, collaboratively written commissions with Emanate Productions and Timelapse Theatre, a musical in development with Tanya Truman Productions and Arts Depot, and musicals in development with Birmingham Hippodrome and developed with the creative learning department at the Liverpool Empire. My musical Game Theory was developed by Perfect Pitch and produced in concert at The Lowry, and is currently seeking a producer/co-producer. You can read about my produced work below.
Plays
These Demons
A dark comedy-horror exploring family ties, sisterhood, and Jewish demonology.
Produced at Theatre503 from 26th September – 14th October 2023. Published and licensed by Concord Theatricals. Longlisted for the 2021 Women’s Prize for Playwriting.
“Darkly funny at times, psychological at others, Bellman’s script is filled with originality” – The Guardian
“funny, insightful and at times downright thrilling” – LondonTheatre1
“A really complex and well-executed story” – The Reviews Hub
“packs in heaps of compelling themes” – The Stage
“It is atmospheric. It is gripping. It is urgent. See it without delay.” – Adventures in Theatreland
ISOLATED
A short immersive play commissioned as part of ISOLATED at JW3 in May 2021, directed by Jasmine Teo.
Peanut Butter
A short, surrealist rom com for two actors, produced by Black Cat Theatre as part of the new writing night ‘Millennials: Disconnected’ at the Pleasance Theatre in July 2018.
Musicals
Game Theory
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
Developed by Perfect Pitch Musicals
A coming-of-age thriller about friendship, betrayal, and the lengths we will go just to feel like we belong.
A professional concert version was presented at The Lowry in 2021 and filmed for stream.theatre. Before this, a work-in-progress version of the show was produced at UCLAN in 2019. We’re currently seeking a producer/co-producer – if you’d like to chat get in touch!
The Dickens Girls
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Elizabeth Sybil Charlesworth
A feminist historical musical based on the true story of the young women who volunteered to join a ‘house for fallen women’ founded by Charles Dickens and Angela Burdett-Coutts in 1847.
Produced by British Youth Music Theatre in Summer 2019 at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich. Winner of the 2019 New Music Theatre Award.
So-Called Gen Z
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music and lyrics by Josh Bird
A contemporary concept musical about teenagers today, exploring identity, isolation and ambition.
Developed with teenagers at PQA Sutton and produced by PQA at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2019.
Children's
The Knights Before Christmas
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
A mini musical fantasy adventure for children, about three girls on a quest to defeat a dragon.
Commissioned and licensed by Perfect Pitch Musicals to be performed by schools and drama groups.
Elf Spies
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
A mini musical sci-fi adventure for children, about (you guessed it!) elf spies.
Commissioned and licensed by Perfect Pitch Musicals to be performed by schools and drama groups.
Barry the Penguin's Black and White Christmas
Based on the stage musical by Lesley Ross and John-Victor
Adapted by Rachel Bellman with Lesley Ross
A musical book and CD about Barry the penguin detective.
Published in 2015 by Troubador in association with Perfect Pitch Musicals. The CD is a 45 minute audiobook narrated by Christopher Eccleston and performed by a West End cast, and the book features illustrations by Matt Rowe.
Being Brilliant
Based on the book by Andy Cope
Lyrics by Rachel Bellmann, Music by Elizabeth Charlesworth
A musical children’s show based on Andy Cope’s world famous research into happiness and wellbeing. Performed at Royal Concert Hall Nottingham in March 2017, commissioned by Nottingham City Council.
Monologues
If I Had a Garden
Written by Rachel Bellman
Directed by Jasmine Teo
Performed by Roisin Brehony
Written in April 2020 as a standalone monologue for online theatre company, Coronavirus Theatre Club.
Isolation Ragu
Written by Rachel Bellman
Directed by Stephen Oswald
Performed By Jonathan Dryden Taylor
Written in March 2020 during the early days of lockdown for online theatre company, National eTheatr, tailored to the items of Jonathan’s fridge.
Read a review of the piece here, or an article in The Stage about the actor’s experience.