Writing
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 supported by ACE and MGCfutures, and a musical seed commissioned by Birmingham Hippodrome. You can read about my produced work below.
Produced Work
These Demons
A dark comedy-horror play 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
Precipice
A multi-timeline musical with an electro-folk score – a story of crisis, humanity, and hope at the edge of disaster.
Produced at New Diorama Theatre from 11 Nov – 13 Dec 2025 by Timelapse and New Diorama, the show was created collaboratively by Stu Barter (Talkshow), Rachel Bellman (These Demons), Darren Clark (Olivier winner for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button), Annabelle Lee Revak (Windsong), Shaye Poulton Richards (Lies All The Way Down), and Timelapse Artistic Director Adam Lenson (Cable Street).
“innovative new musical theatre at its very best” – ★ ★ ★ ★ Broadway World
Game Theory
A coming-of-age thriller about friendship, betrayal, and the lengths we will go just to feel like we belong.
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
Developed by Perfect Pitch Musicals
A professional concert version was produced 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
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.
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Elizabeth Sybil Charlesworth
Originally produced by British Youth Music Theatre in Summer 2019 at the New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and winner of the 2019 New Music Theatre Award. To be produced at University of Lincoln in 2026.
The song ‘Fortune’ selected to be performed in Tokyo in December 2024, produced by Toho Theatricals.
So-Called Gen Z
A contemporary concept musical about teenagers today, exploring identity, isolation and ambition.
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music and lyrics by Josh Bird
Developed with teenagers at PQA Sutton and produced by PQA at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2019.
Short Plays
When We Listen
A short play written as part of a collaborative project inspired by real testimonies from Jewish people around the world. Commissioned by Emanate Productions, presented at JW3 in spring 2025, directed by Hannah Hauer-King and performed by Liza Sadovy.
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.
Children's
The Knights Before Christmas
A mini musical fantasy adventure for children, about three girls on a quest to defeat a dragon.
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
Commissioned and licensed by Perfect Pitch Musicals to be performed by schools and drama groups.
Elf Spies
A mini musical sci-fi adventure for children, about (you guessed it!) elf spies.
Book and lyrics by Rachel Bellman, Music by Josh Bird
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.