Explore the exciting worlds of classic and contemporary theatre in Nonsuch Studios’ Theatre Book Club.
Script Reading with Nonsuch Studios brings to life the world of plays, the characters and plot, the people who wrote them and the world in which they were written. Through vibrant debate, chat and discussion we bring like-minded individuals together to explore the exciting world of classic and contemporary theatre.
Script Readers look at a range of plays, old and new, asking questions, exploring themes and learning about the social and historical contexts of the drama.
What did the playwright want to express? Were they successful? What style did they use to convey their message? Do they still resonate with us today? The list is endless, but our aim remains the same, to create an open and inclusive space to read a play and voice our thoughts.
You’ll get the chance to read plays, test out scenes and discuss the action in friendly weekly sessions that will chart theatre through the ages, featuring the classic plays you know and the exciting ones you might not!
Each month, Script Readers have a new theme and read plays in that theme, guided by our fantastic facilitator Spencer Mitchell.
Dates & Times
The group meet at 10am at the Nottingham Central Library Cafe
Every Thursdays 10.30am – 12.30pm (unless stated otherwise)
Sessions take place at Nottingham Central Library meeting room on the First Floor. There is lift access in the Library.
Interested in joining Script Reading? Click here to register for a FREE TRIAL SESSION.
Spencer trained as an actor at Bath Spa University before focusing on playwriting. His work has been performed by both community and professional groups, and ranges from touring ‘whodunits’ to Charles Dickens adaptations. A passionate Pantomimist, Spencer has won PAL’s Best Script for two consecutive years.
Upcoming Schedule & Themes
We are taking a 2-week break in early September and returning in the new term on Thursday 18 September. There will be no script readers on September 4 or September 11
September play 🎭 – Lunacy & Laughter! 🤣 [Theatre History]
Join us as we joyfully begin our Autumn term with Joe Orton’s hilarious farce What the Butler Saw.In this opening fortnight we’ll look into the Theatre of Joe Orton, as well as his life and times, and discover what made this play, written just one month before his death, a sure theatrical hit!
Thursday 18 September What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton
Thursday September What the Butler Saw by Joe Orton [cont.]
October Plays🎭- Last Nights & Friday Nights! 🪩🕺
We kick off October with Queen of Dirt Island, a stage adaptation of Donal Ryan’s 2022 novel, written by East Midlands Playwrights. Join us as we read, foster and celebrate local talent. Followed by Katori Hall’s award-winning Play The Mountaintop. A fictional depiction of Martin Luther King’s last night on earth. We end just in time for Halloween with Danny Robins’s play 2:22 A Ghost Story. A chilling Stage Thriller, now on tour in the UK, arriving in Nottingham April 2026.
Thursday 2 October Queen of Dirt Island, East Midlands Showcase
Thursday 9 October The Mountaintop by Katori Hall
Thursday 16 October The Mountaintop by Katori Hall [cont.]
Thursday 23 October - No session
Thursday 30 October 2:22 A Ghost Story by Danny Robins
November Plays🎭 – We are VERY much AMUSED! 🤣[Theatre History]
As cold November sweeps in join us for a sunny & laughter filled ‘Dress-Up’ reading of Oscar Wilde’s comedy Lady Windermere’s Fan. We’ll look at the expectations and limitations of a Victorian marriage; as well as the Theatre of Oscar Wilde (Including the National Theatre’s recent take on the Importance of being Ernest.) Fans & Dickie-Bows at the ready! We then read Maureen Lennon’s heartfelt 2023 play Helen. A snapshot of a mother and daughter’s 40 relationship! And end with another ‘homegrown’ play from a contemporary East Midlands Playwright.
Thursday 6 November Lady Windermere’s Fan by Oscar Wilde
Thursday 13 November - No session
Thursday 20 November - No session
Thursday 27 November East Midlands Showcase (TBC)
December Plays🎭 – Christmas Radio Play! 🎄
Ever Fancied staring in a radio play? Come Join us this December as we Read, Rehearse, and Record our very own comedy radio play. A Christmas Carol. We’ll discover the story of radio drama from 1921 to the present, and study a selection of historic & contemporary Radio Plays.
Thursday 4 December Radio Play: A Christmas Carol/ Discover (Comedy/ Period.)
Thursday 11 December Radio Play: A Christmas Carol / Rehearse (Comedy/ Period.)
Thursday 18 December Radio Play: A Christmas Carol / Record (& Christmas nibbles!)
Script Reading runs throughout the year on a weekly basis. Plays are looked at over a number of weeks (depending on their length) across a broad range of repertoire. It is now pay what you can with a suggested price of £12, and an available price of £7.50.
