Ben Fletcher-Watson
@bfletcherwatson.bsky.social
Drama researcher in theatre for babies & relaxed performance. Deputy Director of IASH, University of Edinburgh. Trustee of Newcastle Theatre Royal. He/him
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
In conversation with Laurie Ogden, Flo O'Mahony, Artistic Director of Zoo Co and sister to Rachel O'Mahony, explains the journey of bringing Perfect Show for Rachel back for a UK tour: following Rachel's leadership while the show grows and changes, with those involved changing with it!
How my learning disabled sister made the perfect show
As she revisits Perfect Show for Rachel, Flo O'Mahony reflects on the assumptions made about the tastes and decision-making capacity of learning disabled people
exeuntmagazine.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:15 PM
In conversation with Laurie Ogden, Flo O'Mahony, Artistic Director of Zoo Co and sister to Rachel O'Mahony, explains the journey of bringing Perfect Show for Rachel back for a UK tour: following Rachel's leadership while the show grows and changes, with those involved changing with it!
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Giveaway! 🎉
We're offering four copies of our new book, Women Who Dared, which spotlights powerful and defiant women who made their mark.
Want to win a copy?
Here's how to enter:
1. Like this post ❤️
2. Repost 🔄
🕔 Entries close 5pm GMT on 31 Oct
🔗 Browse Women Who Dared:
We're offering four copies of our new book, Women Who Dared, which spotlights powerful and defiant women who made their mark.
Want to win a copy?
Here's how to enter:
1. Like this post ❤️
2. Repost 🔄
🕔 Entries close 5pm GMT on 31 Oct
🔗 Browse Women Who Dared:
Women Who Dared
Women Who Dared
edin.ac
October 20, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Giveaway! 🎉
We're offering four copies of our new book, Women Who Dared, which spotlights powerful and defiant women who made their mark.
Want to win a copy?
Here's how to enter:
1. Like this post ❤️
2. Repost 🔄
🕔 Entries close 5pm GMT on 31 Oct
🔗 Browse Women Who Dared:
We're offering four copies of our new book, Women Who Dared, which spotlights powerful and defiant women who made their mark.
Want to win a copy?
Here's how to enter:
1. Like this post ❤️
2. Repost 🔄
🕔 Entries close 5pm GMT on 31 Oct
🔗 Browse Women Who Dared:
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
A brand new essay collection, published by @edinburghup.bsky.social, edited by @bfletcherwatson.bsky.social & @joshaw.bsky.social foreword by @sarasheridan.bsky.social
Join the book launch on Tue, 4 Nov 17:30
📍@iashedinburgh.bsky.social
Free 🎟️(in person & online)👇womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk
Join the book launch on Tue, 4 Nov 17:30
📍@iashedinburgh.bsky.social
Free 🎟️(in person & online)👇womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 10:48 AM
A brand new essay collection, published by @edinburghup.bsky.social, edited by @bfletcherwatson.bsky.social & @joshaw.bsky.social foreword by @sarasheridan.bsky.social
Join the book launch on Tue, 4 Nov 17:30
📍@iashedinburgh.bsky.social
Free 🎟️(in person & online)👇womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk
Join the book launch on Tue, 4 Nov 17:30
📍@iashedinburgh.bsky.social
Free 🎟️(in person & online)👇womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Tue 4 Nov, 17:30 - "Women Who Dared: From the Infamous to the Forgotten" from @edinburghup.bsky.social. Edited by @bfletcherwatson.bsky.social & @joshaw.bsky.social with a foreword by @sarasheridan.bsky.social
Free tickets: womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk (in person and online)
Free tickets: womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk (in person and online)
Book Launch: "Women Who Dared: from the infamous to the forgotten"
Join us to mark the publication of our latest essay collection, exploring women's stories throughout history.
womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Tue 4 Nov, 17:30 - "Women Who Dared: From the Infamous to the Forgotten" from @edinburghup.bsky.social. Edited by @bfletcherwatson.bsky.social & @joshaw.bsky.social with a foreword by @sarasheridan.bsky.social
Free tickets: womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk (in person and online)
Free tickets: womenwhodared.eventbrite.co.uk (in person and online)
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Out now! Our latest book, "Women Who Dared", is released today from Edinburgh University Press. You can purchase direct from @edinburghup.bsky.social via their website or at all good bookshops: edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-women-w...
Women Who Dared
Women Who Dared
edinburghuniversitypress.com
September 30, 2025 at 9:25 AM
Out now! Our latest book, "Women Who Dared", is released today from Edinburgh University Press. You can purchase direct from @edinburghup.bsky.social via their website or at all good bookshops: edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-women-w...
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Deadline approaching for our playwright-in-residence programme for 2026 with @traversetheatre.bsky.social! 🎭
Applications are due by 5pm UK time on Monday 29 Sept. Full details of the £12,000 commission: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iashtraverse...
Applications are due by 5pm UK time on Monday 29 Sept. Full details of the £12,000 commission: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iashtraverse...
IASH/Traverse Creative Fellowship | IASH
www.iash.ed.ac.uk
September 26, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Deadline approaching for our playwright-in-residence programme for 2026 with @traversetheatre.bsky.social! 🎭
Applications are due by 5pm UK time on Monday 29 Sept. Full details of the £12,000 commission: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iashtraverse...
Applications are due by 5pm UK time on Monday 29 Sept. Full details of the £12,000 commission: www.iash.ed.ac.uk/iashtraverse...
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Aye Write book festival
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about…
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about…
Aye Write book festival
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about women who have made history - even if history hasn't always remembered them.' I've written an essay in the publication and I'll be speaking about my woman who dared alongside Jo Shaw, Dr Chisomo Kalinga and Dr loulia Kolovou at the Mitchell Library on Saturday 8th November at 7.45pm. Tickets to the event are available here and the book is available to purchase here.
margotmccuaig.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Aye Write book festival
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about…
I'm really excited to be featuring on a panel at the Aye Write Book festival, following the publication of Women Who Dared, From the Famous to the Forgotten, published by Edinburgh University Press. 'This is a vibrant, defiant and deeply human collection of stories about…
A vital article, identifying a depressing trend that’s become a certainty in recent years. Yesterday I watched five pieces of new writing *in a row* that backed up Lyn’s eagle-eyed thesis.
“Starved of investment, British theatre has been cut to the bone. On the fringe, you can see the bones, and you can see them crumbling in front of your eyes.”
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Polished fringe shows from overseas shine an ugly light on UK arts funding, says Lyn Gardner 👇
Lyn Gardner on underfunded home-grown shows at Edinburgh Fringe
At Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the gap in financial support between overseas and home-grown companies is increasingly evident in production values, says Lyn Gardner
www.thestage.co.uk
August 11, 2025 at 8:54 PM
A vital article, identifying a depressing trend that’s become a certainty in recent years. Yesterday I watched five pieces of new writing *in a row* that backed up Lyn’s eagle-eyed thesis.
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Special Fringe Event:
Monday 11 August at the Traverse
Join some of Scotland’s best playwrights in conversation with @fergusmorgan.bsky.social from 4pm
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
Monday 11 August at the Traverse
Join some of Scotland’s best playwrights in conversation with @fergusmorgan.bsky.social from 4pm
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
Scottish Writers Community: Panel Discussion
Scotland's new writing theatre, the Traverse champions creative talent by placing powerful and contemporary theatre at the heart of cultural life.
www.traverse.co.uk
August 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Special Fringe Event:
Monday 11 August at the Traverse
Join some of Scotland’s best playwrights in conversation with @fergusmorgan.bsky.social from 4pm
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
Monday 11 August at the Traverse
Join some of Scotland’s best playwrights in conversation with @fergusmorgan.bsky.social from 4pm
www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on/eve...
Two splendid Traverse shows - Lost Lear is a heartbreaking spin on the dementia play with lots of tricks up its sleeve; Rift combines super-tight performances with a killer script. Check them both out!
August 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Two splendid Traverse shows - Lost Lear is a heartbreaking spin on the dementia play with lots of tricks up its sleeve; Rift combines super-tight performances with a killer script. Check them both out!
Two Fringe shows from today that are worth your money:
Kanpur: 1857 at Pleasance Courtyard is a slow burn but tells an important story. Fab tabla accompaniment.
DUSK/NIGHT/DAWN at Assembly Roxy really won me over by the end - doing something new and exciting with pole dance. Some gorgeous imagery.
Kanpur: 1857 at Pleasance Courtyard is a slow burn but tells an important story. Fab tabla accompaniment.
DUSK/NIGHT/DAWN at Assembly Roxy really won me over by the end - doing something new and exciting with pole dance. Some gorgeous imagery.
July 30, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Two Fringe shows from today that are worth your money:
Kanpur: 1857 at Pleasance Courtyard is a slow burn but tells an important story. Fab tabla accompaniment.
DUSK/NIGHT/DAWN at Assembly Roxy really won me over by the end - doing something new and exciting with pole dance. Some gorgeous imagery.
Kanpur: 1857 at Pleasance Courtyard is a slow burn but tells an important story. Fab tabla accompaniment.
DUSK/NIGHT/DAWN at Assembly Roxy really won me over by the end - doing something new and exciting with pole dance. Some gorgeous imagery.
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
This letter is already at over 1000 signatures, showing the level of support in UK academia for these students - and hopefully increasing pressure on the Home Office and FCDO. Still open to sign.
An open letter has been launched today (27/7/25) for members of the UK academic community (academics and other university staff) to sign, to press the UK Home Office to facilitate safe passage out of Gaza for 40+ students with offers for UK universities.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Open letter from UK university staff: Request for biometric deferral and safe evacuation of incoming Palestinian students and scholars from Gaza to UK Universities
More than 40 students currently trapped in Gaza with full scholarships to UK Universities are asking for a safe route to come and study. We, the academic community hoping to welcome these scholars, ca...
docs.google.com
July 28, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This letter is already at over 1000 signatures, showing the level of support in UK academia for these students - and hopefully increasing pressure on the Home Office and FCDO. Still open to sign.
Why use an AI-gen image that’s overtly sexist for a book calling for chapters on “Shakespeare and the politics of gender”? Why use an AI-gen image prompted by Venetian carnival/Commedia for a Shakespeare collection? Why use an AI-gen image at all?
Pay. Artists. Properly.
Pay. Artists. Properly.
Calls for Chapters.
Shakespeare: New Voices [BOOK]
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2025
call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2023/05/...
Contributors are asked to provide an Abstract (300 words) and an Author bio (150 words) by 30 June 2025.
Dr Ian McCormick
Shakespeare: New Voices [BOOK]
Deadline for submissions: June 30, 2025
call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/cfp/2023/05/...
Contributors are asked to provide an Abstract (300 words) and an Author bio (150 words) by 30 June 2025.
Dr Ian McCormick
June 28, 2025 at 9:23 AM
Why use an AI-gen image that’s overtly sexist for a book calling for chapters on “Shakespeare and the politics of gender”? Why use an AI-gen image prompted by Venetian carnival/Commedia for a Shakespeare collection? Why use an AI-gen image at all?
Pay. Artists. Properly.
Pay. Artists. Properly.
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
‘Stone suits the poetry. Or perhaps it’s the other way round. I think poetry suits stone, more than it suits paper, certainly more than it suits a screen. The poetry releases something latent in the stone.’
New: Kathleen Jamie visits the Canongate Wall in Edinburgh.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ju...
New: Kathleen Jamie visits the Canongate Wall in Edinburgh.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ju...
Kathleen Jamie | At the Canongate Wall
The Canongate Wall is a feature of the Scottish Parliament building in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Designed by Soraya Smithson...
www.lrb.co.uk
June 27, 2025 at 9:08 PM
‘Stone suits the poetry. Or perhaps it’s the other way round. I think poetry suits stone, more than it suits paper, certainly more than it suits a screen. The poetry releases something latent in the stone.’
New: Kathleen Jamie visits the Canongate Wall in Edinburgh.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ju...
New: Kathleen Jamie visits the Canongate Wall in Edinburgh.
www.lrb.co.uk/blog/2025/ju...
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Unbound authors and former staff members who want to talk, including anonymously, get in touch at rachael.healy@observer.co.uk
UNBOUND AUTHORS: We’ve prepared a letter you can send to administrators to demand things like expedited rights reversion, no AI use, return of electronic files (cover art, typesetting, etc) and the option to get any remaining copies of your books. DM me and I will send the template over
June 10, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Unbound authors and former staff members who want to talk, including anonymously, get in touch at rachael.healy@observer.co.uk
The US thing of the cast meeting people in the lobby to shake hands and chat can work as a mid-ground.
June 3, 2025 at 7:51 AM
The US thing of the cast meeting people in the lobby to shake hands and chat can work as a mid-ground.
Completely - but on occasion I selfishly want to cling on to the emotion.
June 3, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Completely - but on occasion I selfishly want to cling on to the emotion.
I also think that quite a few plays would benefit from cutting the curtain call, to really revel in the ending’s impact.
June 3, 2025 at 7:43 AM
I also think that quite a few plays would benefit from cutting the curtain call, to really revel in the ending’s impact.
Derevo’s “Ketzal” when the sun rises out of a huge pool of water
Ontroerend Goed’s “Once and For All…” when they do everything ‘multiplied, inflated, magnified and tenfold’
Prior’s final speech in “Angels in America”
de Sade on his chair in “Marat/Sade”
Ontroerend Goed’s “Once and For All…” when they do everything ‘multiplied, inflated, magnified and tenfold’
Prior’s final speech in “Angels in America”
de Sade on his chair in “Marat/Sade”
June 3, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Derevo’s “Ketzal” when the sun rises out of a huge pool of water
Ontroerend Goed’s “Once and For All…” when they do everything ‘multiplied, inflated, magnified and tenfold’
Prior’s final speech in “Angels in America”
de Sade on his chair in “Marat/Sade”
Ontroerend Goed’s “Once and For All…” when they do everything ‘multiplied, inflated, magnified and tenfold’
Prior’s final speech in “Angels in America”
de Sade on his chair in “Marat/Sade”
Thanks v much - can you follow me so I can DM?
June 1, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Thanks v much - can you follow me so I can DM?
@dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social @matpringle.bsky.social Could either of you add me to the Unbound WhatsApp? I can DM my number if you follow me. My book is “Dangerous Women” from 2022. Thanks!
June 1, 2025 at 12:43 PM
@dj-acid-reflux.bsky.social @matpringle.bsky.social Could either of you add me to the Unbound WhatsApp? I can DM my number if you follow me. My book is “Dangerous Women” from 2022. Thanks!
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Excited to say that "Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction" written by myself and @suereviews.bsky.social is finally ready to preorder! Afaik the first general academic introduction covering the ND movement, ND studies, and applications of ND theory in practice.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
May 5, 2025 at 9:48 AM
Excited to say that "Neurodiversity: A Very Short Introduction" written by myself and @suereviews.bsky.social is finally ready to preorder! Afaik the first general academic introduction covering the ND movement, ND studies, and applications of ND theory in practice.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
Tickets are still available for our conversation with playwright and screenwriter David Harrower on Friday 4 April at 11am at @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social He'll talk about his new series "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth", starring Colin Firth. Join us!
efi.ed.ac.uk/event/in-pur...
efi.ed.ac.uk/event/in-pur...
In Pursuit of Justice: Lockerbie - Edinburgh Futures Institute
A conversation with playwright David Harrower about creativity and the role of drama in the pursuit of justice. In collaboration with IASH.
efi.ed.ac.uk
March 31, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Tickets are still available for our conversation with playwright and screenwriter David Harrower on Friday 4 April at 11am at @edfuturesinstitute.bsky.social He'll talk about his new series "Lockerbie: A Search for Truth", starring Colin Firth. Join us!
efi.ed.ac.uk/event/in-pur...
efi.ed.ac.uk/event/in-pur...
Reposted by Ben Fletcher-Watson
2025 marks 55 years since the first Fellows arrived at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities ( @iashedinburgh.bsky.social) at the University of Edinburgh.
To mark its 55th anniversary, the Institute is planning a series of events - all info, programme & tickets 👇
To mark its 55th anniversary, the Institute is planning a series of events - all info, programme & tickets 👇
55 years of blue-sky thinking - Dr Ben Fletcher Watson | SAHA: The Scottish Arts and Humanities Alliance
A joint initiative of Scottish Higher Education institutions, the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Scottish Graduate School for Arts and Humanities.
saha.scot
March 11, 2025 at 10:09 AM
2025 marks 55 years since the first Fellows arrived at the Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities ( @iashedinburgh.bsky.social) at the University of Edinburgh.
To mark its 55th anniversary, the Institute is planning a series of events - all info, programme & tickets 👇
To mark its 55th anniversary, the Institute is planning a series of events - all info, programme & tickets 👇