Lucy Beacon

Playwright. Producer. Director.

Artistic Practice

My artistic practice explores the conflict between identity and societal expectations. Drawing on my background in music and community youth work, I create stories that challenge assumptions. I explore the unexpected human connections between people who seem worlds apart. The foundation of my practice is character-driven storytelling that examines how individuals define themselves against the backdrop of today's communities. My work spans numerous subjects, from humorous exploration of family snobbery, to examining different generations’ ideas of feminism. My writing explores the tensions between people’s aspirations, their socio-economic reality, and society’s expectations.

My creative work is often inspired by my career in the music industry. I have witnessed first-hand how the arts can be a uniting force between people from seemingly different backgrounds. These unconventional connections are examined in my full-length play Lofty Ambitions where classical sacred music is used to investigate questions of privilege, sexuality, and belonging. Also handling unexpected bonds is my amusing but poignant play Gone to Pot which explores a friendship between a young offender and a lonely pensioner. The uniting force of protest is explored in my full-length play Demolition.

Community engagement is central to my artistic vision. My background of working with children from vulnerable backgrounds – be that physical or emotional – has given me a passion to improve the lives of others. I seek to do this by channelling my artistic practice into areas that give a voice to the under-represented in society. I have created community theatre with church groups and the elderly, as well as with young people. I believe that writing and performing can change people’s lives for the better. Throughout my working practice I aim to support local neighbourhoods, and want in particular to highlight the experiences of the ever-changing communities of the East End of London. Strong inter-generational relationships can be a powerful opportunity to bond societies together when they start to fracture. My empathy and understanding of both the younger generations and the elderly, mean I am well placed to link together communities that can flourish through the arts.

Humour serves as a critical tool in my writing. Even when addressing weighty themes such as the oppression of the working poor, I employ comedy as a way of creating space for deeper reflection. I understand that laughter and pain often occupy the same emotional space.

As both writer and producer, I am committed to amplifying the voices of people and communities traditionally underrepresented on stage. I endeavour to explore how socio-economics, sexuality, race, and gender shape lived experiences and artistic expressions. I am particularly interested in the stories of the older generations as they are often overlooked within the creative industries. I enjoy creating stories with, and about, elderly communities to help combat loneliness and isolation.

Through my newly-formed theatre company, No Cucumbers in the Market, I curate theatre scratch nights in the East End of London. I seek out artists from diverse backgrounds to present work that both challenges and entertains. Through these projects, I hope to encourage the local community to tell their own stories, so they are preserved for future generations.