Laura is a Olivier award winning playwright and screenwriter.
She is currently developing several feature films, including a major book adaptation with Blueprint Pictures, and is an executive producer and writer on Jilly Cooper’s Rivals for Disney+.
Her National Theatre play HOME, I’M DARLING premiered at Theatr Clwyd in 2018 before playing at the National where it received rave reviews. HOME, I’M DARLING won the award for Best New Comedy at the 2019 Oliviers.
“Laura Wade’s superb new play” The Stage *****
“An amusing, affecting, inspiring evening of soft gingham and hard truths”
The Times *****
“Laura Wade’s sharp satire is a fizzing drama of gender, homes and housework” Time Out ****
In 2018 Laura adapted Jane Austen’s unfinished novel THE WATSONS for the stage for Chichester Festival Theatre. After a successful run at the Menier Chocolate Factory, THE WATSONS will open at the West End in 2020 at the Harold Pinter Theatre.
“A stunning play” The Guardian *****
“Jane Austen’s unfinished novel bursts onto the stage in Wade’s brilliantly funny take” Metro *****
“Excellent. Jane Austen has never been quite as much fun.” The Times ****
In 2015 Laura adapted Sarah Waters’ TIPPING THE VELVET for the stage. The Play premiered at the Lyric Hammersmith before transferring to the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh.
Laura’s screenplay THE RIOT CLUB, an adaptation of her 2010 stage play POSH, premiered at Toronto International Film Festival 2014. It opened in cinemas on September 2014. The film is directed by Lone Scherfig and stars Max Irons, Sam Claflin and Douglas Booth.
POSH opened in the West End at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 11 May 2012. The original production opened at the Royal Court Theatre in April 2010 to sell out audiences. Laura is currently under commission to the Royal Court, Hampstead Theatre and The Lyric, Hammersmith.
“beautifully observed, very funny” The Evening Standard ****
“Laura Wade’s depiction of wealth and privilege is savagely funny” Time Out *****
The Sunday Times ****
The Financial Times****
What’s On Stage *****
The Daily Telegraph ****
In November 2010 her play for voices, KREUTZER VS KREUTZER, was performed as part of a concert by the Australian Chamber Orchestra featuring music by Beethoven and Janacek, on a national tour of Australia, including the Sydney Opera House.
Laura’s play ALICE, a new adaptation of ALICE IN WONDERLAND for Sheffield Theatres opened in June 2010.
“…a delight…” Guardian ****
“…surreal, funny, touchingly relevant…” Sheffield Star
“…dazzling piece of theatre.” Yorkshire Post ****
Independent ****
Sunday Times ****
Her play OTHER HANDS premiered at Soho Theatre in February 2006 to enormous acclaim:
“What an outstanding talent…Her feel for character is exceptionally keen and she also writes excellent gags. This is an extraordinary feat- a vicious satire with a heart of gold- wrought with peculiar subtlety and intelligence.” The Spectator
“I take it back. Last week I was bewailing the current lack of outstanding new plays, and now here is one. ” The Independent
Laura’s play COLDER THAN HERE premiered at Soho Theatre in February 2005 followed shortly afterwards by her Royal Court Theatre debut BREATHING CORPSES – both of which won rave reviews. Laura was subsequently joint winner of the prestigious George Devine Award 2005. COLDER THAN HERE has its US premiere in New York, as an MCC Theater Production in September 2005. In 2006 Laura won the Pearson Most Promising Playwright Award and was nominated for an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre for COLDER THAN HERE and BREATHING CORPSES.
Laura’s groundbreaking adaptation of WH Davies’ YOUNG EMMA opened at the Finborough Theatre, London (where she was a Pearson Writer-in-Residence) in December 2003 presented by Bright Angel Productions and directed by Tamara Harvey.
“Wade’s script never makes too much of it, skipping through the tale, spicing all with gentle humour. This is a sweet, bawdy Fringe gem. Go see it. It’s enriching.” Critics Choice – Kieron Quirke, Time Out
Laura was a member of the Royal Court Young Writers Programme in 2003.
Laura has written several plays for young people including THE WILD SWANS, TWELVEMACHINE, and THE LAST CHILD, a trilogy of fairy tale reworkings for Playbox Theatre. She has also written a number of plays for BBC Radio, including HUM, OTHERKIN, COUGHS & SNEEZES and GOOD TIMES ROLL.
Photograph by Linda Nylind
