An aerial view of Singleton Campus and the bay opposite

Professor David Britton

Professor

English Literature

+44 (0) 1792 602564

d.j.britton@swansea.ac.uk

Basic Welsh Speaker

Office - 221
Second Floor
Keir Hardie Building
Singleton Campus

Available For Postgraduate Supervision

About

Playwright D.J.Britton is Head of English and Creative Writing and Professor of Dramaturgy at Swansea University. He moved to Wales from Australia, where his stage plays won major awards including Plainsong (Equity Production of the Year) and Cargo (Swan Gold Award). His latest theatre work Kamil and Francis (Richard Burton Theatre Cardiff; 2019) was acclaimed by Theatre Wales as "dynamic and absorbing. Every truth runs parallel with the political ethnic and religious divisions that beset us today...(To) have served up these ’delights’ so deliciously tells us that there still may be some hope left."

His current project is a five-part BBC drama about the composer William Byrd, starring David Suchet (due to go to air in Spring 2021).

D.J.Britton’s writing has been widely acclaimed. His version of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure (Sherman Cymru) gained a four star review in The Guardian and other successful recent stage works include the bi-lingual Windsongs of the Blessed Bay; The Wizard the Goat and the Man Who Won the War; Pembroke Arcadia; Old Peter’s Russian Tales, and Silverglass.

Areas Of Expertise

Original stage drama and adaptations
Radio/audio drama
Drama from current events
Pedagogy of Creative Writing teaching
Drama from historical sources
Theatre history
Australian Theatre
Welsh Theatre

Career Highlights

Teaching Interests

A deeply experienced teacher and mentor, Professor Britton specialises in helping emerging writers to find and develop their own unique voice. As well as university teaching at all levels from Year One BA to his PhD group, he has run workshops throughout the world, from the Welsh National Writers’ Centre at Ty Newydd Wales, to the Singapore’s Writers’ Laboratory. He teaches and mentors writing skills across all genres, this has included collaborations with people of many backgrounds. For example, he has worked in the Pacific Islands of Kiribati with the Micronesian theatre group Te Itibwerere, developing new works relevant to Island culture, and with the renowned Black Swan Theatre in Australia.

Professor Britton has taught in universities in Singapore, China and Australia and currently supervises PhD students in the US and Asia, as well as UK-based researchers.

Research Award Highlights Collaborations

Publications

Research Highlights

Britton, D. (2023). Cloudstreet: Audio Drama moving from naturalism to magical realism examining the lives of two families in Western Australia over 30 years and the loss of innocence of their home city, Perth.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63839
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mt0m
Britton, D. (2019). Kamil and Francis
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50590
Britton, D. (2019). Pembroke Arcadia
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50589
Britton, D. (2016). Windsongs of the Blessed Bay (written and directed theatre presentation)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33662
Britton, D. (2017). Chekhov's Three Sisters (New version. Radio dramatisation for BBC Radio 3)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33664

All Research

Other Research Outputs

Britton, D. (2023). Cloudstreet: Audio Drama moving from naturalism to magical realism examining the lives of two families in Western Australia over 30 years and the loss of innocence of their home city, Perth.
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63839
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001mt0m
Britton, D. (2019). Kamil and Francis
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50590
Britton, D. (2019). Pembroke Arcadia
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50589
Britton, D. (2017). The Dragon Man (BBC Radio 4 dramatisation)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa50588
Britton, D. (2017). Chekhov's Three Sisters (New version. Radio dramatisation for BBC Radio 3)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33664
Britton, D. (2016). Windsongs of the Blessed Bay (written and directed theatre presentation)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa33662
Britton, D. (2011). The Wizard the Goat and the Man Who Won the War
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14007
Britton, D. (2010). Measure for Measure (version/dramaturgy)
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14011
Britton, D. (2010). Oedipus/Antigone
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14010
www.methuendrama.com
Britton, D. (2008). Greed Fear Hunger Waste: A Play Cycle
SU Repository: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa14012

Supervision

A stage play exploring attitudes and prejudices towards ex-offenders. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Sally Barnden
The Death of Ambition. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Owen Sheers
Nothing Works and Nobody Cares (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Bilton
A Dystopic Interpretation of Isis, Mistress of Life: Woman of Destiny (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Troy Sagrillo
Stella Mitentis (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Kellermann
The Satanic School of Poets, Assassins, and Weirdos: An Exploration to Create a Comedic TV Series Combining Mystery and Fantasy Appeals to Audiences Worldwide by Rejuvenating the Classical British Poets Who are not Popular in Modern Movie/TV«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Nicko Vaughan
Fair: A Radio Drama«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» As communities change can lost stories help unearth present day truths?«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» «br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» «br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Owen Sheers
Buried Voices of Oklahoma Territory (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Rachel Farebrother
SOS Podcasts: Surviving in Deutschland (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Julian Preece
Creative Project - p;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;Dirt&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» «br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /»«br /» Research Essay - &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot;The study of Mockumentary Comedy in Europe and North America, and how it can be used in a creative process.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;quot; (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Nicko Vaughan
White Male Victim - Holding up a mirror to White male privilege, male fragility and the self-victimisation of White characters in Television drama. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Nicko Vaughan
A screenplay exploring masculine identity in contemporary Wales and a supporting exegesis which will investigate the ways in which the cinema of Wales constructs culturally and nationally specific forms of masculine identity. (current)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Elain Price

Other supervisor: Dr Elain Price

Other supervisor: Dr Joanna Rydzewska
‘Dating’, Deception, Drugs and Death: An exploration into the rise of serious crimes against men in England, as a result of using LGBTQI+ dating apps. (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Nicko Vaughan
Beyond the Myth - finding the truth and drama in a biographical screenplay. (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Prof Daniel Williams
'The Zagra Valley Codices' A Compilation of Writings (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Bilton
Oer, Developing Her Voice: A Heroine’s Journey to Literary Individuation through Speculative Fiction (awarded 2023)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Bilton
Wendy and Min: A Theatrical Response to British Chinese Acculturation, Identity and Cultural Hybridity (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Francesca Rhydderch

Other supervisor: Dr Francesca Rhydderch
An examination the role of theatre provides for the migrant experience and considering the types and styles of theatre best suited to this dramatic investigation. (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Ms Gilly Adams
A Dance for Daughters. Support essay: The Magpie Bridge. (awarded 2024)

PhD

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Bilton

Other supervisor: Dr Francesca Rhydderch
Improvisation &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; The Novel (current)

MPhil

Other supervisor: Prof Owen Sheers
The advantages and disadvantages and practices of Non Traditional Casting. (awarded 2023)

MPhil

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Kellermann
The communication of text in embodied live performance. How to make words sweat. (awarded 2023)

MPhil

Other supervisor: Dr Alan Kellermann

Taught Modules

EN-117 Creative Writing: Fiction Genres

An innovative module that will introduce the student to the art of writing within a broad range of genres. Weekly lectures will introduce each student to authors of specific genres, such as crime writing, historical fiction, fairytale, horror, fantasy, science fiction, romance and writing desire. Each lecture will be followed by a seminar that will focus on a variety of methods used to write in that specific genre. Regular assignments will offer the student a opportunity to write creatively - a unique opportunity to expand, discover, and explore their emerging writerly voice. Built into the module is a wide reaching reading programme that will assist each student to be conversant with the traditions of writing in a specific genre, whilst encouraging close reading and editing skills. Students will be taught by published authors who work within these particular genres, and will also have the opportunity to hear these authors read & discuss their own new work and works-in-progress. The module aims to examine the structure, voice, setting and genre, of specific written material so as to initiate curiosity, create empathy, and focus on increasing an understanding of the structures used within writing character, setting and historical context in a specific genre. Emphasis will be placed on the theory and practice of reading, comprehension and writing.
EN-118 Creative Writing: Styles of Fiction

An innovative module that will introduce the student to the art of writing within a broad range of styles. Weekly lectures will introduce each student to authors of specific styles, such as poetry, writing for theatre, song writing and professional writing. Each lecture will be followed by a seminar that will focus on a variety of methods used to write in that specific style. Regular assignments will offer the student an opportunity to write creatively - a unique opportunity to expand, discover, and explore their emerging writerly voice. Built into the module is a wide reaching reading programme that will assist each student to be conversant with the traditions of writing in a specific genre, whilst encouraging close reading and editing skills. Students will be taught by published authors who work within these particular genres, and will also have the opportunity to hear these authors read & discuss their own new work and works-in-progress. The module aims to examine the structure, voice, setting and style, of specific written material so as to initiate curiosity, create empathy, and focus on increasing an understanding of the structures used within research, writing character, setting and historical context in a specific style. Emphasis will be placed on the theory and practice of reading, comprehension and writing.
EN-309 Further Creative Non Fiction

In this module we explore the different forms and challenges of writing Creative Non-fiction. We look at various kinds of narrative non-fiction, including, among others, life writing (biographical and autobiographical work), travel writing, the essay, and writing about the human and natural environment. We also examine the ways in which such work is published, disseminated and read. The focus will be on narrative ¿ or, to use the tagline of the publication Creative Nonfiction, `True stories, well told.¿ This is a workshop-based writing class. Each session includes writing exercises and discussion of examples of published writing, as well as discussion and group feedback on students¿ work in progress.
EN-M35 Genre: Writing for the Stage

What makes writing dramatic? A consideration of some components of dramatic story-telling:thesis, narrative, character, style. Action versus reflection. The tension between the ordinary and the special. The Big Idea: Developing a central thesis. Narrative and Dramatic Structure:The modern two act play ( releasing possibilities/ reaping what we sow). Scene assemby. Choices in the use of time. Creating dramatic tension.Dialogue on the stage: Vanya on 42nd Street (Chekhov/Mamet); Waiting for Godot (Beckett). Style:A discussion of the choices available and current trends. Collaboration: Working with directors, actors, designers and technicians. Scripts that will provoke the interest of theatre professionals. Shaping and rewriting:Self-editing as you progress through drafts.
EN-M57 Writing Radio Drama

This module introduces writers to the special qualities of radio drama and its techniques. Sessions will include presentations and workshop discussions. Issues discussed will be supported by radio material. During the semester and the Christmas break, students will be expected to write a 45 minutes radio play. There is emphasis on the components of dramatic story-telling;thesis, narrative, character, style; action versus reflection; the tension between the ordinary and the special. Synopsis, Introduction, Dialogue for Drama, Charaterisation, Style, The sound-world, Writing for actors, Climaxes and conclusions.
EN-M68 Creative Non-Fiction

This module explores the demands and challenges of writing non-fiction prose across a range of subject matters and styles. `Creative non-fiction¿ is a broad term that can include, among others, travel writing, nature writing, memoir, biography, and literary journalism or other forms of documentary writing. What is common to all these forms is the combination of factual story-telling and evocative writing. This module provides an opportunity to write in a number of these non-fiction forms, with a focus on narrative. We will explore the creative imperatives of effective story-telling and the challenge of dealing with facts; the distinctions between fictional and factual storytelling; the place of the personal in documentary forms; the role of research, and opportunities for publication. · Introduction to non-fiction prose and narrative non-fiction · Subject matter, research, and ethical questions · Exploring the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction storytelling · Structure: beginnings, endings, and everything in between · Language and style: the first-person narrative and the third-person narrative · Exploring known and unknown lives · Exploring known and unknown environments · Opinion, politics, and personal perspective · Selecting, drafting and rewriting · Developing a publication portfolio
EN-MX11 University of Wyoming (Semester Study Abroad)
ENMD00 Creative Writing Dissertation

Individual Creative Writing project devised and defined in discussion between supervisor and student (within the parameters pertaining to genre detailed in the MA Creative Writing handbook)

Selected Research Projects

2018: Old Peter’s Russian Tales (Theatr Cadair for the Being Human Festival). Children’s show, produced with the support of the Arthur Ransome Trust, (Writer and co-director with Gilly Adams).

2017: Dragon Man (BBC Radio 4). 90-minute drama adaptation from Gary Disher’s dark prize-winning Australian crime novel, starring Richard Dillane. (Writer)

2017: Oedipus/Antigone (UIC University, Zhuhai, China) Second-language student production of Britton’s reworking of the Sophocles tragedy. (Director and writer)

2016: Windsongs of the Blessed Bay (Theatr Cadair). Stage play with music and puppetry drawn from Welsh myth and history. National tour.

2016: Copenhagen (new staging of Michael Frayn’s play for the British Science Festival.All-Welsh cast including Keiran Self, Rhodri Hugh Thomas, and Lynne Seymour. (Director)

2016: Three Sisters (BBC Radio 3). New version of the Chekhov classic, starring Hattie Morahan. (Writer).

2015; When Greed Becomes Hunger (BBC Radio 4) Completion of a acclaimed specially-commissioned series of issue-based dramas, offering speedy responses to global crises. These began with When Greed Becomes Fear, the first dramatic response to the financial crash, starring Penny Downie and Hattie Moahan, then Safe as Houses

(the housing crisis, with Rory Kinnear) Welcome to the Wasteland (environmental collapse, with Lesley Sharp) then When Greed Becomes Hunger (world food shortage, with Matthew Gravelle).

2013; Silverglass (Theatr Cadair / Rhys Davies Trust/ Literature Wales) New play about theunconventional relationship between writers Rhys Davies and Anna Kavan. Featuring Eiry Thomas and Richard Elfyn. (Writer and Director).

2011: The Wizard the Goat and the Man Who Won the War (Theatr Cadair) Richard Elfyn as Lloyd George in a production which has been in continual production ever since.

2010: Measure for Measure. (Sherman Cymru) Site specific version of Shakespeare’s problem play (Script version and Dramaturg)

2010: Oedpius/Antigone. (Sherman Cymru) Site specific production staged in the shell of the Sherman stripped for renovation. (Writer)

Professor David Britton

Telephone number

Email address

Welsh language proficiency

About

Areas Of Expertise

Career Highlights

Publications

Research Highlights

All Research

Other Research Outputs

Supervision

A stage play exploring attitudes and prejudices towards ex-offenders. (current)

The Death of Ambition. (current)

Nothing Works and Nobody Cares (current)

A Dystopic Interpretation of Isis, Mistress of Life: Woman of Destiny (current)

Stella Mitentis (current)

Buried Voices of Oklahoma Territory (current)

SOS Podcasts: Surviving in Deutschland (awarded 2023)

White Male Victim - Holding up a mirror to White male privilege, male fragility and the self-victimisation of White characters in Television drama. (current)

A screenplay exploring masculine identity in contemporary Wales and a supporting exegesis which will investigate the ways in which the cinema of Wales constructs culturally and nationally specific forms of masculine identity. (current)

‘Dating’, Deception, Drugs and Death: An exploration into the rise of serious crimes against men in England, as a result of using LGBTQI+ dating apps. (awarded 2024)

Beyond the Myth - finding the truth and drama in a biographical screenplay. (awarded 2023)

'The Zagra Valley Codices' A Compilation of Writings (awarded 2023)

Oer, Developing Her Voice: A Heroine’s Journey to Literary Individuation through Speculative Fiction (awarded 2023)

Wendy and Min: A Theatrical Response to British Chinese Acculturation, Identity and Cultural Hybridity (awarded 2024)

An examination the role of theatre provides for the migrant experience and considering the types and styles of theatre best suited to this dramatic investigation. (awarded 2024)

A Dance for Daughters. Support essay: The Magpie Bridge. (awarded 2024)

Improvisation &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; The Novel (current)

The advantages and disadvantages and practices of Non Traditional Casting. (awarded 2023)

The communication of text in embodied live performance. How to make words sweat. (awarded 2023)

Taught Modules

EN-117 Creative Writing: Fiction Genres

EN-118 Creative Writing: Styles of Fiction

EN-309 Further Creative Non Fiction

EN-M35 Genre: Writing for the Stage

EN-M57 Writing Radio Drama

EN-M68 Creative Non-Fiction

EN-MX11 University of Wyoming (Semester Study Abroad)

ENMD00 Creative Writing Dissertation

Selected Research Projects

Improvisation &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp; The Novel (current)