Polly Wiseman

Polly is a writer and performer. They trained as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began writing plays as a member of The Royal Court Theatre Young Writer’s Programme and Soho Theatre Writer’s programme. 

Plays include: Bright - Soho Theatre, Trying It On - Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, adapted for BBC TV, The Pinball Master - National Theatre Studio at Hampstead Theatre, Loaded – Birmingham Rep and tour, Fierce– Brighton Festival and North American tour, Dark Pub Quiz (toured Sussex pubs), Amazing Madame Midnight (immersive show in the night on a nature reserve and online) Femme Fatale – Latitude Festival, Wilton’s Music Hall, South East tour and Omnibus Theatre London, Damage Control – Playground Theatre, transferred to Riverside Studios, Somewhere In England – Eastern Angles tour, Manchester Sound – Home Mcr, nominated for a Manchester Theatre Award, You Know The Answer, Jermyn Street Theatre, The Power - short-listed for the Nick Darke Award, Stormin’ Jack Norman - Theatre 503, Swedish Rustic – BAC.

For their own theatre company, Fireraisers, Polly has written and directed a number of immersive shows in woodlands, warehouses, stately homes, Selfridges window on Oxford Street, various pubs, nightclubs and festivals – and an oil rig off Brighton Beach to 30,000 people. 

Polly has been writer-in-residence/on attachment for Birmingham Rep, Theatre Absolute, Theatre Royal Margate and has taught playwrighting for Birmingham Rep, Chelsea Theatre and Soho Theatre. 

They are currently under commission to Eastern Angles, Sphinx TC, Fireraisers and Company Gabrielle Moleta. Also a member of the 2021 Criterion New Writing programme (writing new work for the West End) and the Finborough Theatre Forum.

Their specific area of interest is mental health and neurodivergence, due to their lived experience of bipolar disorder, PTSD and ADHD. They are currently making a one person show, How To Go Crazy For Good, a comedy about bipolar and psychosis that will tour in autumn 2025.

Theatre review quotes

“Her writing sears and burns,”  Lyn Gardner, The Guardian on Bright.

“Wiseman’s challenging and sensitive play is perfectly pitched”  The Stage on Somewhere In England

“Economical, eloquent historical drama which speaks directly to Britain today.”  The Reviews Hub on Somewhere In England.

“Mesmerising. A play not to miss.” Upper Circle on Femme Fatale.

“Captivating: a real gift to the audience. If this isn’t theatre doing the very best job it can, then I don’t know what is.” LGBTQ Arts Review on Femme Fatale.