Simon Jay announced as recipient of PPP x Birds of Paradise Commission

We are delighted to announce that Simon Jay is the recipient of our joint writing commission with award-winning disability-led theatre company Birds of Paradise.

This commission was launched to discover fresh disabled writing talent in Scotland, and as a perfect partnership to hone in on disabled representation as part of our programme of diverse perspectives.

Simon was selected as the recipient from nearly 40 applicants, and his play will be brought to life as part of our Spring 2025 season. He will also receive valuable development support, including a paid first draft readthrough with a director and up to 3 actors.

Simon’s play will be officially announced as part of our season launch in January.

About Simon Jay

Simon Jay is a comedian, writer and performer who has created several theatre shows, including the award-winning Trumpageddon, which toured in the UK and Australia. He has performed his solo shows at theatres including the Young Vic, Kings Head Theatre, Wales Millennium Centre, Hen and Chickens, Chrysalis Theatre (Milton Keynes), and The Old Fire Station (Oxford). Simon’s collaborative projects include John Lewis: Never Knowingly Undertweeted (co-written with Ben Nardone, Drayton Arts) and Is He a Bit Simon Jay? (co-written with Scott Payne, UK Tour). His other plays include 4 Walls (Carabosse Theatre Co. Milton Keynes), Samantha Smith: America’s Youngest Activist (Scrawny Cat, Battersea), and 403 Forbidden (White Bear, Kennington). 

Simon is also the creator and editor-in-chief of Neurodiverse Review, a review site dedicated to supporting acts by and for disabled artists, especially at the Edinburgh Fringe.