Heather Dunmore

Heather always wanted to be a writer. Journalism came first. She started out as a house journal editor for South West Gas, winning the Best Newcomer to Industrial Editing Award in 1976, later working on the 'Leyland Mirror' in Oxford. It was while studying English and Publishing as a mature student at Brookes University – in all honesty being bundled into a van and taken to see 'Top Girls' at The Royal Court - that she got the drama bug. Journalism wasn’t completely left behind as Heather wrote freelance pieces for the Oxford Mail & Times and was a runner-up in the Guardian Travel Writing Competition in 2012. Along the way, being selected for the Royal Court Introduction to Playwriting course and the Oxford Playhouse Playmaker Course led by John Retallack were significant milestones . As were four short pieces selected by Theatre 503 for their Rapid Write Response nights and many short pieces produced with Oxford Playwrights; not to mention eight years as a member of the team at Oxfordshire (rural) Touring Theatre Company. Her first full length play, 'Blue', about depression, won a competition with a production in Telford. Performances in Oxford and Thame followed and a week at the Edinburgh Fringe. Being asked by the Director of Another Theatre Company, Cathy Turner, to produce her own shortened version of the play was the start of an enduring and mutually beneficial friendship. After 'Blue', Cathy directed 'Faceless' about grooming, both winning several awards at NODA Festivals. She also directed my latest play 'The Serpent’s Tooth' which seeks to expose the growing tide of grandparents being denied access to their children and grandchildren, which we took to Edinburgh in 2023, winning a **** review from The Scotsman. Heather is currently adapting this play for radio. Plays include: 'Blue' Published by Samuel French. 'Testament to a Trade' with Joel Kaye and Gwilym Scourfield for Oxford Theatre Guild. 'Margot, Casualties of War' – Finalist, Sandpit Arts Bulbul Competition, 'Faceless , Spitfire Sisters' with Doc Andersen-Bloomfield and Catherine Comfort, performed at The Space Theatre, London, 'The Serpent’s Tooth'