Clare Summerskill - The Writer
As a writer Clare has worked for many years in theatre and for radio. She has written plays for companies such as AGE EXCHANGE, in London and WOMEN AND THEATRE in Birmingham. She wrote the award winning Lesbian musical "AN EVENING WITH KATIE'S GANG" which was produced at Oval House Theatre, London. She now mainly writes plays for her own theatre company, ARTEMIS.
For radio Clare has contributed to the last series of "Weekending" on BBC RADIO 4. She also wrote for the BBC RADIO 2 women's comedy sketch show "Heated Rollers" and she both wrote for and appeared in the first ever pilot for a Lesbian and Gay sketch show on Radio 4, "So What If I Am?".
Clare has just had her first book published, packed full of comedy monologues, hilarious song lyrics and a few of her unique short stories. This delightful collection of Clare's work is beautifully illustrated by the lesbian cartoonist Kate Charlesworth.
Sarah Waters has said of Clare's writing that it is: "Smart, witty, and with an eye for the sometimes poignant detail of everyday life."
We're the Girls includes many of Clare's funniest characters: Ange, the tattooed softy behind the bar; Lucy, the loved-up girl about town; Fennel and Camomile who have downsized to a tepee; and Betty from Barnstaple who is constantly endeavouring to understand her daughter's lesbian lifestyle.
The short stories in Clare's book cover tales of Wild Women Weekends, holidays in the Sapphic sun and clearly-remembered-but-possibly-best-forgotten crushes on teachers from schooldays. The song lyrics range from the poignancy of "I'm a We" to the extremely raw "Revenge Song" to the universal cry of "Why Can't I Find Someone Normal?"
To find out how to order a copy of "We're The Girls" by Clare Summerskill please send an e-mail to
Clare has had two short stories published, "MAGGIE MAYBE" in GROUNDSWELL ed H.Sandler and "WILD WOMAN" in THE DIVA BOOK OF SHORT STORIES ed H.Sandler. She also runs comedy writing workshops for women. For writing workshop inquiries please e-mail
GATEWAY TO HEAVEN by CLARE SUMMERSKILL is a play written entirely from the memories of lesbians and gay men. Visit: www.gatewaytoheaven.co.uk
Reviews of "Gateway to Heaven"
"An immaculately performed play about the history of lesbians and gays, taken from the experiences and
memories of ordinary people." - New Statesman
"An outstanding piece of theatre" - Kenric Magazine
"Throughout this beautifully crafted piece of theatre we feel the uplifting strength of the human spirit
and hear unity across all the different voices and stories which gives it a wide appeal to a range of audiences,
young and old, lesbian, gay or heterosexual. For some it will be a nostalgic story, for others it will be an
eye-opener to a different era" - Gay Carers Magazine
"A fascinating, involving piece which directly engages the audience with its spark, warmth and wit" - Theatreworld Internet Magazine
Clare can be booked to present a TALK on the research, writing and production of the show "GATEWAY TO HEAVEN". During this talk she also demonstrates how historically lesbians and gay men have had very different life experiences from their heterosexual counterparts which inevitably needs to be taken into consideration when looking at present care and support networks for them as they grow older in our society. The talk lasts approximately thirty minutes and includes Clare performing extracts of some of the theatrical monologues from the show. She has previously given this presentation to several organisations including CSCI, GALIPS AGM, DORSET "OLD AND GREY" CONFERENCE and WEST YORKSHIRE ARCHIVE SERVICE.
Clare has also been booked on several occasions to perform her stand-up and comedy songs as the entertainment for various AGMS and Conferences. These include SPECTRUM (Home Office LGBT Staff), The DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, (LGBT Staff Group) OLDER LESBIAN NETWORK, METROPOLITAN COMMUNITY CHURCH and KENRIC.
To book Clare Summerskill for a performance or to give a talk or to inquire about her Women's Comedy Writing Workshops contact
Clare has also written several commissioned plays for social sector organisations, which have been performed at various conferences and AGMS.
For the NHS she wrote and with members of her theatre company performed two short plays. One was for a Chief Nursing Officers Conference and the issues that were tackled dramatically were around Inequality and Social Exclusion. The other NHS play was performed to nurses at a conference, which addressed the theme of "Shifting The Balance Of Power". Issues covered in this piece included: Primary Care Trusts, Strategic Health Authorities and Securing Clinical and Professional Leadership.
For MOSAIC Housing Association Clare produced a short play addressing issues around older tenants. Areas addressed in this piece included Housing Associations' communication with older tenants: Provision of aids and adaptations in older people's homes: Minimalisation of disruption when repairs are carried out in older people's homes.
For AGE CONCERN NATIONAL AGM Clare, in partnership with Women And Theatre Company, wrote a short play addressing issues such as Images of older people in the media, Grey Power, The financial and emotional costs of nursing home provision, older people and sexuality and older people and their transport needs.
Any inquiries please contact