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What's New?
A Frequently updated list of forthcoming/recent events and publications.

The aim of this page is to keep website visitors up to date with Judy's new projects.
New Link: The Diversity Website. This website has a large interesting section on BBC radio plays, with details of playwrights, reviews and articles.
New Page: Lockdown Tales. Lots of new fiction produced for these strange times.
New Page: Podcasts. Some of Judy's fiction that you can listen to online.
New Page: Sniff Them Out, Brownlow - Details of the first Brownlow novel, with Judy's illustrations.
New Page: Miscellaneous Plays - Details of short plays, rehearsed readings, and general theatre work from this page 2005-16.
New Page: Brownlow Checks In. - Details of the second Brownlow novel, with more of Judy's illustrations of the animal cast.

What's New?

2024.

  

Judy's novel Brownlow Checks In is reviewed in the January 2024 issue of Sussex Life magazine - on sale now.

Visit sussexlifemagazine.co.uk

2023.

The Autumn season has arrived. It will be Christmas before you know it. Need any gift ideas? How about a book (or two)?

Judy's second Brownlow Novel (Brownlow Checks In) was reviewed in the Autumn 2023 edition of Ingenu/e magazine.

CREATIVITY UNWRAPPED - SHOREHAM-BY-SEA & ADUR.
8th - 17th September 2023.

 

As part of Heritage Open Days, Judy's home town has a festival of talks, trails and film to celebrate creativity in all its forms. As part of this, Adur Unwrapped is an exhibition of well-known (or in some cases, sadly forgotten) creative people who have lived in the local area. These include poets, novelists, actors, opera singers, a trapeze artiste, and even the woman who invented the London A-Z. Judy was responsible for the historical research involved in the project.

The twenty chosen creative people are currently displayed on posters all around the Adur district. If you live further away you don't have to worry, as all the details and biographies are currently on the Shoreham Wordfest website.

BROWNLOW CHECKS IN.

 

The second Brownlow novel has just been published by Hobart Books.

Synopsis: Stravinsky the pedigree Russian Blue and McCracken the Scottish Fold cat at stolen from upmarket cattery Felinicity Hotel and Spa. Can Sophie Gorrage and Brownlow find them before the trail goes cold?

Order on Amazon - Brownlow Checks In: It takes a dog to catch a cat burglar: 2 (A Brownlow Mystery)

Details and pictures on a special Brownlow Checks In page of this website.

CLIMATE SPRING.

Earlier this year BBC Writers room worked with Climate Spring on their new Hot House opportunity - a development lab for scripted long form TV and feature film projects about climate change which is being run in partnership with BFI Network (made possible with National Lottery funding). Writers were asked for ideas that explore climate change creatively by submitting a one page pitch together with a sample script written for TV, Film or Stage.

Thursdsay 13th April. Judy was announced as one of the Development Lab Participants.

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN (Update).

With all the news about Sniff Them Out, Brownlow, you might overlook Judy's debut mystery novel - the best selling "Out of the Frying Pan". However, this novel too has had a succession of great reviews. The latest is by Simon Jenner at Fringe Review - http://fringereview.co.uk/review/brighton-year-round/2023/out-of-the-frying-pan/

'Witty, observant, self-deprecating, very funny, full of subversive glee, with its own moral field. I'd put nothing past this extremely gifted writer.'  - Simon Jenner, Fringe Review.

SNIFF THEM OUT, BROWNLOW! (Updates).

Sniff Them Out, Brownlow! was reviewed in Your Dog magazine - March 2023.

"Although light-hearted in tone (and no animals come to any harm), the book does make serious points about responsible ownership and the inadequate response of the legal system to dog theft. Following the successful launch of the book, there is a sequel in the pipeline. In the meantime, ‘Sniff Them Out, Brownlow!’ is one to enjoy curled up on the sofa with your dog beside you." - Your Dog review.

The Your Dog magazine article mentions a Brownlow sequel in the pipeline.

So here is a little look at new character Arwen the Cat from Brownlow Checks In. Coming soon...

  

The April edition of Sussex Life features Judy in the My Life in Books column.

Sniff Them Out, Brownlow! was reviewed in the March 2023 edition of Sussex Life.

   

The March issue of Writing Magazine features Judy in its "Five Quick Questions" column.

Enjoying Judy's watercolour sketches on this page? There are more on the new Sniff Them Out, Brownlow! page of this site. Learn more about the (animal) cast of Judy's latest mystery novel.

Sniff Them Out, Brownlow now has the following reviews online:-

Ingenue Magazine issue 38 -  ingénu/e 38, winter 2022/23 by ingenue.magazine (Review on page 68)

Promoting Crime Fiction Blogspot - https://promotingcrime.blogspot.com/2023/01/sniff-them-out-brownlow-by-judy-upton.html

Tortoiseshell And White.

A new short radio play was broadcast on Ocean City Radio, Plymouth on Friday 20th January 2023 (at 5pm and 9pm)


Synopsis: 'Bus driver Becky's online romance with an American soldier keeps her spirits up, but is he too good to be true?'
 
Cast: 
Becky: Tracey Powell
Jack - Nigel Billing

2022.

SNIFF THEM OUT, BROWNLOW!

Judy's new mystery novel for you 2022 Christmas stocking!

Genre: Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives; Crime and mystery: cosy mystery
ISBN: 978-1-914322-13-6
Publisher: Hobart Books
Format: Paperback/Kindle. Price £9.99
Pub date: 30 August 2022

He always follows his nose.

Sophie Gorrage and her trained sniffer dog Brownlow work as pet detectives. On any normal day they’ll track down all kinds of lost creatures, reuniting them with their grateful owners. But when the Cocker Spaniels of reality TV star Rouki Bennett are snatched from a Sussex common, Sophie is keen to take on the high profile case.

To her dismay Rouki doesn’t think that hiring the pet detectives will lead to the recovery of her beloved dogs. Before the demanding diva can decide, Sophie and Brownlow hear from chart-topping rapper Medalsum, whose dog Tasha has been grabbed during a violent carjacking in east London. He wants them to investigate.

In a brief period, two more canines in the public eye are stolen. Sophie suspects the cases are all related, and it appears she and Brownlow are dealing with a serial dognapper.

The pet detective duo has encountered dog thieves before, but those criminals were after fashionable breeds to sell on for quick profits, rather than targeting the dogs of celebrities. Why snatch their dogs though?

Sophie needs all her deductive skills and Brownlow his first class nose as they attempt to discover who is stealing the dogs, where they are taking them, and why. But just as they are getting close to their quarry, the stakes are dramatically raised, and the lives of both human and dog are put in peril.

See: https://www.hobartbooks.com/product-page/sniff-them-out-brownlow

‘This is a page turner, which I recommend, especially for those readers who love animals.’ Carol Westron, Promoting Crime Blogspot.

‘Judy Upton has created an engaging whodunit with her trademark blend of drama and humour. A thoroughly enjoyable read!’ Gill Kaye, Ingenu/e Magazine.

Also available is Judy's debut crime novel "Out of the Frying Pan", which has also been picking up some great reviews.

‘A light-hearted crime thriller set in Brighton. Great fun.’ - Jayne Angus, Yours Magazine

‘A crime novel with a difference! Wonderful, it makes a refreshing change.’ - Anne Pritchard, Number 9 Blogspot

‘Written with a great deal of warmth and wit, this light-hearted crime thriller jaunts along at a good pace with the perfect balance of scene-setting and action’. - Gill Kaye, Ingenu/e Magazine.

CRIMEUCOPIA (Anthology featuring GOOD BOY BROWNLOW!)

Crimeucopia - The Cosy Nostra by Various Authors. Contains: 'Good Boy Brownlow!' by Judy Upton
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Murderous Ink Press (17 Jun. 2021)
ISBN: 9781909498242
Format: Paperback and Kindle Edition

Details: Seventeen writers take us on Cosy journeys - some more traditional, while others are very much up to date.

Dog detective Brownlow actually made his debut in a short story in this anthology published in 2021. Of course, Brownlow now features in his first novel 'Sniff Them Out, Brownlow!' (Hobart Books).

OUT OF THE FRYING PAN (Novel)

See below for details of Judy's debut novel. There are now several reviews of this book online

Ingenue Magazine - https://issuu.com/ingenue.magazine/docs/ingenue-35_spring-2022_webr

Number 9 Review Blog spot  - https://number9reviews.blogspot.com/2021/11/book-review-out-of-frying-pan.html

Whispering Stories - https://www.whisperingstories.com/out-of-the-frying-pan-judy-upton-book-review/

The novel was a reader recommendation in Yours Magazine (issue 395. Feb 8-21 2022)

MAN'S BEST FRIEND (Short Story)

New short story 'Man's Best Friend' is in Italian literary magazine Open Doors Review this month

Open Doors Review, April 2022 Issue. https://www.opendoorsreview.com/

THE SPANISH FRIEND (Short Play)

Nice to see the theatres reopening. Judy had a new short play premiered at the 6th INK Festival in Halesworth, Suffolk.

The Festival ran from Thursday 21st April until Sunday 24th April 2022. Venues included The Cut, New Cut, Halesworth, Suffolk, IP19 8BY, and the Thoroughfare.

"There are so many fabulous plays to see, radio plays to listen to, poetry every day at The White Swan including Luke Wright, The Bare Face Theatre Company, fascinating talks from producers and writers of Clarkson's Farm and Ten Percent, the English version of Call My Agent plus a wonderful art show."

If you missed the festival, some of the plays are going on a tour across the east region. See below.

INK ON TOUR 
INK brings INK ON TOUR – a celebration of the short play, to 12 venues across East Anglia.
14th May - 28th May 2022

In May, after the hugely successful INK Festival, some of the best plays are going on tour to 12 venues in East Anglia, with contributions from writing superstars such as Miranda Hart. So if you missed INK Festival last weekend - come and see us us at one of these 12 venues.
Each performance will see nine brilliant short plays performed, from new writers to established playwrights, proving that the most exciting new plays can be unexpectedly short and entertaining.

There will be two 45 min halves with an interval. You may cry, laugh, feel shocked but most importantly, be prepared to be entertained!

The Line up
The Spanish Friend by Judy Upton, Shooter by Kimberly Kalaja, Raghead by Tom Coash, Stay Call! by Kevin Cuffe, Press Play by Seth Freeman, Elvis & Me by Jan Etherington and Gavin Petrie, The Most Important Journey Doesn’t Need a Passport by Miranda Hart, Consent by David Butler, Michelle and Little Fish by Sarah Baxter.

"We are delighted that 9 of the best brand new short plays which premiered at INK Festival 2022 are now going on tour to communities throughout our region. They have been selected from over 2000 new submissions by new and experienced writers – many with East Anglian connections. " - Julia Sowerbutts, Artistic Director of INK

DATES AND VENUES
14th May -Stage Two, Norwich,
15th- Jubilee Hall, Aldeburgh,
17th - St Georges Theatre, Great Yarmouth,
18th - Stoke by Clare Village Hall,
19th - Headgate Theatre, Colchester,
20th - Brandeston Village Hall,
21st - Westgate Theatre, North Norfolk,
22nd - Bradfield Village Hall,
25th - Sheringham Little Theatre,
26th - Geldeston Village Hall,
27th - St Audrys Club, Melton Woodbridge,
28th May - The Space, Isle of Dogs.
 
More details, or book your tickets at - INK | East Anglian Tour (inkfestival.org)

2021.

What Maisie Didn't Know.

A second published novel for 2021.

ISBN 978-1903110812
Price £14. Format: Hardback.
Publisher: Wrecking Ball Press

The further adventures of the characters from Judy's published novella "Maisie and Mrs Webster" (2018)

Synopsis: Maisie is outrageous, fun loving and one of life's rebels. Despite her serious mobility issues, she's excited to be moving into the new flat her "social wonder" has found her. Previously, her closest companion has been Mrs Webster, the spider she's made an Instagram sensation. Now, for the first time, she has neighbours and high hopes it's all going to be just like "Friends". But with a gun in the meter cupboard and strangers turning up day and night, Maisie soon starts to realise that home isn't always where the heart is.

Out Of The Frying Pan.

A brand new mystery novel.

Genre: Crime and mystery: private investigator / amateur detectives
ISBN: 978-1-914322-07-5 Format: Paperback
Pub date: 30 August 2021. Price £8.99

Synopsis: How many artists does it take to solve a kidnapping?

Brighton sculptor Vonnie Sharpe’s laid back routine is shattered when her flatmate Gina is carjacked during a bank robbery.

Gina’s car is found abandoned on the South Downs but there’s no sign of the quiet young chip shop worker. A worried Vonnie enlists the help of her arty friends in the race to find her. With a singer, actor and busker on her team, she half-wonders if she could’ve got Arts Council funding for her search.

Vonnie tracks down the bank robber, who insists he left Gina unharmed in her car. From here the trail twists and turns through art classes, language schools and escape rooms, as she narrows down her list of suspects. A ransom note arrives and it’s Vonnie who the kidnappers want to deliver the money. With the cash drop imminent and not knowing who she can trust, she needs to find answers - and quickly.

 

Judy Upton: Plays 2. 

This second volume of Judy's plays features Bruises; The Girlz; Sliding With Suzanne; Gaby Goes Global; and a selection of Lockdown Tales, plus an introduction by the author.

A PDF eBook (Watermarked) is available.
See https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/judy-upton-plays-2-9781350249172/ for more details

Urban Foxes.

The Amsterdam Quarterly 2020 Year Book contains Judy's story: Urban Foxes.

https://www.amsterdamquarterly.org/news/amsterdam-quarterly-celebrates-ninth-yearbook/ 

C.A.T.S.: Cycling Across Time And Space: 11 Feminist Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories about Bicycling and Cats

Stories about cosmic bicycles and fantastic felines Has your cat been plotting to take over command of your spaceship? This and other important questions are tackled in the 11 science fiction and fantasy stories in this volume, told variously from the perspectives of humans and cats. A bicycle designer finds an exciting new technical challenge on a planet inhabited by felines. A wise cat tries to convince an excited puppy not to chase cyclists. On Mars, a cat helps save the life of their human after a quake. In other stories, a student must live with the consequences of magic gone awry, a cat contrives to go on a bicycle trip, a police robot learns empathy, a captured tiger lashes out, and a young sphinx finds her wings.

Featuring stories by Alice Dryden, Cherise Fong, Gerri Leen, Gretchin Lair, Jessie Kwak, Judy Upton, Juliet Wilson, Kathleen Jowitt, Kiya Nicoll, Monique Cuillerier, and Summer Jewel Keown.

Available to pre-order.$12.95.
160 pages, paperback (8 oz).
Available in stores February 8, 2022
ISBN 9781648411199

Publisher: Elly Blue Publishing https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/16107

2020 - 21

Since the start of the Corona Virus pandemic in March 2020, Judy has been writing a series of monologues, short plays and stories, featuring people living under the lockdown. Many of these have already been filmed/published online, and so details can be found on a new page - LOCKDOWN TALES.

This includes

THE WHITE HART



Produced as a short film by Lights Down Productions. June 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUJiAvf1piA

Scenesaver: http://www.scenesaver.co.uk/production/the-white-hart/

Actor: Jodyanne Fletcher Richardson, director: Leah Townley, producer Caley Powell

2020.

NEW SHORT STORY - HENRIETTA 

https://hcemagazine.com/henrietta-judy-upton/

Synopsis: Henrietta appears to be a turtle, but things aren't quite as they seem.

PODCAST DRAMA - JUST LIKE GIVING BLOOD
https://lostsoulsmonologues.com/

A new 30 minute monologue available on: Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher etc

Sophie loves her husband and wants to have a baby more than anything in the world. Making IVF more affordable presents her with other possibilities. How important is biology to motherhood?

Written by Judy Upton
Directed by Hannah Genesius
Performed by Tamar Karabetyan

THE WALL.

Beyond the wall is a land of hope, but who is waiting to cross to the other side?

Featured in a selection of new writing curated by Lita Doolan, performed remotely at Brighton Fringe in Autumn 2020.

Moments of loss and conservation merge and mix with tips on how to throw the earth a life jacket up during these rocky times.
Here’s a 30 second snippet!   https://youtu.be/IH_Nc8-1v7I

STORM IN A 'B' CUP

Synopsis: An underwear making entrepreneur gets caught up in an international spying scandal. Surely her luxury bras can't be responsible?

Produced by Hand To Mouth Audio Theatre, July 2020
https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/handtomouth/episodes/2020-06-23T04_44_57-07_00
Actor: Philippa Kerswill, director David Pollard.

Also available as a free audible download at Amazon.

2019.

Theatre.

RAPTORS.

A half hour extract of a new full length play 'Raptors' performed in front of an audience at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. October 27th 2019

AFTERNOON DRAMA ON BBC RADIO 4

The Bulbul Was Singing.

Synopsis: Laura (Rebecca Humphries) is a young British woman who's been fighting with the Kurds against Isis. Now she's back in the UK, she finds herself charged with terrorism offences. By Judy Upton.

Directed by Emma Harding

Laura . . . Rebecca Humphries
Ariman . . . Shaniaz Hama Ali
Dad . . . Paul Hickey
Jonas . . . Jonny Holden
Instructor . . . Saya Zahawi
D I Kent . . . Catherine Cusack
PC Miller . . . Shaun Mason
Serena . . . Debbie Korley
Custody Assistant . . . Chris Pavlo

LISTEN HERE: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0007qbk

2018

NOVELLA - "MAISIE AND MRS WEBSTER"

HOMETOWN TALES: SOUTH COAST
Published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson
On Sale: 28th June 2018
Price: £9.99
ISBN-13: 9781474608701

A two novella volume containing 'Maisie And Mrs Webster' by Judy Upton

Synopsis: Maisie is an irrepressible force of nature, despite being bed bound, and Mrs Webster is a very influential spider.

PODCAST DRAMA



The Forgotten Women Podcasts
Peer Productions are currently working alongside Bishopsgate Institute to develop a new podcast series, Forgotten Women, that wants to celebrate female British activists who have been pushed into the margins of history.

Working together with heritage partners, professional actors and playwrights and our talented young artists from our Actor Development Programme, we are releasing 10 podcasts over the next year, bringing to life the stories of women whose remarkable contributions have remained unsung. You can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and many other podcast providers.

Our Actors have been visiting Bishopsgate Institute and Egham Museum to carefully research female activism across the last 150 years. Using the information they have found we have collaborated with writers and actors to bring the history to life. All our podcasts are recorded in front of a live studio audience, with our team using foley sound and live music.

For more information on the project visit the website, or find us on Twitter and Instagram.

This series has been directed and produced by our Associate Director, Rebecca Alloway.

Out For The Count by Judy Upton – Following Suffragettes and Suffragists on the night of the 1911 census

http://test.peerproductions.co.uk/the-forgotten-women-of-history-podcast/


CONFIDENCE

Boundless Theatre's 20th anniversary revival of Confidence was at Southwark Playhouse in May 2018. More details on the Confidence/Thin Man page.

WCTT YAC Act Two Presents

TEAM SPIRIT

Friday March 9th and Saturday March 10th (including matinee) 2018

Tania is alone at sea yet she has a million eyes on her, watching her every move. How often to we have the same experience in our daily lives?

Directed by Katie Turner-Halliday

Further details of the play, and productions can be found on the Team Spirit/Mermaid page.

 Theatre.

TOUGH TIMES, DIFFICULT DECISIONS.

A half hour extract of new full length play 'Tough Times, Difficult Decisions' was performed at Jermyn Street Theatre in London's West End, as part of Sheer Height Theatre Company's Women Redressed Festival. 10th - 13th April 2017

Film.

Exposed.

EXPOSED, Judy's ten minute screenplay that won production funding as one of the Film Council/Screen South's Digital Shorts was shot in the summer of 2009 in Porchester and Fareham. It was directed by Sue Dunderdale and produced by Diane Shorthouse.

‘Exposed’ is the story of Erin, a shy young woman who steals photographs in order to allow her to start conversations with other people. Erin has been bereaved and people don’t know what to say to her. Snatching photos from the digital developer in her local pharmacy gives her a number of fictional relatives, friends, boyfriends, babies and pets to talk to strangers about. But Adam, a young assistant in the pharmacy has noticed her stealing the photos…

Television.

Judy was awarded a Research and Development Grant from PAWS (Public Awareness Of Science & Engineering) to develop her TV series idea 'Tooth And Claw' with Film & General.

 

Text and Site Design - Copyright © 1999-2023 Judy Upton

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