Richard is a writer of stories, pantomimes, choral music, poems and plays, many of which he produces himself.
Attractions
Richard has been commissioned to write and deliver many scripts for local festivals, organisations and attractions. These include The Hunt for the Magical Chocolatey Chick for the Little Vikings and Visit York Easter Festival, ‘A Journey through Space and Time’, telling the history of the old East Coast mainline, for York Greenways, promenade storytelling shows for Brimham Rocks and ‘A Night Before Christmas’ for York’s Castle Museum.
He was also resident writer and director for York Maze for 10 years, writing and producing 12 different pantomime style shows for them, and he has co-written Father Christmas experiences at Castle Howard alongside Storycraft Theatre.
Pantomime
With a strong background in performing pantomimes (at York Theatre Royal and Nottingham Playhouse), Richard has become a regular writer of pantomime scripts. He has written many short scripts for York Maze he has written 5 full youth theatre panto scripts, commissioned and performed by Badapple Youth Theatre.
In 2024, he was commissioned to write and direct a 3-hander professional touring pantomime for Badapple Theatre in association with Rural Arts, and the result was the eco panto mash-up, ‘Sleeping Beauty and the Beast’.
“Sleeping Beauty And The Beast is a panto-mash-up of Sleeping Beauty and Beauty And The Beast from the inquisitive, anarchic mind of Richard Kay. And what a smash of a mash he makes in this madcap marriage.”
Charles Hutchinson
Theatre
As well as Pantomimes, Richard has written a number of theatre scripts, enjoying success with the Script Yorkshire’s ‘Script Factor’ competition, making it to the final twice, and taking part in ‘Page to Stage’ events.
Radio scripts
In 2019 Richard won the Script Yorkshire 30th anniversary radio drama competition. His short radio play entitled Mistaken Identity was produced by Stefan Escreet. He was also commissioned to write and record a full radio play during the first lockdown for Badapple Theatre, entitled Togetherness
Children’s Stories
As a Storyteller, Richard has written several poems and stories for festivals, workshops and storytelling events. See Writing – examples of work for further information and to read some of his stories.
Music
As a choir leader and composer, Richard has created choral arrangements of pop songs including Rule the World and God Only Knows. He has also composed new songs for his choirs and is published by Banks Music Publications and on Sheet Music Plus
Richard Kay 