Nicolas Ridley

Nicolas Ridley writes fiction, nonfiction and stage plays. His plays have been performed by professional and non-professional companies in theatres and at drama festivals in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, Belgium, Australia and the USA. A prize-winner and three times a Pushcart Prize nominee, his short stories, nonfiction and flash fiction pieces have appeared in a range of anthologies, magazines and literary journals in the UK, Ireland, Canada and the USA.

Photo: Paddy Gormley

News

Plays Being Performed This Autumn

Rude Awakenings – five performances between 4th and 11th September by The Broadstone Stone Players at Broadstone War Memorial Hall, Tudor Road, Broadstone.

Double Bubble – one performance on 25th September by Stretham Players at ADC Theatre, Park Street, Cambridge.

Double Bubble – two performances on 2nd & 3rd October by Stretham Players at Stretham Parish Rooms, 42 High Street, Stretham, Ely.

Rude Awakenings – two performances on 30th & 31st October by Branching Out Drama Society at The New Beaconsfield Hall, Church Path, Chipping Norton.

Six of One / Not a Friend of the Family – two performances on 5th November by Talisman Theatre Company at Holiday Inn, Kenilworth, Warwick Road, Kenilworth.

Poster of Remarkable life of Arnold Ridley

Mansel David stars as Arnold Ridley, best known as Private Godfrey in the BBC TV series Dad’s Army, in The Remarkable Life of Arnold Ridley. The play tells the captivating and uplifting story of the people and events that shaped Ridley’s extraordinary life and led to his late-in-life celebrity.

Dates:

Friday, 4 September at 6.30pm
Saturday, 5 September at 2:30pm and 6:30pm
Sunday, 6 September at 3pm

Venue:

Worlds End Café Courtyard, 132 Lots Road, London SW10 0RJ

Black and white photo of short play Redress. Woman in bed looking at a man by chest of drawers

My short play, Redress, was performed script-in-hand at North London Actors, Archway, on 27th July, 2026.

Cast:

Gloria – Hilary Field

Tony – Kenn Michaels

Directed by Kenn Michaels

READ THE SCRIPT

Mangotsfield Junction. That’s where I’ll set my thriller.

I’d sometimes wondered how a man feels when he’s told he’s ruined.

Photographs by Charlie Matters

Were You Anyone Before Dad's Army?

The missing history of Private Godfrey

My play about my father, the author, actor and playwright, Arnold Ridley, was given four performances by Theatre Reviva! at The Mission Theatre, Bath, 19-21 March.

Cast: Mansel David, Laura Fitzpatrick, Samantha Parry, Joe Sargent and Jaymes Sygrove. Directed by Graham Pountney.

Look, Arnold. Sir Henry Irving.

War would be a glorious adventure.

I found myself leading back a group of stragglers.

A young woman handed me a white feather.

For four wretched years I sold boots and shoes.

House Full

Photographs by Charlie Matters

Some audience reactions to the show:

“What a beautifully told and honest story, incredibly moving.”

“Congratulations on the marvellous production of Were You Anyone Before Dad’s Army? It was completely absorbing, very well paced, exceptional acting and superb direction.”

“Absolutely excellent – fantastic acting by everyone – deserves an award.”

“It held our attention all the way through.”

“Thank you so much for a great evening with wonderful performances full of integrity and authenticity.”

“If I had another free evening, I’d come back and watch a second time.”

“A fabulous evening to a packed house – beautifully written and acted.”

“Sensitive, very moving, brilliantly performed.”

“A really well-written play with a mix of humour and emotion.”

“Thoroughly enjoyed the play – lovely feeling script and so well acted.”

“Congratulations on writing and staging such an entertaining and interesting play.”

“Superb play.”