What’s the Dealio with Nicola Cheeseman?
This is how she came about…
I got so sick of being invisibled, misrepresented in media and considered “old” because I’d tipped into my 50s (oh, c’mon!) that I wrote a one woman play about it.
“Nicola Cheeseman is Back” resonated with so many mid-life women who were rather snippy with the lazy ageism we find ourselves surrounded by and who loved seeing themselves on stage through the play’s heroine.
The diaries are an extension of the play and reveals the entertaining, musings of a menopausal 50-something woman who is somehow “suddenly” middle-aged and left wondering if it’s too late to be a post-punk, new wave goddess.
A small sample of what folks have said so far…
“Brilliant.” Karen Codd (NZ)
“Loved it - can’t wait for next instalment.” Roger Norton (US)
“You put into words what we are all thinking - thank you!” Erin Chandler (US)
“F**king genius” Lisa Paris (NZ)
“Nicola Cheeseman is Back” Image: Megan Goldsman
All About The Diaries…
Nicola was created in 2022 as the heroine of my one woman play but it turns out she still has alot to say. So I decided to adapt the play into a book - ‘The Nicola Cheeseman Diaries.” When you subscribe you’re getting the first look at this new work and joining me on the writing journey.
You can expect regular new fiction based on world of the play, LOLs, feels and fabulous Nicola Cheeseman audio for your listening pleasure.
PLUS you’ll have the option of supporting her lovely creator (I feel that’s a reasonable description) to write and keep producing plays. (More about me below.)
What You Get…
If you’re a free subscriber you can expect:
An occasional dose of Nicola Cheeseman
Diary instalments (some of which you can listen to.)
And if you’re a paid subscriber you’ll get:
A weekly Nicola Cheeseman installment
Weekly Nicola Cheeseman diary audio.
Behind the scenes info and writerly observations about original play
All the past instalments.
Enormous gratitude for supporting me to write this book!
Subscribe now to support get a regular dose of Nicola Cheeseman and access to publication archives.
Who is Nicola Cheeseman?
Nicola was born in 2022. The world premiere of “Nicola Cheeseman is Back” was presented by Plumb Theatre in 2024 and saw Nicola brought to life on stage via the fabulous Jodie Rimmer and director Paul Gittens.
Nicola is a 50-something office manager for a PR firm. Her boss, Amanda, is 34 - as is just about everyone else in the office. At home, she shares a house with her kids Sonya (12) and Ryan (19) - and her elderly mother-in-law Ingrid. Her husband Dougie left around 18 months ago, to be with someone called Mindy (32), but neglected to take Ingrid with him.
Yeah, we don’t like Dougie…
Nicola ponders throughout the play why she’s in charge of everyone else’s happiness when she has not given attention to her own?
And that’s an excellent question. Thousands of women contacted me via socials to exclaim “I loved this play!” but also to say - I want to know what happens next…
Hence The Nicola Cheeseman Diaries had to be written.
Here’s the type of thing people said about the play…
"Without doubt one of the most outstanding, entertaining, moving and inspirational theatre and writing experiences I’ve ever had. Bravissima! Cherry Slits 4eva." Michael Giacon
"Holy sh*tballs - that was incredible! The writing was a masterpiece, Jodie Rimmer's performance a masterpiece - a thoroughly enjoyable romp." Karen Codd
"Bloody funny & enlightening piece of theatre." Sally Christie
And if you’re interested, a couple of reviews…
https://www.andrewwhiteside.com/theatre-review-nicola-cheeseman-is-back/
https://www.theatreview.org.nz/production/nicola-cheeseman-is-back/
Hello Author! Kathryn Burnett
I’ve been a pro writer for about 25 years, working across TV, film, theatre and prose. Of all the things I’ve ever written, writing for theatre is my favourite. I was wowed by the response from women to my play “Nicola Cheeseman is Back” and it seemed like a no-brainer to keep giving this character a voice. I’m looking forward to seeing where she goes. Come with…
PS: Oh, and when I’m not writing, I teach writing workshops and coach other writers.
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