Writing

Plays, Short Stories, Film Scripts, Booklets, Copywriter, Theatre Reviewer, Poems – and a Novel

Susanne is a national award winning playwright and has been telling stories since she learned to talk.

She became a published poet aged 17, and is mainly known for writing plays which have been performed all over East Sussex.

In addition, she writes short stories and has one published novel.

She is also a freelance journalist for local papers, magazines and blogs.

She is part of the “Paperweights” anthology, published by Scope in 2015.

Details of all performed plays and published writing appear below.

Days

The Lantern Theatre, Brighton, May 2023, produced by Twilight Theatre

Actor, Director, Writer, Producer, Sound Design, Lighting Design, Projector Design, Film Design, Publicity and Promotion

The review and the audience feedback were stunning. This can be found in the sister website: Twilight Theatre.

“Trilby McDowall & the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry” Educational Film & Booklet

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2022

Project Director, Researcher, Writer, Teacher, Script Writer, Film Director, Actor, Presenter, Voice Over, Film Crew

Wickanory

Short stories on film – in production

April – June 2021, Wick Theatre Company

Producer, Actor, Film Maker, Writer, Publicity and Promotion

from “The Picture” also written by Suse
Link to the Film

Above taken from “Narcissus and Echo” adapted by Suse, part of “Sweet Shorts”. Link to film here.

Ghostly Christmas Advent Calendar

Short films, 1-24 December 2020, Wick Theatre Company

Producer, Actor, Film Maker, Writer, Publicity and Promotion

Two short stories were featured in the Advent Calendar. Links to the films on YouTube are below.

Excerpt from “Safe” featuring Sam Razavi
Excerpt from “The Box” featuring Luke Mepham

“Crime and Punishment in the First World War” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2019

Project Director, Script Writer, Film Director, Film Crew

Theatre Reviewer

with Broadway Baby, since May 2018. Including the Brighton Festival and Brighton Fringe Festival 2018 and Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018. For information and her latest reviews click here.

 

“The Christmas Wine List”

5-10 minute play, submission for Cast Iron Selection Box 2017, winner

A playlet for two actors with a Christmas theme, written with these instructions: “They should be gender blind and age blind, so any actor can perform them.” The evening was billed as a “hilarious and suitably jolly celebration of new writing, comedy, and cold reading. Selection Box sees performers take to the stage to present Christmas-themed new short plays. But there’s a catch! The performers haven’t read or rehearsed their scripts before. Instead, they’ll pick a gift-wrapped script from our selection box and unwrap them live on stage, performing them right there and then.”

Performed 18 December 2017 at Sweet Dukebox Theatre, Waterloo Street, Hove

Click here to read: The Christmas Wine List

 

“Safe”

short story submission for Cast Iron Theatre’s “Dukeanory: Ugly Tales for Beautiful Souls”, 2017 – winner

A horror / spooky story, written with the following brief: to be inspired by the portmanteau Amicus stories of the seventies. The story should be around 1,500 words and “will have a linking theme – UGLY STORIES FOR BEAUTIFUL SOULS: make of that what you will! Bear in mind that your story should probably be first person narrative (although the events don’t have to have happened directly to the person telling the story), and that the Amicus films we’re taking inspiration from were a) largely made in the 70s and b) often influenced by folklore dating between 1870s and 1930s.”

Click here to read: Safe

 

“Waiting for Curry”

Kings Head Theatre, January 2019, Produced by Twilight Theatre

Brighton Fringe Festival, May 2018, Produced by Twilight Theatre

Hove Grown Festival, April 2017, Produced by Twilight Theatre and CAM Productions

Ever wanted to tell someone how you really feel?  One evening, two couples, and a lot of history. Wine flows as they wait for their takeaway: they share more than intended… an evening that changes them and their friendships forever.

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page, and on Twilight Theatre UK: click here for more info

Feedback:

Fringe Review: Highly Recommended Show  “We’re exposed to Chris’s anxieties first, Crosby herself superbly conveying an insecure, prickly not entirely sympathetic character.”

James Roy on Meridian FM’s review 5 stars Review 

“Wicked show!”
“When are you writing the sequel?”
“A brilliant production”
“a thoroughly enjoyable show – top notch script and actors”

“The Session”

Hove Grown Festival, March / April 2018, Produced by Twilight Theatre

Feedback:

James Roy at Meridian FM – 4 stars

“Well done … for a fabulous performance and Suse Crosby for another brilliant play”    “It gets the old grey matter thinking. One not to miss. Written by the amazing Suse Crosby.”     “Excellent twist, didn’t guess the ending… all cast very good.”     “Loved it, very tense. Loved the twist. Wonderful writing.”    “Loved it”     “Cleverly written, brilliantly performed”      “What an amazing fantastic performance! A brilliantly written script and a very very talented cast”     “It was fantastic. Gripping, funny, poignant.”     “Really enjoyed the twist”     “Brilliantly written”    

“The Box”

short story submission for Cast Iron Theatre’s “Dukeanory: The Box”, 2016 – winner

A horror / spooky story, written with the following brief: to be inspired by the portmanteau Amicus stories of the seventies. The story should be around 1,500 words with the title of “The Box”. Take anything out of it, put anything into it, but don’t destroy it (as others are writing using the same title). “Bear in mind that your story should probably be first person narrative (although the events don’t have to have happened directly to the person telling the story), and that the Amicus films we’re taking inspiration from were a) largely made in the 70s and b) often influenced by folklore dating between 1870s and 1930s.”

Click here to read: The Box

“The Day Sussex Died” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2016

From a research project with St Catherine’s College in Eastbourne about the Battle of Boar’s Head 30 June 1916, a diversionary tactic the day before the Battle of the Somme commenced.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

Compiler, writer and editor of the booklet, click here to read

“Twelve & Sixpence: Life on the Home front during the First World War” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2016

From a research project with Manor Primary School in Uckfield about people on the Home Front.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew, Voice Over

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

Compiler, writer and editor of the booklet, click here to read

“Margaret Damer Dawson and the Women’s Police Service” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2016

From a research project with St Pauls School in Brighton about Margaret Damer Dawson and the start of the Women’s Police Service in 1914.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew, Voice Over

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

Compiler, writer and editor of the booklet, click here to read

“The Fastest Girl on Earth” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2015

From a research project with Helenswood Academy in St Leonards-on-Sea about Dorothy Levitt: the first female racing driver.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew, Cameo, Voice Over

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

“Recreation”

A murder mystery novel

Recreation

be careful where curiosity leads you…

Jo Bruford has started a new M.A., a new therapist job and a new single life in Brighton. After she is consulted by the Police on the recent murder of Sarah Stoner, Jo begins to investigate what happened, which slowly leads to obsession. Jo starts to recreate the life of this woman: meeting her friends, lovers and ex-lovers; and eerily, people keep telling Jo that she reminds them of Sarah… until gradually Jo’s own life is a mirror of Sarah’s before she died, drawing the murderer closer and closer to her.

It’s 1994. People played cassette tapes, nobody had a mobile phone. Telephones had cords that you fiddled with when you talked. Pubs and clubs were filled with smoke. Brighton was a town: a bustling bright, energised yet laid back town, filled with huge diverse communities. It was known as the Gay Capital of the UK, although it didn’t feel like that to the Lesbian and Gay Community that lived there. It felt fairly safe to be out late at night, as long as you hid who you were.

Looking back; this year is no longer passé: it’s vintage.

Available in paperback and Kindle.

Note – this is published as Susanne Sannerstedt as that was her name when she originally wrote it.

Feedback:

“Thank you thank you thank you for reigniting my love of reading… Wow, brilliant, thoroughly enjoyed it… really well written. Truly amazing”

More feedback on the Amazon website

“There is Something Wrong With Your Child”

published as part of “Paperweights” anthology through Scope, 2015, sold in Waterstones

This is a very personal piece of writing about me and my daughter. It has been picked up by different websites across the world including Scope (UK) and Rett UK and has been read more than 50,000 times.

Read it here: There is something wrong with your child – Paperweights Piece December 2014

Feedback:

“very much written from the depths of your soul. Thanks for being so brace to expose your pain and perspective over the years about your life with Mia. That’s an amazingly positive conclusion. That’s how I try to be with my battles, you have definitely given me a boost!”

“Animals in the First World War” Educational Film

Life Wisdoms, 2015

From a research project with St Thomas C of E Primary School in Groombridge about Animals in the First World War.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

Compiler, writer and editor of the booklet, click here to read

“The Right to Refuse” Educational Film

Sound Architect Creative Media, 2014

From a research project with Newlands School in Seaford about Conscientious Objectors in the First World War.

Script Writer, Director, Film Crew

Click here to watch the film on YouTube

Compiler, writer and editor of the booklet, click here to read

“The Spark”

performed by CAM Productions as part of Eastbourne Festival, April 2013

Nicki’s present to her recuperating boyfriend sparks a train of events which nobody could have foreseen…

Mark is recovering from an injury in his girlfriend’s home, and is bored. Sweet and kind Nicki buys him a present: a pen, to inspire him to start writing again. And as he does, she starts experiencing strange happenings, and both of their lives start unravelling… is Mark disappearing into his world of fiction and his vicious main character, or is Nicki losing her mind?

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page, and on Twilight Theatre UK:  click here for more info

“Emily”

a one person show in the making at the ‘Scratch Night’ at The Rock Inn, Brighton, December 2012

“Cadmium Eternal”

by Morgan K Fivehands, vampire romance novel 2012: editor.

With this book the author became one of the top ten authors of vampire fiction. Sadly it is no longer available on Kindle.

Theatre Reviewer

with The Argus Newspaper, Brighton, 2011 – 12

“Pearl”

performed by the Southwick Players, at the Barn, Southwick 2012

Richard and Liz are celebrating their 30th – Pearl – Wedding anniversary, looking at snapshots which bring their memories to life for everyone. But this year, Liz finds a long forgotten photo and remembers something they have not shared before… what is it that she does not want to remember? What will happen after this revelation? Will they overcome this, or will it destroy them?

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page, and on Twilight Theatre UK:  click here for more info

“Kiss of Doubt”

performed by CAM Productions in Hailsham Pavilion, Hailsham 2011

Is the past ever really the past? How easy is it to re-kindle a relationship from the past – even if you are happily married? How far would you go to keep adultery a secret?

Three couples, all friends from school, and still friends 20 years later. But there are secrets, and Jane walks in on her husband Mike, with Lucy, who is married to Peter. Or does she? As the other friends rally round to help Mike and Jane, secrets start to be revealed which have laid buried since they were at school. How much have they all changed since they were at school, and at what price? Did Jane really see Mike with Lucy, or what did she see?

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page, and on Twilight Theatre UK:  click here for more info

“Magpies”

national award winning play for the Royal Project, performed in 2010 by the Royal Project in Eastbourne

“The Spark That Lights the Fire”

performed by CAM Productions in Brighton 2004, part of “Fire & Ice” Production

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page.

“Midnight Rain”

performed by CAM Productions in Brighton 2003

Terry brought his daughter Jennifer up the best way he knew: by protecting her. Then she meets Nick, who shows her a different world… Suddenly she can be whatever she wants to be. But as she changes, everyone else has to change – or face the consequences.

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page, and on Twilight Theatre UK:  click here for more info

“One of Them”

performed by CAM Productions 2002, commissioned for the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in Eastbourne

We all make assumptions about people when we first meet them. How many times are we right? Set in a Hotel lobby in Eastbourne, “One of Them” introduces Emma: the Receptionist who has views on all who enter the Hotel. She, like us, forms impressions of all the people she encounters: with funny and unexpected consequences. “One of Them” is a sometimes funny, sometimes poignant look at what happens when people assume too much.

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page

 

“Lemonade”

additional scenes and editor, performed by CAM Productions in Brighton 2000

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page

 

“Dick Whittington Meets Puss in Boots Panto”

Produced by Trace & Croserstedt Productions, performed in Lewes, 2000

What if Dick Whittington was a bit stupid? What if the cat was a gambler indebted to the Mayor of London’s aide, so tried to stop Dick from fulfilling his destiny to save himself? What if Puss in Boots wants to become a real woman and is helped by a magical fairy in her quest if she helps to save Dick? Add to this mix Hannibal the hunter, determined to catch Puss, a Policeman who likes pink fluffy handcuffs, and a couple of pirates just looking for a way off their boat… an adult panto, some silliness, ridiculousness, and a lot of carry on.

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page

Note – written under the name Sannerstedt as that was her name at the time.

 

“The Meridian Murder Mystery”

performed by Croserstedt and Meridian Productions, in Lewes, 1999

Further information and show photos in the “Acting, Directing, Singing and More” tab at the top of the page

Note – written under the name Sannerstedt as that was her name at the time.

 

Murder Mystery Dinner Parties

Variety of murder mystery dinner parties written during the 1990’s. Eighties Murder Mystery, Egyptian Murder Mystery, Travelling Murder Mystery and the Grand Murder Mystery are examples.

Note – written under the name Sannerstedt as that was her name at the time.

 

“Sewing Victorian”

poem, published by Poetry Wales,  winner poetry competition 1983.

Note – written under the name Sannerstedt as that was her name at the time.