My Story
My journey so far…
Our Story
Mission
Values
Our Story
Who am I?
My name is Rhys Clarke. I graduated from the University of Warwick in 2020 with a BA in English and Theatre Studies. In 2022, I received a PGCE in English and Drama from the University of Sussex. I have written and edited for a wide range of online and printed publications, and have crafted a series of short stories, poems, plays and novels.
Mission
I am driven by a desire to create original, thought-provoking and challenging stories. My work often explores unusual characters trapped and oppressed by a brutal and hostile world, forcing both my readers and audiences to explore the question: what truly matters to a human being?
When a person is stripped of everything that makes them civilised, that makes them human, what is left? And how is it possible to create meaning in a world that, so often, appears cruel and meaningless?
I also enjoy poking fun and highlighting the comic absurdities and trends of modern society, inviting people to find amusement in the contemporary circus of politics, the media, and everyday life. More than humour, I want to humanise characters that, traditionally, have been either excluded from the spotlight, or simply watered-down and caricatured to appease the sensibilities of so-called popular taste.
If you’re interested in writing that pushes you to the limits (and sometimes beyond) of your comfort zone, then you’ve arrived at the right place.
Values
Journalism
In 2020, I graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA in English and Theatre Studies. Whilst studying at Warwick, I became a regular contributor to the student newspaper, The Boar, and was responsible for producing articles on a wide range of topics, including: literary reviews, politics, culture, media analysis, satire, and creative writing.
This invaluable experience also enabled me to successfully apply for the position of News Editor for The Warwick Tab, our university’s branch of the youth news and entertainment site: The Tab. Whilst working as the News Editor, I was responsible for not only producing regular news content for the online publication, covering topics such as Extinction Rebellion activism, the Hong Kong protests, and local breaking news stories, but also for leading a team of student journalists in writing, editing and publishing content for the website. In order to gain more experience in the field of journalism, I began pitching opinion pieces covering both national and international politics to Naked Politics and The Youth Journal, as well as writing articles on poetry and theatre for The Indiependent.
During my final year of study, I also became the Deputy Editor for the Uncanny literary magazine, which involved regular collaboration with the rest of the editorial team in order to edit and provide feedback on articles that were submitted by our fellow students.
Journalism
In 2020, I graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA in English and Theatre Studies. Whilst studying at Warwick, I became a regular contributor to the student newspaper, The Boar, and was responsible for producing articles on a wide range of topics, including: literary reviews, politics, culture, media analysis, satire, and creative writing.
This invaluable experience also enabled me to successfully apply for the position of News Editor for The Warwick Tab, our university’s branch of the youth news and entertainment site: The Tab. Whilst working as the News Editor, I was responsible for not only producing regular news content for the online publication, covering topics such as Extinction Rebellion activism, the Hong Kong protests, and local breaking news stories, but also for leading a team of student journalists in writing, editing and publishing content for the website. In order to gain more experience in the field of journalism, I began pitching opinion pieces covering both national and international politics to Naked Politics and The Youth Journal, as well as writing articles on poetry and theatre for The Indiependent.
During my final year of study, I also became the Deputy Editor for the Uncanny literary magazine, which involved regular collaboration with the rest of the editorial team in order to edit and provide feedback on articles that were submitted by our fellow students.
Short Films
My passion for the fields of film and theatre motivated me to join Warwick University’s BFT Filmmaking Society, and the Freshblood New Writing Society. My collaboration with the students participating in these societies helped me gain the necessary experience in writing for the stage and the screen, pushing me to experiment with creating bold and provocative short films and playscripts.
Whilst studying at Warwick University, I enjoyed experimenting with creating short films, and was heavily inspired by the content I explored as part of my Screenwriting module. In 2019, I participated in BFT’s filmmaking competition BFTen 2019, writing, acting and directing the short film: Dumb Show, a parody of silent films.
In 2020, I collaborated on an absurdist dark-comedy film: Rhys Dies At The End? Since then, I have written and am currently in the process of editing a short film: The Three Gentlemen.
In 2025, I collaborated with Sealight Films on two of their short films: Just Peachy and The P*ss Artist. I have also worked as an actor for their feature-length film: Believe.
Theatre
In 2019, towards the end of my period of study at Warwick, my dark-comedy absurdist play: Thompson and Sons was long-listed for the Questors Theatre’s Student Playwriting Competition. Following this, in 2020 my one-act dystopian play Revelation 18.8 was shortlisted for the Carnon Downs One-Act Playwriting competition.
Since leaving Warwick, I have collaborated on numerous productions with The Robinson Academy of Drama, writing and assisting on the production of plays for mixed-age groups. In 2022, the school performed my original comedy play: Bear-Faced Lies, as part of their summer festival. In 2024, my two-act comedy-drama play: Luck Of The Draw was performed at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne.
In 2025, my political satire: Democracy was long-listed for Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award. The opening scene of Democracy has also been performed in front of a live audience, as part of CarCrashProduction’s Pending Scratch Night, and received much praise from the director and actors involved.
More recently, I have directed, acted in and co-produced a performance of Revelation 18.8 at the EODS Centre, in collaboration with Sealight Films, who filmed the opening night in front of a live audience. Currently, I am working on staging my original comedy-drama: The Last King Of England, which has recently undergone a table read at Stables Theatre.
Theatre
In 2019, towards the end of my period of study at Warwick, my dark-comedy absurdist play: Thompson and Sons was long-listed for the Questors Theatre’s Student Playwriting Competition. Following this, in 2020 my one-act dystopian play Revelation 18.8 was shortlisted for the Carnon Downs One-Act Playwriting competition.
Since leaving Warwick, I have collaborated on numerous productions with The Robinson Academy of Drama, writing and assisting on the production of plays for mixed-age groups. In 2022, the school performed my original comedy play: Bear-Faced Lies, as part of their summer festival. In 2024, my two-act comedy-drama play: Luck Of The Draw was performed at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne.
In 2025, my political satire: Democracy was long-listed for Theatre503’s International Playwriting Award. The opening scene of Democracy has also been performed in front of a live audience, as part of CarCrashProduction’s Pending Scratch Night, and received much praise from the director and actors involved.
More recently, I have directed, acted in and co-produced a performance of Revelation 18.8 at the EODS Centre, in collaboration with Sealight Films, who filmed the opening night in front of a live audience. Currently, I am working on staging my original comedy-drama: The Last King Of England, which has recently undergone a table read at Stables Theatre.
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Collaborated Magazines
Poetry
Whilst working as a contributor for the student newspaper, The Boar, I produced original poems for the publication’s creative writing section. This fascination with poetry has continued since graduating from Warwick.
I frequently perform my poems at open mic nights.
Novels
I have long-since been an avid reader of novels, especially science-fiction, fantasy, and satire. My passion for reading has only been strengthened whilst producing book reviews for The Boar whilst studying at Warwick. Since graduating, I have continued to explore a wide range of literature, producing book reviews for The Indiependent and The Skank Institute.
This has motivated me to write my own novels, primarily focused on the genres of political satire and dark fantasy. Whilst writing for Mouthing Off Magazine, I contributed a six-part fantasy novella titled: The Lost Prince. More recently, I have crafted a satirical novel titled: Campaigning For The Apocalypse, which was heavily inspired by research I undertook during the first term of President Trump and the subsequent election of President Biden.
Novels
I have long-since been an avid reader of novels, especially science-fiction, fantasy, and satire. My passion for reading has only been strengthened whilst producing book reviews for The Boar whilst studying at Warwick. Since graduating, I have continued to explore a wide range of literature, producing book reviews for The Indiependent and The Skank Institute.
This has motivated me to write my own novels, primarily focused on the genres of political satire and dark fantasy. Whilst writing for Mouthing Off Magazine, I contributed a six-part fantasy novella titled: The Lost Prince. More recently, I have crafted a satirical novel titled: Campaigning For The Apocalypse, which was heavily inspired by research I undertook during the first term of President Trump and the subsequent election of President Biden.
Short Stories
Whilst studying at the University of Warwick, I pitched and produced short stories for the student newspaper, The Boar. After graduating from Warwick, my short story: The Dream was accepted by the Platform New Writing Podcast. From 2020-2021, I successfully pitched multiple short stories to the online magazine: Mouthing Off, including works of fantasy, science-fiction, dystopia, political satire and dark comedy.
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