Shaun McKenna is an award-winning British dramatist and lyricist.   Prolific and versatile, he is known for both original dramas and adaptations.  

His credits range from theatre plays to prime-time TV, acclaimed West End and international musicals to documentaries, spectacular arena shows to classic radio dramas.  Born in Kent, he now lives in West London.

Interviews

Current and Forthcoming…

Cranford

The team behind The Forsyte Saga reunite with this entertaining adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell’s classic. Co-written with Lin Coghlan and directed by Josh Roche, this story of family, fear and female empowerment plays the Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond from November 3rd 2026 to January 16th 2027. It stars Tamsin Greig, Abigail Cruttenden, Alexandra Gilbraith and Sarah Morris as the Cranford Amazons.

Murder Before Evensong

With director Paul Hart, Shaun has adapted Reverend Richard Coles’ popular cosy crime novel for the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, where it runs until November 14th 2026 prior to a national tour next year.

Meet Frankie

Meet Frankie, Shaun’s original short film directed by Steven Kunis, stars Anthony Calf, Imogen Stubbs, David Michaels and Øystein Lode. It won Best UK Short Film (Genesis Award) at the London Independent Film Festival in April 2026, the Best Short Film at Chichester International Film Festival in August 2026 and is nominated for the Iris Prize Best British, announced in October, when it will be available to stream on Channel 4 and FimFour. It is currently on the international Film Festival Circuit.

The Archers

Since October 2024, Shaun has been delighted to be part of the regular writing team for the BBC’s iconic continuing drama.

The Looking Glass Wars

Shaun has just finished working with Pippa Cleary, Frank Beddor and Teresa Lin on the development of an exciting large scale musical based on this Alice in Wonderland origin story. More details to follow.

The Hawk Is Dead

Shaun’s next Roy Grace stage thriller, adapted from the novel by Peter James, will tour the UK in Spring 2028.

Everywhere We Go

The first concert version of this new revue-style show featuring the songs of McKenna and Kitchen was at Crazy Cows in September 2026, directed by Sam Lupton and with a cast including Colin Burnicle, Kim Criswell, Jodie Jacobs, Grace Galloway, Michael Praed and Stephen Lewis-Johnston

The Forsyte Saga

Shaun’s acclaimed stage adaptation, co-written with Lin Coghlan and directed by Josh Roche will be embarking on a UK tour in Spring 2028.

The two-part adaptation was presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Swan Theatre in Stratford upon Avon from November 28th 2025 until January 10th 2026, in association with Troupe Productions. It originally played for an acclaimed run at the Park Theatre, Finsbury Park and transferred with the original cast, led by Joseph Millson as Soames, Fiona Hampton as Irene and Flora Spencer Longhurst as Fleur.

The Lord of the Rings - A Musical Tale

World Tour

Paul Hart’s beautiful and intimate production of Shaun’s Tolkien-based musical, first seen at the Watermill Theatre in 2023, played the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre from July to September 2024. The international tour hit Auckland in November 2024 and Sydney from January 2025 with stops in Melbourne, Perth, the Gold Coast and Singapore in the spring and summer of 2025. Further touring announced soon.

Bette and Joan and Baby Jane

Shaun has co-written the Book with Tracy-Ann Oberman for this musical about the famously feuding film stars. Lyrics by Nikki Racklin, Music by James Cleeve. After a successful presentation in February 2024, the first production is expected in 2027.