kathryn golding
is a writer, performer and dramaturg of British and Chinese Malaysian heritage based in London
Kathryn's work looks at what it means to be from the British Isles. It's a hopeful and humorous look at the joy, rage and sadness of modern life; particularly around relationships, identity, and belonging
CURRENT: their radio play for BBC Radio 4, 'DRAGONS OF THE POOL' is a drama inspired by the true story of the Chinese seaman who were forcibly repatriated from Liverpool in 1945-46. Available on BBC iPlayer
Inaugural BEATS Fellow, Kathryn was on a year-long attachment with Graeae, a leading disabled-led theatre company and has been part of writers' groups at the Royal Court and Soho Theatre
Their first full-length play, A PERPETUAL STATE OF HAPPINESS, developed on attachment with Graeae, had a rehearsed reading in 2019 at the Bush Theatre. They have also written for Royal Court Theatre, Bush Theatre, English Touring Theatre Company, Paines Plough and Tamasha
Their TV pilot, BREEDERS was longlisted for the TriForce Creative Network’s WriterSlam. They are supported by the TV Foundation and worked on shorts for BBC Comedy
Kathryn is currently developing works for TV, Radio and Theatre and has performed on stage across London, including the Royal Court and The Rose Theatre, Kingston
‘Dragons of the Pool'
inspired by the true story of the Chinese seamen, forcibly repatriated from Liverpool in 1945-46, Dragons of the Pool is a fictional account based on the history of the "compulsory repatriation of undesirable Chinese seamen" following their service during World War 2, back to Hong Kong, and China which was on the brink of Civil War
set over the course of 50 years, the drama follows the journey of middle aged Leigh and long lost father, Haoyu, as he tries to make his way back to the child he was forced to leave behind in Liverpool
illustration by YanKi Darling
Night Of The Living Flatpacks
a feel-good new series about wheelchair using Stella, homeless Ali and anxious Erica, who unexpectedly come together when they get locked in at Sharewoods, a home furnishings store. During this memorable evening, they’ll make new friends, discover what independence means, find love and learn to challenge perceptions
episode 3 of a 5 part audio drama, with Naked Productions, airing on local radio stations nationwide
“One Day”, part of Project 2036
Census data suggests that by 2036 half of all young people in London will be of dual heritage. Project 2036 is a year-long programme for three Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee (BAMER) designers (Set, Lighting and Sound)
a short film written to support QianEr Jin’s vision for set design, we spend a day with Mei going through the circle of life; from the family gathering for her grandmother’s passing to the birth of her newest family member
Bush Theatre, online
‘DNA’
thanks to the never-ending lockdown, Qingming festival is cancelled. This year, Suzy plays chat roulette with her ancestors instead as Tomb-Sweeping Day moves online
a short play, Graeae Theatre Company, online
‘My Time’
sitting out lockdown by sorting through her cupboards, a woman finds old mixtapes and rekindles an old friendship
nominated for Audio Drama Awards 2021; Commendations for ‘The Year of Reinvention‘ category
an audio drama with Naked Productions, aired on local radio stations, nationwide, and BBC Radio 4
‘Parasite’, Crips Without Constraints
“deceptively destructive account … that looks right into the storm of this epidemic”~ Jack Thorne on PARASITE
after a run-in with strangers, Joe feels the full brunt of anti-Asian hate. Unable to stay with his girlfriend, Joe finds himself in lockdown, alone
a short film for Graeae Theatre Company, available on Graeae’s YouTube channel
‘The Woman of Tiananmen Square’
a man stands in front of a procession of tanks the middle of Tiananmen Square clutching a plastic bag. As the tank rolls to a stop, the man scales the tank …
drawing on the iconic picture of ‘Tank Man’, 'The Woman of Tiananmen Square is the imagined conversation between the driver and Tank Man
a short play, first developed with Graeae Theatre Company at Ovalhouse Theatre, in 2018, it was performed again with Papergang Theatre, at Clapham Omnibus
‘A Perpetual State of Happiness’
girl meets boy, in therapy, what could go wrong?
Jessi strikes up an unlikely friendship with Scott after he stumbles into her therapy group. As they ride the highs and lows of mental health, they test whether love really can cure all
a play, developed with Graeae Theatre Company and performed at Bush Theatre, January 2019