Award-winning writer and lyricist for musical theatre

Joe Venable

About Me

I'm a lyricist, book-writer and theatre producer, originally from Southampton but now living in Walthamstow, London.

I try to write playful but emotionally incisive lyrics, with the goal of making people believe they may in fact enjoy going to the theatre. Social justice is a recurring strand in my work, with themes of labour, greed and empathy seeping into everything I write.

Previous Shows

For more, visit my Shows page.

Jingle Street

A jaded ad executive wakes up to find he can only speak in jingles. Music by Georgia Rawlins.

"A wonderfully funny masterpiece - ★★★★★"
Musical Talk

"Hilarious... a must-see"
The Stagey Place
NOMINATED for Best Musical at Edinburgh Fringe 2023

"Touching and nuanced... an incredibly creative musical - ★★★★★"
Theatre Weekly

On Your Bike

A four-hander musical about food delivery riders caught up in a rivalry between two chicken shops. Music by Ben James.

"A stunning achievement - raucously witty - ★★★★★" BingeFringe

"A riotous delight of a show - ★★★★★"
Musical Theatre Review
WINNER, Best Musical at Edinburgh Fringe 2021

"Finger-clicking good - ★★★★★"
Theatre Weekly

Rishi Sunak's Doing A Musical!

An election satire created in just six weeks ahead of the 2024 snap election. Co-written with Rob Gathercole.

"Gloriously silly - the writing is pin-sharp - ★★★★"
Daily Telegraph

"Top-tier satire... expertly written ★★★★"
All That Dazzles

"Absolutely hilarious... a total audience-pleaser ★★★★"
Theatre & Tonic

The Little Mermaid

A fresh musical spin on the classic fairy-tale aimed at 3 to 8-year-olds. It ran at Nottingham Playhouse in December 2025, and it's now on a tour of schools and libraries around the Midlands. Music by Rob Gathercole.

"Lively, toe-tapping, earworm-creating tunes... what a joy to see!" What's Good To Do

"Fresh, accessible and full of heart... splashtastic!"
Left Lion

"A toe tapping extravaganza... a must-see... fin-tastic!"
Broken Legs

No Flirting in the Bunker Please

Two teens fall in love in a nuclear bunker - until one gets pregnant and they face an impossible choice. A workshop performance at Hen & Chickens Theatre in December 2025. Music by Kat Kleve.

"This is no ordinary love story; expect rendezvous in the chest freezer, devastating losses and catchy songs - ★★★★"
Theatre and Tonic

"Touching and intimate... gave me genuine shivers down my spine ... whip-smart lyricism"
All That Dazzles

More Stuff

I post comic songs and other odds and ends on Tiktok here: tiktok.com/@joe.venable.

I write irregularly about politics and social issues on Substack: substack.com/upstartjoe.

You can listen to the "On Your Bike" cast recording on Spotify here.

Shows & Reviews

For more info, visit my Shows page.

Awards & Reviews

For On Your Bike (2021)

WINNER

Best Musical

Musical Theatre Review

"A stunning achievement...

raucously witty to its core"

Binge Fringe

"Succeeds in highlighting some serious social issues...

the strength is in James and Venable's writing which is thoroughly engaging"

Theatre Weekly

Edinburgh Fringe 2021

For Jingle Street (2023)

"Hilarious...

an incredibly creative musical"

Theatre Weekly

"A wonderfully funny

masterpiece"

Musical Talk

NOMINATED

Best New Musical

The Stagey Place, Fringe 2024

For Rishi Sunak's Doing A Musical (2024)

"Gloriously silly... the writing is pin-sharp."

Daily Telegraph

"Top-tier satire... expertly written."

All That Dazzles

"Absolutely hilarious... a total audience-pleaser."

Theatre & Tonic

Lyrics I've Written

FAST TRACK

Charlie wonders if now's the time for one last big heist. From the musical No Cash Left on the Premises Overnight, music by Ben James, book & lyrics by Joe Venable. Performed by Lara Cosmetatos, with Nicole Tilby and Charlotte Dargan.