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. But I also believe in art as a force for good in the world, with social justice, empathy and community at the core of 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
Technical Difficulties
An anarchic farce where a calamitous school musical turns into a kooky whodunnit, with sabotage at play and everyone under suspicion.
Produced by British Youth Music Theatre in 2026 with a cast of 35 young people; co-written with Sam Macdonald.
"Magical... a well-oiled Rube Goldberg machine... my ghasts are truly flabbered - ★★★★★" Northern Arts Review
"Excellent - ★★★★★" Fairy Powered Productions
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
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, then went on a tour of schools around the Midlands. Co-written with 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
Awards & Reviews
For On Your Bike (2021)
WINNER
Best Musical
"A stunning achievement...
raucously witty to its core"
"Succeeds in highlighting some serious social issues...
the strength is in James and Venable's writing which is thoroughly engaging"
at
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.
THE BIT
A love song, from the musical On Your Bike, music by Ben James, book & lyrics by Joe Venable. Performed by Emilia Grace and Dominic Carrington.
MR TICKLE: A TWO-MINUTE MUSICAL
Two minutes of pure tickle fun - from my Tiktok (click here for more)
For more see My Work
ON YOUR BIKE CAST RECORDING
You can listen to the cast recording of On Your Bike with the player above, or on Spotify here.
Articles
My words from around the web
On the value of satire today
for Chortle
for Varsity
from my Substack
Photo credits: Lucy Korzeniowska
JOE VENABLE
CONTACT
jc@venable.org.uk