My heart is beginning to break | @marlowetheatre | August 2026
A new play. Written by me. About goodbyes. About letting go. About those friends who you couldn't do any of this without. Those friends you yearn and hope to grow old with. This is for them. And for you. Xxx
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Phoebe’s life is about to implode. Her best friend has announced that they’re moving away and, quite frankly, it’s devastating. This isn’t like any other friendship. It’s special. And the heartbreak is brutal. But Phoebe doesn’t like to talk much about it. Instead, she likes to keep her headphones on, and block things out.
Amidst the angst and literal horror of slowly but surely becoming an adult, is it true that beginnings can sprout from painful endings? And is the rather daring impulse to feel real hope ever truly possible?
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Written by me
Directed by Masha Maroutitch (I mean, who else?)
Created with and performed by the Marlowe Youth Company (actual legends)
Set and Costume Design by Finlay Jenner
Movement Direction by Maria Koripas
Sound Design and Composition by Francesca Amewudah-Rivers
Lighting Design by Jack Hathaway
Assistant Direction by Nick Stephens
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💋 Sex and the Salmon 🐟
The weekly rumination about sex, love and relationships, from the heart and mind of Benjamin Salmon.
Subscribe for free on Substack via the link in my bio.
Kisses. Xxx ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
✨ Today marks the beginning of my thirties. Here are thirty-ish things that my twenty-something self will remind me, from time to time, as and when I need reminding ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨✨
✨ Night of a Thousand Benjamin Salmons ✨
The surprise 30th birthday party of all time.
With family - both biological and chosen.
And many others, deeply missed, in spirit with us too.
The endless bottles of rosé.
And Emily drinking her 8 pints.
In my beloved north London.
Primrose Hill.
Timeless.
The Year of Wonder just around the corner.
My heart is beyond full.
Everything is... Romantic.
B xxx
Ibiza. You were so good to us. I've known @evieforbes for most of my life. I love her so much - and Ibiza gave her everything it needed to for her iconic hen-do (even though our iconic group was probably more in keeping with a stag).
Shout out to @sophiahollis - I love being a maid of honour alongside you. I love raving in Ibiza with you. I love you!
Now please do yourself a favour and scroll through to the end, so you can see the king of Ibiza, Wayne Linekar, get more than he bargained for when he got his hands on little ol' me 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦
See you soon, Ibiza (and Wayne-y) 💋💋💋💋
🪐 To quote the words of another great icon who also has dark curly hair, "I went my own way and I made it, I'm your favourite reference baby, call me Gabriette, you're so inspired, ah-ah..." ✨
✨ I feel so thrilled to be represented by the fabulous @caffring at @thehaworthagency - and I'm excited to see what's to come next! 🪐 feel free to swipe and get a taste of my artistic vibe the last few weeks... Time to keep on keeping on! #ImEverywhereImSoBenjaminSalmon 🐟🐝💖💋🤠
Writing "Lear is Not Okay" for the Almeida Theatre Young Company was a major highlight of last year - and I only realised the other day that I never properly posted about it here. Social media is weird, but reflecting on this play reminds me what a thrill it was to write and devise a play with young people that was all about a certain kind of piercing ambition that can all too quickly give way to becoming a bit of a mean girl. It was delicious to write about jealousy and the weird things it does to us - and I'm still fascinated by that right now.
As well as a wicked company of actors and creatives, I'm so grateful I got to meet my beloved @germmaot - she's a wonderful director, a fantastic human being, and a brilliant friend.
✨
"Lear is Not Okay" | @almeida_theatre@atparticipate
Written by Benjamin Salmon
Directed by Germma Orleans-Thompson
Assistant Director: Deviniat Adedibu
Lighting Designer: Fraser Craig
Sound Designer: Kayode Gomez
Movement Director: Mateus Daniel
Photography by Lottie Amor
I really get the @arvon__ hype. This retreat meant the world to me. I thought I knew a good deal about the idea I'm currently working on right now. But I've come home knowing (and also happily not knowing) so much more.
I really felt like Elizabeth Bennet a lot of the time (à la the 1995 BBC miniseries adaptation, obvs). But I also felt like myself - which helps with both the writing thing and the life thing.
When I write, it feels like I'm leaving love letters to myself throughout different chapters of my life - even when I'm writing a story that's supposedly nothing to do with me. But still - I'm finding myself again and again in this script. Finding myself in the words I'm writing is confronting and sad and funny all at the same time - and that combination of emotions is *so* Benjamin Salmon. Even when something feels like uncharted territory, coming back to the nicheness of me is always going to be an important thing to do.
I miss my retreat tutors, as well as my fellow writers so much. I miss cooking in the kitchen (I unexpectedly became the alpha chef one of the nights and loved it - I felt unstoppable). I miss staying in a 16th century manor house (a tiny studio flat in north London doesn't quite hit the same). But, as always, it's time to keep moving forward. So... onwards. Xxx
🌟 I am so grateful to the Arts Council for awarding me a DYCP grant, in support of "Bringing Queer Writing into the Mainstream" ✨
For the last few months, I have been absolutely riddled with doubt that I'm not working hard enough; worry that there's a mysterious and better way I could be doing things; jealousy towards literally EVERYONE ELSE for doing ANYTHING; as well as good old fashioned insecurity about both my professional and personal life. Still just doing my best to work out all that stuff LOLZ!!! 😜
Therefore, the timing of this really lovely DYCP news has been a really wonderful thing. The time and space to WRITE that this grant will unlock is beyond amazing. I danced to Charli xcx for three hours when I found out the news. And I am still dancing to Charli xcx.
A huge thank you to @jessicarosenorman for your huge help and support with this application and entire process. You are brilliant, and I am very grateful for your friendship.
Onwards! Fingers crossed I feel less bitter as I get older 💖💖💖
✨ #365PartyGirl #365PartySalmon #salmonbrat #dycpbrat #wherearemybaftas #haveyouseenmybaftas #EGOT ✨
