about me
Photography by James Grant
Elijah Young (he/him) is a published playwright, screenwriter and actor based in the North East, originally from Teesside.
As a playwright, Elijah has worked with many theatres/companies in the region. Between 2020 and 2023, Elijah was an Associate Artist at Live Theatre.
Elijah began to transition into screenwriting after being a part of the cohort of BBC Writersroom North East Voices 2021. He’s currently writing on his own sitcom through a development deal with the BBC.
As an actor, Elijah was most recently seen as Stewart in award- winning and BAFTA nominated BBC comedy Smoggie Queens.
Watch Smoggie Queens now on BBC iPlayer
Alongside writing and acting, Elijah is a co-director of community arts company Mustard Stories Arts CIC.
Photography by Rachel Deakin
As a writer, I am naturally drawn to comedy specifically queer and working class stories and finding the funny in something is always how I start my process.
My experience is, however, not limited to comedy. The work I’ve done as a dramaturg (such as in the R&D phases for Subterranea, Worlds Apart and Father Unknown) has often been outside the world of comedy and collaborating alongside others writers/creatives is my favourite kind of room to be in.
I am well versed in co-creation, most recently with A Seat at The Table (working with community hubs in County Durham) and Am I alone in this? (working with Northern Stage’s young company). Co-creation can lead to such rich work, blending truth with creativity and bringing so many different perspectives together.
My work with young people has also extended to playwriting workshops through New Writing North and Curious Arts. I am very passionate helping budding writers unlock their talent for writing and find the story they want to tell.
my practice
Photography by Andy Martin
Shortlisted for BBC Comedy Collective, 2025
Writer of the Year Nominee, Journal Culture Awards, 2024
Longlist for Orange Tree Writers Collective, 2023
Pint-sized plays longlist with Fag Break, 2020
Young Writer Residency, Takeover Festival, 2019
Most Promising Newcomer, British Theatre Guide, 2019
awards & shortlists
A Seat at The Table (2024) Radio play/staged reading, directed by Jonluke McKie
Snow White & The Curse of the Poisoned Sausage Roll (2024) We Make Culture - community pantomime, directed by Abigail Lawson
Subterranea (2024) Dramaturgical support, directed by Paula Penman and written by Peachplant Productions
Alfie’s Story (2024) Creative Youth Opportunities - ASB short film, directed by Elijah Young and Carl Joyce
BYKER writersroom (2024) Fulwell 73
Our Karen: Rainy Days and Mondays (2023) R&D at Stockon Arc, directed by Jonluke McKie
Goldilocks & The Three Bears (2023) We Make Culture - community pantomime, directed by Abigail Lawson
The Cold Buffet (2023) Live Theatre, directed by Jack McNamara
The Gay Side (2023) Alphabetti Theatre - 10th Anniversary, directed by Rachel Stockdale
Father Unknown (2023) Northern Stage/Durham Gala, directed by Jonah York
Am I alone in this? (2023) Northern Stage - Young Company, directed by Lindsay Nicholson
Worlds Apart (2023) Northern Stage, directed by Poppy Crawshaw
SARNIES (2023-Present) Candle & Bell/BBC development deal
Playing Out (2022) Customs House, South Shields, directed by Abigail Lawson
Remarkable Robin’s Christmas Adventure (2021/2022) Queens Hall/Alnwick Playhouse, directed by Mark Calvert
Contactless (2021) Radio play for Alphabetti Theatre, directed by Paula Penman
Bloomin’ Marvelous (2020) Radio play, performed by Jude Nelson
Biscuit Tins (2020/2021) Blowin’ A Hooley - Yarns From Yem tour, directed by Tracey Gillman
Golden Daffodils (2020) Live Theatre - Queer & Now, directed by Cameron John Sharp
The Meat Aisle (2019) R&D at Live Theatre
NASA lie the earth is flat no curve (2019) Alphabetti Theatre, directed by Karen Traynor
Isolation (2019) Customs House, South Shields/Alphabetti Theatre, directed by Jake Smith
Fag Break (2018) Live Theatre - 10minutes to shine a light, directed by Cameron John Sharp