Rachel Hirons's BBC3 Comedy Feed VODKA DIARIES premieres on iPlayer Sunday 20th July

VODKA DIARIES, a new comedy pilot created and written by Rachel Hirons, premieres on the BBC iPlayer on Sunday 20th July as part of BBC3’s Comedy Feeds strand.

VODKA DIARIES follows the escapades of four twenty-something women thrown together in a London house share.

The show stars Cariad Lloyd, Aisling Bea, Rosamund Hanson, Gwyneth Keyworth and Luke McQueen. It was directed by James de Frond and produced by Iona Sweeney for Feelgood Fiction’s executive producers Laurence Bowen and Philip Clarke.

You can view the episode here.

From the BBC:

Never mind the 'entitled' generation, these girls just want to have fun and ignore their responsibilities until absolutely necessary. If the recession has taught us anything, nothing lasts forever, so why keep trying?

Four very different women, four very different perceptions on life, brought together through the love of low rent and drinking ‘til dawn.

Follow Rachel on Twitter @MsRachelHirons

Rachel Hirons' POWDER ROOM in cinemas tomorrow

"A smart and savvy comedy delve into the notion of sisterhood set largely in the confines of a London nightclub and its women’s toilet, the pacy and enjoyably racy Powder Room is a low-budget delight, brimming with terrific performances (especially from lead Sheridan Smith) and scintillating dialogue." - Mark Adams, Screen Daily

Everyone's talking about Rachel Hirons' new feature, POWDER ROOM - starring Sheridan Smith (featured on Broadcast Magazine's Hot 100 list), Jaime Winstone, Oona Chaplin and Kate Nash.

The film is being hailed as 'the British BRIDESMAIDS', though it's not just a film about women: 

"The odd, rather terrific thing is that even though – or perhaps because – the film is all about women, it becomes much more about people than a film doing the more usual thing of looking at the relationships between the sexes could ever manage." - Deborah Orr, The Guardian

Directed by MJ Delaney, POWDER ROOM is set in the women's toilets of a nightclub, and concerns the increasingly complex exploits of Sam (Sheridan Smith), a somewhat 'uncool' young woman desperate to fit in and gain the respect of her peers. Inspired by unguarded conversations heard by writer Rachel Hirons in Soho nightclub loos, it's a frank and honest look at the personal crises faced by its young characters. There's a strong connection with music too, as the film features fictional all-female rock band 'Fake Club', and co-stars Kate Nash who is best known for her pop music career.

The movie's already critically acclaimed; to quote but a few:

"...a striking piece of work. It's very funny and very fresh..." - DigitalSpy

"...a riotous new Britflick... a candid — sometimes funny, sometimes sordid — take on a London night out, with all the sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll that implies." - Evening Standard

"One suspects that it would be more fun to go to the film with a crowd of friends, then talk about it, than it would be to go to the nightclub." - Deborah Orr, The Guardian

High praise indeed, and we think Deborah's right. See it in cinemas from tomorrow (6th December).

Follow @PowderRoomMovie on Twitter for more news and updates.

Vertigo will release Rachel Hiron’s POWDER ROOM on 29th November 2013

POWDER ROOM has been picked up for UK distribution by Vertigo Films, and will hit cinemas on 29th November. Written by Rachel Hirons, based on her stage play WHEN WOMEN WEE, the film is Rachel’s debut as a screenwriter. It stars Sheridan Smith, Jamie Winstone, Oona Chaplin and Kate Nash.

Producer Damian Jones has also sold world rights to Universal Pictures International Entertainment. He produced the film through his company DJ Films with money from the BFI producer equity scheme.

The comedy follows a group of girls on a raucous night out. The exploits in the club reveal various aspects of their struggles with life and love. It was directed by MJ Delaney and, in addition to Damian, was produced by James Cotton and Nichola Martin.

You can keep up to date with the movie by following the twitter @PowderRoomMovie or liking the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/PowderRoomMovie

Blake Friedmann Authors at the Edinburgh Festival!

The Edinburgh International Book Festival kicks off on 10th August, with many Blake Friedmann authors on the bill.

Deon Meyer will be in conversation with Gordon Ferris on the subject of crime fiction on Sunday 11 August - details here. See more about Deon Meyer here.

Peter James will be talking about his Roy Grace novels on Tuesday 13th August - details here. See more about Peter James here.

Achmat Dangor will be talking with Sindiwe Magona about 'Getting Over Apartheid' on Monday 19th August - details here.

Laurie Penny will be discussing her book DISCORDIA and the Greek Financial Crisis on Tuesday 20th August - details here.

South African author Henrietta Rose-Innes will appear with Sifiso Mzobe as part of the First Book Award Nominee series of events on Monday 26th August - details here. Henrietta will also be participating in one of the daily Imprisoned Writers events on Monday 19th August, run by Amnesty International at 17:30 in the Peppers Theatre. See more about Henrietta Rose-Innes here.

Meanwhile as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Eddie Argos' show ISLANDERS is on at Underbelly, Cowgate from 1st - 25th August (Details here), as is Rachel Hirons' show DIRTY LAUNDRY (details here). More information about Rachel Hirons here.

Carole Blake, Isobel Dixon and Juliet Pickering will also be attending the Book Festival.

The Edinburgh Festival is one of the largest arts events in the world and takes place for three weeks every August in Scotland's capital city. More information about the festival here.

WHEN WOMEN WEE In Production

Rachel Hirons's Edinburgh Fringe hit WHEN WOMEN WEE ("More hilarious than you could possibly imagine" -- What's on Stage) has been adapted into a film. The play had a successful revival at the Soho Theatre earlier this year, and the feature version begins shooting this week. Rachel wrote the film adaptation of the play. Damian Jones produces and MJ Delaney directs. The film stars Sheridan Smith, Jamie Winstone, Kate Nash, and Oona Chaplin as the eponymous women.