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One Act Plays

Plays ranging from twenty to sixty minutes in length that can be performed without an interval. Put two or three together for an evening's entertainment.

One Act

Pantomime

Jack and the Beanstalk

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Cast: 3 (with doubling)

One Act

Pantomime

Cinderella

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Cast: 9 without doubling (doubling possible, plus added guards, courtiers as required.)

One Act

Drama

Permanent Pasts

A group of people get stranded due to flooding - a seemingly random gathering – but their pasts bind them together.

Parts for actors aged 18 - 70

One Act

Comedy

Sherlock Holmes and the Search for Silver Blaze

A sparkling, witty radio adaptation of an original Sherlock Holmes mystery.

3 to 5 men, 3 to 5 women

One Act

Drama

The Princess and the Frog

A selfish princess learns important life lessons from a frog

15 to 21 young people, 11 to 16 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Mrs Hudson and the Disappearing Trombonist

A Holmes and Hudson Mystery. Trombonists don't just disappear, do they?

1 to 3 men, 3 to 4 women

One Act

Drama

Maybe This Time

Can love survive, against a backdrop of age old conflict and distrust?

Approx 20 young people 14 – 18 years old and additional non speaking roles - although gender is stated in the casting description it can be adapted as required

One Act

Comedy

Mrs Hudson and the Banker's Hat

A Holmes and Hudson Mystery. Foul Murder on the Railway! Holmes investigates, but Mrs Hudson gets the answer.

3 women, 3 to 4 men.

One Act

Drama

Granny and the Wolf

In this modern re-imagining of Red Riding Hood, just who is the wolf and who is in danger?

Written to be performed by adults of various ages.

One Act

Drama

The Dark Fairy

The tale of Sleeping Beauty as it’s never been seen before

Approx 19 young people 11 – 16 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Setting Off

Is it a good idea to go on a cruise with your neighbours?

2F, 2M (all aged 30+)

One Act

Drama

The Returning

A spooky, one-act radio mystery set at Halloween.

2 to 3 men, 3 to 4 women.

One Act

Comedy

After Esme

A comedy about female friendship, loss, and refusing to become invisible.

6 women (4 main roles; 2 smaller) (5 women aged 50-65; 1 woman 18-25)

One Act

Comedy

Sing the Bells

How hard can it be to choose four Christmas songs?

6 females from early to mid 20’s to 60’s

One Act

Drama

Women in the Middle

I need a break before I break

4 females from early to mid 20’s to 60’s

One Act

Drama

The Herring Lasses

This play is about family, secrets, ambitions and sacrifice – it is also about the sea and the way it gives to and takes from anyone whose life revolves around it…

Maire can be played as a chorus of women so there is no maximum number of female actors .

One Act

Drama

In the Hands of the Gods

A symposium of Greek Gods muse on the human condition

Approx 25 – 35 young people 12 – 16 years old

One Act

Drama

Tom Kitten's Big Adventure

Adapted from Beatrix Potter's Tale of Samuel Whiskers

9 young people aged 7 to 11, gender unspecified.

One Act

Drama

Snow Day

A group of teenagers get locked in the school drama studio during rehearsals for their panto

21 young people, aged 12 to 16 years . Although gender is stated in the casting description it can be adapted as required.

One Act

Pantomime

Dick Whittington and his Smartie Cat

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Cast: 12 without doubling. (No maximum.)

One Act

Drama

Merlin and Morgana

An insight into the legend of King Arthur from Merlin and Morgana’s perspective

25 – 35 young people aged 12 – 16 years – although gender is stated in the casting description it can be adapted as required

One Act

Drama

The Revenge of Eris

The story of the Trojan War

Approx 20 – 30 young people 14 – 19 years old

One Act

Drama

The Snow Queen

Two friends are torn apart as a result of an unexpected turn of events – can the power of friendship reunite them?

Approx 20 – 35 young people 12 – 17 years old - although gender is stated in the casting description it can be adapted as required

One Act

Drama

The Child Who Melted the Snow Queen’s Heart

Can a child inspire a cruel witch to change her ways?

10 to 20 children aged 7 to 11 years old - gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Playing Gooseberry

A tale of love, friendship, obsession and gardening.

2 female approx. ages 45, 2 male approx. ages 45, 1 extra (preferably male, any age)

One Act

Comedy

Seeing Stars

After losing her father, Skye attempts to bridge the gap with her distant, list-making mother by trading spreadsheets for sleeping bags on a star-gazing trip that might be their last chance at a bond.

2 women (mother & daughter)

One Act

Comedy

Love and Freindship

Jane Austen's Love and Freindship adapted for the stage

2M and 3F with doubling.

One Act

Drama

The Brave Tin Soldier

The Steadfast Tin Soldier was Andersen’s first original fairy story, and it sets the trend for what was to follow. It contains many of his trademark features, most notably the tragic central character and the doomed love between the soldier and the ballerina.

Flexible cast, minimum 8 actors

One Act

Drama

50-50

Will Danni and Jo’s relationship survive? It's 50/50. Winner at Ilkley Playhouse 8x8x8, Theatre Off the Square New Works and Renewal Festival.

2 women

One Act

Drama

Little Red Riding Hood

A little girl gets turned around, in a number of ways, as she delivers supplies to Grandma’s house

Approx 12 to 20 young people, 14 to 18 years old, gender unspecified.

One Act

Comedy

Date (K)Nights

Sex for the Over 60's

5F (Over 50)

One Act

Drama

Hansel and Gretel

Two teams of narrators compete to tell the tale of Hansel and Gretel the way they think it should be done

Approx 20 to 30 young people, 11 to 16 years old, gender unspecified

One Act

Pantomime

Beauty and the Beast

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Cast: 9 without doubling.

One Act

Drama

No Job For a Woman

A celebration of women's rights

2 young women, 1 older woman and 2 men playing multiple parts.

One Act

Drama

Shared Air

Loneliness is an unwise adviser

1 woman early 40’s, 2 men in their 40’s

One Act

Drama

Brin and his Everyday Heroes

What happens in the park…might just make the world of difference

24 young people 14 – 18 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

The Holmes and Hudson Mysteries

Three, 30 minute, radio versions of the Holmes and Hudson Mysteries.

3 to 4 men, 4 to 5 women

One Act

Comedy

Finding Christmas

Is this what it feels like to be old?

Approx 15 young people 14 – 19 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

A Christmas Carol (Condensed)

Adapted for youth theatre from Charles Dickens short story.

Minimum 12 (with doubling)

One Act

Pantomime

Snow White and the Lazy Pixie

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Cast: 9 without doubling.

One Act

Drama

The Tails of Three Kitties

Adapted for the stage from the works of Beatrix Potter

3M, 6F with doubling. Up to 22 without doubling. Ages 8 - 16.

One Act

Drama

The Worn Out Shoes

All is not going well for the King – he decides to take drastic action to curb his many daughters’ spending habits.

Approx 25 to 30 young people, 14 to 16 years old.

One Act

Comedy

The Best Medicine

A comedy about female friendship, which proves that laughter really is the ‘best medicine’.

4 women age ranges 40s - 70s

Full Length

Comedy

Sherlock and the Trained Cormorant

Based on an idea by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A hat-swapping romp through Victorian London.

A gender-neutral, age-neutral cast of 8 to 11 players

One Act

Drama

One Foggy Christmas Eve

As Santa prepares to deliver the presents the weather is not on his side…is there an unlikely hero who might be able to save the day?

6 to 30 children 6 to11 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Mrs Hudson and the Twisted Pilchard

A Holmes and Hudson Mystery. An exciting tale of international spies, blackmail and a woman's desire to protect her husband.

4 to 5 women, 3 to 4 men.

One Act

Drama

When Robins Appear

Loved ones are near…

Approx 10 young people 14 – 19 years old – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Death the Halls

It is 1978 and the Hargreaves family are having their annual Christmas Party, this year however things are not going to go to plan. A murder mystery comedy.

15 parts in total aged between teens – 70’s. A number of the parts can be played by any gender

One Act

Drama

Pinnochio

Geppetto wishes for a real child to love and care for – might his wish come true?

Approx 20 to 30 young people aged 11 to 16 years – gender unspecified

One Act

Comedy

Close to the Edge

When you're on the edge of a cliff, it helps to know who you're up there with.

2 men (one 30 to 50, 1 any age), 3 women (All 30 to 60)

One Act

Drama

Alice in the Mirror

Alice is intrigued by the topsy turvy world in the mirror.

Minimum 14, no maximum. Mixed adult/youth performers, or youth performers.

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