One Act

Plays

The production comes to life with simple physical theatre movements, optional dance sequences, puppetry, and mime. Production notes contain suggested rehearsal/movement development sequences, and puppetry construction.

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.

Drama

Flexible cast, minimum 8 actors

A Christmas Carol (Condensed)

Adapted for youth theatre from Charles Dickens short story.

Comedy

Minimum 12 (with doubling)

Story Telling drama – poignant and festive

When Robins Appear

Loved ones are near…

Drama

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

Women in the Middle

I need a break before I break

Drama

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

Set: An open stage. No furniture required.

Snow White and the Lazy Pixie

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Pantomime

Cast: 9 without doubling.

Dick Whittington and his Smartie Cat

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Pantomime

Cast: 12 without doubling. (No maximum.)

Set on an open stage. No furniture required.

Cinderella

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Pantomime

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

A fast moving, shape-shifting comedy. Requires a few chairs and some imagination.

Love and Freindship

Jane Austen's Love and Freindship adapted for the stage

Comedy

2M and 3F with doubling.

Shared Air

Loneliness is an unwise adviser

Drama

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

Reimagined version of a traditional tale with a dark and twisty flavour and moments of comedy

The Dark Fairy

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

Drama

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

Reimagined version of an iconic Greek Tragedy

The Revenge of Eris

The story of the Trojan War

Drama

Approx 20 – 30 young people 14 – 19 years old

Permanent Pasts

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

Drama

Parts for actors aged 18 - 70

Puss in Boots

A classic rags to riches tale of a poor Miller’s youngest son, and a talking cat. On the Miller’s death, how will Ed survive when his brothers scheme to take his inheritance?

Pantomime

10 young people without doubling. Additional ensemble cast if required. Min 6 (with doubling). Suitable for actors from ages 10 - 16.

Reimagined legend with a substantial helping of mystery, magic and drama

Merlin and Morgana

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

Drama

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

Close to the Edge

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

Comedy

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

A youth theatre adaptation of a classic tale.

Tom Kitten's Big Adventure

Adapted from Beatrix Potter's Tale of Samuel Whiskers

Drama

9 young people aged 7 to 11, gender unspecified.

Youth Theatre Festive Comedy. Fast paced “play within a play” comedy for young people – lots of ensemble opportunities and entertaining characters

Snow Day

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

Drama

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

Traditional tale – adventurous and charming with humorous moments

Pinnochio

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

Drama

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

Reimagined version of a traditional tale with plenty of comic twists

Hansel and Gretel

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

Drama

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

Christmas play – warm hearted and charming

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?

Drama

6 to 30 children 6 to11 years old – gender unspecified

Reimagined version of a traditional tale

The Princess and the Frog

A selfish princess learns important life lessons from a frog

Drama

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

A play which is designed to be performed as a staged radio play. It requires no set or costumes, except some microphones on stands, and can be performed script-in-hand. Sound effects can be pre-recorded or produced live on stage. Good parts for women.

The Returning

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

Drama

2 to 3 men, 3 to 4 women.

A play which is designed to be performed as a staged radio play. It requires no set or costumes, except some old-style microphones on stands, and can be performed script-in-hand. Sound effects can be pre-recorded or produced live on stage. Better parts for women than is usual in Sherlock Holmes.

Sherlock Holmes and the Search for Silver Blaze

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

Comedy

3 to 5 men, 3 to 5 women

A modern take on Sherlock Holmes with women as the central characters. Simple kitchen set. Good roles for women. Can be performed with the other Mrs Hudson Mysteries by Richard Moon for a complete evening's entertainment. Also available as a radio play.

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.

Comedy

3 women, 3 to 4 men.

Playing Gooseberry

A tale of love, friendship, obsession and gardening.

Comedy

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

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.

Comedy

4 to 5 women, 3 to 4 men.

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.

Comedy

2 women (mother & daughter)

Light hearted, comedic, festive play for young people

Finding Christmas

Is this what it feels like to be old?

Comedy

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

Festive and relatable - available as a 20 minute or 40 minute version

Sing the Bells

How hard can it be to choose four Christmas songs?

Comedy

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

Black box, or flexible at the director's discretion.

Alice in the Mirror

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

Drama

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

Beauty and the Beast

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Pantomime

Cast: 9 without doubling.

An open stage. Minimal furniture required.

Jack and the Beanstalk

A 20 minute potted pantomime in one scene

Pantomime

Cast: 3 (with doubling)

Date (K)Nights

Sex for the Over 60's

Comedy

5F (Over 50)

Setting Off

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

Comedy

2F, 2M (all aged 30+)

A modern-day adaptation of Robin Hood. Would lend itself to site specific – can be performed indoors

Brin and his Everyday Heroes

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

Drama

24 young people 14 – 18 years old – gender unspecified

A one act play with twelve slick scenes that can be performed with simple staging.

Granny and the Wolf

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

Drama

Written to be performed by adults of various ages.

Reimagined version of Greek myths with comic twists and moments of pathos

In the Hands of the Gods

A symposium of Greek Gods muse on the human condition

Drama

Approx 25 – 35 young people 12 – 16 years old

The Best Medicine

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

Comedy

4 women age ranges 40s - 70s

1930’s American prohibition era family drama set within the drama of a speakeasy

Maybe This Time

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

Drama

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

Reimagined version of a traditional tale with a definite sense of adventure and discovery.

The Snow Queen

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

Drama

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

Simple staging.
The play may be performed as a whole short production with no interval. Alternatively, an interval may be held between scenes 2 and 3. Each short play may have a different cast (with the exception of Beatrix Potter) as the ‘kittens’ are very young in scene 1, and are somewhat older in scene 3. The scenes may also be performed stand-alone as 15 minute short plays, preceded by the prologue, using the titles of the scenes as a title for each short plays. (Please ask the author for relevant adaptations)

The Tails of Three Kitties

Adapted for the stage from the works of Beatrix Potter

Drama

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

Atmospheric ensemble based story telling theatre. Reimagined version of a traditional tale with opportunities for physical theatre and ensemble work – lines are unallocated

Little Red Riding Hood

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

Drama

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

Youth theatre fairy tale. Reimagined version of a traditional tale with plenty of comic twists and moments of pathos

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.

Drama

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

The Child Who Melted the Snow Queen’s Heart

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

Drama

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

A light-hearted murder mystery, witty and full of family intrigue set in a 1970’s community centre

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.

Comedy

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

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…

Drama

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