Recommended by Paul Donnelly

This complex mother/daughter relationship deepens as more aspects are revealed. Their relationship is also placed in the context of historical struggles and current political realities. Their differing perspectives on the historical struggle throw the issues in their relationship into bold relief. Ultimately and satisfyingly their bond proves to be stronger than their differences. This is a compellingly structured piece with an urgent story to tell.

This is a lyrical exploration of grieving and the longing for connection that continues well after death. A son struggles to make peace with the memory and the mystery of his late father in concert and in conflict with his father's spirit. If there was a trophy for compassionate understanding it would go to John Mabey.

The Lesser Leyendecker is a gripping and vividly theatrical exploration of the tension between sibling love and sibling rivalry and between the commercial and artistic imperatives. A manipulative interloper threatens the Leyendecker's bond with tragic consequences. This is a work of great compassion and insight and a compelling story with well-drawn characters.

A funny, but slightly chilling, premise brilliantly executed. As Samuel L. Jackson has to alter his vocabulary to match the standards of his new Disney employer, his palpable frustration and riotous substitutes for his characteristic profanity are most amusing. The chill comes from the realization that the totality of Disney control of the film industry is barely farcical.

Poor Sandra, an aspiring playwright, can't find a way to act on her celebrity crush. Which may be just as well. The description of Sandra's play is laugh-out-loud funny and her final response to "helpful" Linda suggests a dawning self-awareness and self-confidence. Truly a delight from beginning to end.

This is the stirring story of the victory of reason and compassion over falsehoods and fears. The contemporary resonance makes it all the more compelling. Would that reason and compassion would so triumph in our age. Both Margery and Harvey are well drawn and sympathetic characters. Robert is well drawn but not so sympathetic. He is an excellent comic foil down to his final line.

An enigmatic and seductive conversation that remains mysterious from beginning to end. The interaction between Leslie and Scaar leads to questioning the value of language and the nature of connection. As our understanding of Leslie's "rehabilitation" progresses from the benign to the menacing the suggestion of a repressive state and Scaar's role in it begins to emerge. This is a darkly intriguing work throughout.

The shifting power dynamics between the interviewer and interviewee are fascinating to watch in this most engaging two-hander. The characters are both complex and clearly drawn. There is much wit in the dialogue and real delight in the final beat.

The Ho-Hum possession proves to be witty and engaging. Life isn't all butterflies and kittens for Daniel P and his spirit doppelganger, but it is clear they can't get by without one another. However "meh" that getting by may be. Following Daniel's dawning awareness and their need for ... ah ... reunification is a wildly funny treat.

The shifting and escalating sense of menace is absolutely riveting. The slippery sense of Marty's role - is he the menace or the menaced? - kept me on the edge of my seat. We are pitched into a world where expected rules no longer seem to apply - another element that keeps us off-balance. The final moments are filled with true, earned terror.