Recommended by Paul Donnelly

A lovely meditation on loss and enduring connection. The power of stories to change lives is compellingly illustrated. It was a real joy to share this moving journey with two such warm and engaging characters.

This is a delicious comedy with a compelling undercurrent of suspense. Barry's mounting hysteria is hysterically funny. The twist ending takes us out on a high note and reframes everything that came before.

A charming reimagining of the myth of Robin Hood in the context of the political and social turmoil of the age of the imaginative young writer composing the tale. This is a rich and vivid narrative told with vital theatricality.

What a witty portrait of seven angry dwarves! From the real story of Snow White to their search for a fairy tale to reinvent, these dwarves are richly entertaining and present a vivid challenge to the poor presenter's attempts to maintain order. Great fun every step of the way.

Oh my god is this play a riot! From the vividly theatrical set-up to the revelation of the final deal-breaker, this piece is tartly funny and thoroughly engaging.

The struggle to find identity and find respect for one's identity is crisply illustrated in this engaging and provocative play. Fatso's progression from a struggling and conflicted individual to one who is willing to assert and stand behind their identity unfolds with real integrity, never sugarcoating the struggles still to come, but still representing a triumphant leap forward. Setting purgatory in McDonalds is a source of laughs, but also of surprising resonance.

A couple on the brink are able to communicate through the metaphor of toasting marshmallows. This is a warm and resonant comedy exploring the universal experience of doubt about the sustainability of a relationship. Read it to see how Lee and Jordan resolve their dilemma.

The irony of the title is, of course, that writing is not simple at all. This is evidenced by the lengths that Jack will go to to gain inspiration. Gerry and Dusty are amusing companions on Jack's urgent quest.

A wrenching salute to the courage and impact of four women spies who are about to be executed. Their courage even shakes their Nazi executioners out of their complacency. This is a gripping and moving work.

I must admit I'm with the women of the book club on the subject of horror literature. But, that being said, I loved the repartee and Lavinia's sudden channeling of the figures of terror. A really fun read even for those of us who've never read Lovecraft.