Recommended by Emma Wood

  • Under the Table
    2 Apr. 2024
    Under the Table is an endearing and quirky murder mystery which prioritises comedy over mystery, and succeeds in doing so. The presence of the affable victim running commentary on this own death during the investigation and flash backs is a key part of the fun. The good cop/bad cop trope is replaced by competent cop / inept cop, which provides for ongoing banter and amusement throughout. A colourful cast of sparring suspects rounds out this delightful romp. Under the Table is an amusing tale executed with flourish. '
  • I'd do anything for love (but I won't do that)
    31 Mar. 2024
    Intrigued by the title, i took a chance on this short play for teenagers. As a high school drama teach it can be hard to find exciting scripts that will engage young people, but this one absolutely does that. Combining realistic banter with tension between the teenage characters, and an unfolding ghost story that culminates in the arrival of some fairly terrifying ghosts, the script offers a lot of scope for teenage peformers to sink their teeth into. The audience will be gripped by the elements of surprise too. A great pick for teens!
  • TRAIN
    16 Mar. 2022
    Even just a read of this monologue is an electrifying experience, so I would love to see it performed! Written with a extreme focus on the moment by moment experience of a blind woman surrounded by an already hostile city environment, then suddenly thrust into a brush with death, the tension rises and rises. The immediacy of the writing is gripping. What an actor could do with this!
  • AFFINITY LUNCH MINUTES
    27 Dec. 2021
    A great many well expressed words have already been written about this outstanding play. I let it sit with me for a few days before writing, because there's so much worthy of praise it's hard to sum up what hit me most. But for me it was that moment in the simple but powerful climax when a character who has long made excuses for himself and others stands up. He knows he has much to lose, and any gains will be hard fought and long term, but he will not continue to leave the 'heavy lifting' to others. Produce this!
  • Mrs Dilber's Christmas Carol.
    9 Nov. 2021
    There's a lot to love about Mrs Dilber's Fabulous Bedcurtains. The reframing from old rich bloke Scrooge as the centrepiece of A Christmas Carol to the straight talking, working class Mrs Dilber is in itself a joy. This action packed comedy maintains much of the original story line we all know so well while bringing an entirely fresh perspective and bold changes to well loved characters (Tiny Tim can never be seen in the same way again - be warned!) Arthur Jolly's Mrs Dilber has wicked turn of phrase bound to delight audiences.
  • On the Farce Day of Christmas
    22 Jun. 2021
    I can't imagine a Christmas audience not rolling in the aisles with this play. The clever set up, the colourful characters and cascading complications bring laugh after laugh. The whip smart dialogue and up to date language and references offer a delightful modern festive comedy at a time when tried and true plays are often favoured. Highly recommend, serve with sherry and a piece of Christmas cake!
  • Sellswords of Sherwood (Sherwood Cycle #2)
    19 May. 2021
    With a host of swashbuckling characters, including some devilish and daredevil female characters, Beyond Sherwood offers intrigue, adventure, plenty of action, and pacey, deft dialogue. Staged imaginatively to capture the castle and its many different nooks and crannies, this could be an exciting spectacle in production. Congratulations!
  • BABY FEVER - a short play
    12 May. 2021
    Baby fever is an absolute hoot, depicting the worn down accidental mother who never wanted children and her more idealistic, child free sister contemplating pregnancy. There are so many laugh out loud zingers in here, right up till the last line. While it's tongue in cheek, there is a satisfying point well made about the idea vs the reality of motherhood. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would love to sit with an audience all laughing and groaning at the same time as we are treated to the comedic truth of 'before and after motherhood'!
  • The Golden Rule
    12 May. 2021
    A tight set up with two well drawn characters and strong tension around believable workplace issues. I really liked how the playwright made me care about Sara, and root for her in the face of an arrogant bully. Deft writing left me thinking the play was resolved bu there was more to come, in a different ending than I had anticipated. Definitely a good read, with two well crafted roles for actors.
  • THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR
    12 May. 2021
    Genuinely engrossing, and brilliantly walking a line between laugh out loud funny and thought provoking, this is a play i would love to see onstage. It would definitely be a conversation starter! The concept is original, and the physical setting of next door neighbours creates intensity. The dialogue is zippy and smart throughout, making the standout moments where an unanswered question hangs in the air really tense. The portrayal of two very different marriages is insightful, and intriguing. I kept being surprised right till the end.

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