Recommended by Paul Smith

As someone who has written a few 'bench' plays, this is a cracking example of one. In just ten minutes Robert Weibezahl creates two believable characters with a current and backstory and a scenario which is unforced and satisfying. Wonderfully comic and beautifully written. A gem!

Sometimes it is so easy to think, 'I don't want to worry anyone else with my issues' - Sometimes we need someone to take both their arms and hug us and help us and make us feel not alone. Cole Hunter Dzubak perfectly encapsulates this in a matter of just a few words which will resonate with so many. Raw, emotive, realistic and honest writing - that's what Mr Dzubak does so brilliantly with his creative work.

As someone who loves a play set on a park bench, this is a joy. John Friesen creates the most wonderful relationship between Frankie and James, touching, funny and very moving. The spare nature of the writing will allow the actors involved to really 'act' - these are challenging, yet sumptuous roles for the performers. Friesen demonstrates so very well that you don't need constant action to tell a good story. A super piece of writing.

I love this; Tom Erb takes us on a whistlestop tour of Flo's frustrations as she tries to get people to attend her graduation. What is it her Mother says which is so utterly devastating and unforgivable? You will need to read to find out, but along the way you will smile and laugh and maybe have some sympathy. This is a delightful piece of writing which is an absolute joy for an actor to get their teeth into. Love it!

An extraordinary story told in dialogue and wonderfully constructed monologues. Ken Love tells us so much about the titular character through the eyes of others, for we never meet him. The women who tell the story are drawn so well by the writer and offer actors a tremendous opportunity. The play feels like an epic on a small scale. Excellent.

There is nothing so raw and difficult to express as self-discovery, that light bulb moment, that coming to terms with oneself and the world. To put this into words is a triumph, a catharsis and here Jaxson Mackling does just that. Succinct and expressive and revelatory. Honest and strong words from Jaxson Mackling. Go forth and conquer!!!!

What a corker! In this short play Ryan Kaminski skillfully sets a scene, builds up tension to an unexpected and smart climax. There is little doubt that this would set the audience on the edge of their seats and jolt them dramatically as the conclusion is reached. Powerful theatre in just ten minutes - just about perfect!

I suspect many of us have been in Erica's situation and received continual phone calls for someone else; what Tom Erb does so well here is offer a light-hearted perspective on something rather irritating. Fun, imaginative and highly relatable. A super monologue.

Tom Erb's clever monologue illustrates some of the issues faced by those who have a vegan diet, but it contains more than this; Sam's desire is to fit in and not feel awkward could be translated to a whole variety of social situations. The outsider is one of the great 'characters' of literature and the writer here takes it into a new sphere in a cracking monologue which shows the inadvertent isolation of the individual.

Every frustration that Dog Man goes through can be felt by those who have had to deal with other creatures who wreak havoc on our properties. Amber Dickinson illustrates how a human can become obsessed, unnaturally violent, bestial even in order to achieve their ultimate goal. Done with humour but with undertones of the basic instincts of man. Cracking monologue.