Recommended by Paul Smith

As one who studied The Iliad in the original and in translation for my degree, I am drawn to any work which digs deep into the many aspects of the great work. Homer dealt with so many characters that rounded portrayals were not always part of his poetry which is why works like this are so intriguing. Rand Higbee takes a tiny moment of the story and turns it into a great piece of theatre.

There are so many possibilities within William Triplett's short play - so much scope for interpretation and presentation. The one thing that really comes across strongly is the human inability to vocalise that which we dare not say - forgiveness - whatever it may be about. There is very much something of the Samuel Beckett here - the sparse use of words - words so often loaded with multiple meanings. A gloriously stark piece of writing of indeterminate depth. Cracking stuff!

This is such a great idea scenario; two short plays interlinked by location - each play with fully rounded characters, humour, warmth and super stories. In fact, so rich are each half of the work that they could easily be longer in their own right, but it is the connection that makes this duo work. Christopher Plumridge creates characters so well, so complete and here you have just that. A real gem!

This is very funny - reading it is like eavesdropping on a conversation which you shouldn't be listening to, and the more you listen the less you think you should be listening to it - yet you can't tear yourself away from it!! John Busser has a fertile imagination for sure and will make you laugh out loud. The Washington Monument may never be seen again in the same light!

I love any play which takes you one way, convincing you a story will develop as you think, but the clever writer is using their guile and skill to steer you off course towards a conclusion you least expect and which you don't expect and leaves you thinking. John Busser does all that just here with Feeder. A tremendous piece of work for an actor to perform and one which is so powerful in its quietness. Cracking stuff!

Cripes!!! It is impossible to predict where this play is going to take you. What starts off quietly and calm within minutes switches to the other extreme. Ian Donley takes a big handful of teams, faith, freewill, religion, friendship..... and creates a scenario which is dramatic, bleak and will leave an audience in shock. This excellently well written play is something which creates discussion from the word go and for long after it has been read or performed.

Yikes - this is terrifying - in just a minute Amber R Dickinson has effected a strong piece of science fiction which has the power to hit the emotions and thump you where it hurts. Smart and clever, there is a pretty grim longer play aching to get out but this, for now, is spot on and haunting!

Oh my goodness, what an absolutely cracking little play. A little play about big themes - love, loss and grief. Brenton Kniess has conjured up a really special piece of theatre which is comic, touching and deeply moving and all presented in the most inventive yet understated play. I want to get this on the stage now - it is a total delight!

Morey Norkin is such a wonderful wordsmith and the way he uses language in this fabulous short play is typical of him; smart, clever and entertaining! The simple story offers so much for performers to get their teeth into - The Juggler would make a wonderful premise for a longer piece, but here it is just perfectly formed!

I have long admired Lee Lawing's wonderful imagination and this short sci-fi piece is no exception. In it's utter simplicity it has a huge sense of fun and is hilarious and maybe just has an innocent dig at gay symbolism into the bargain - but in a gentle and comic way. Wonderful.