Recommended by Paul Smith

This is an utterly charming, heart-warming and very suddenly a very emotional play. Vince Melocchi effortlessly takes us into a meeting of a couple who, after many years, have re-connected on Zoom - it is a meeting of souls who maybe should have always been together. Uncomplicated, honest and beautiful writing. I heartily recommend it. Beautiful.

I love nothing more than a small, well-formed, entertaining piece of writing and Daniel Guyton ticks all the boxes with this very amusing, offbeat story of 'innocent' theft. How many people haven't 'acquired' pens, pencils, paperclips....from the workplace? The result goes to show how in just a minute a story can be full told. A joy.

What a wonderfully interesting and oh so pertinent story is this. I was not aware of Dora Dean but in this short monologue there is much to find out and spark further research. Rachel Luann Strayer has chosen a fascinating subject for this look at attitudes to race and entertainment and the points are subtly and very well made. Dora Dean is very good to meet and a full-length look at her life would make a really entertaining show. One of those treasures you find and feel so glad you did.

Within 10 minutes Andrew Martineau paints such a realistic portrait of love between a mother and son which is underlined by the impossible situation they find themselves in; being torn apart by events of the past and by the present dilemma. It is a masterful piece of craftsmanship which hits you in the solar plexus as it draws to a close. This dramatic gem will linger a long time in the mind.

This is quite wonderful. A brilliantly drawn clash of cultures, personalities and eras which is hilarious. The jousting of David Tennant as he interviews William Shakespeare is witty, well observed and carries great truths with it. Splendidly original, I can't recommend this highly enough. Loved it!

I always admire writers who create something so very original and clever - and, make it work! John Busser does just that here with a complex, but slick comedy of 'no manners'. A battle of egos and alter-egos is played out smartly in front of the on-looking waiter who is floored by what he sees..... Witty and skilful, this would play out wonderfully on stage - oh, and there is a line about Cary Grant which made me fall off my chair. Wonderful ending too. Sublime writing!

This wonderful adaptation of Homer's epic poem is choc-a-bloc with fun for the whole family. Mythological story-telling is very in-vogue and Christine Foster distills all the best bits of the story and fills the stage with great characters and their adventures. The scope for invention in staging, costuming and acting makes it a super project for any company! Go have some real fun and real thrills to boot! Fabulous stuff!

As always with Philip Middleton Williams' writing, the words are beautifully arranged and paint wonderful pictures. This very poignant reflection on a Father, now gone, will strike chords with many sons and in just a couple of minutes gives us a brief vignette of such an important relationship. Exquisitely written.

A very few minutes of writing which made me laugh out loud. Very funny, possibly disturbing but clever and witty and will demand a straight face from both actors as well as a command of some tricky words! Great stuff!

A simple, thoughtful and warm story of a meeting between two people. Guy Newsham is so effective in the unfussy telling of the story that this short piece feels rather longer and filled with humanity. The reader/viewer is left satisfied, but pondering the future for the characters. A lovely piece of writing.