Recommended by Paul Smith

  • Paul Smith: Something Very Real

    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!

    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!

  • Paul Smith: On This Site in 1782

    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 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!

  • Paul Smith: You Went There

    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!

    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!

  • Paul Smith: Feeder (A Monologue)

    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!

    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!

  • Paul Smith: my brother's keeper

    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.

    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.

  • Paul Smith: The Peculiar Puppets of Philip Platt

    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!

    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!

  • Paul Smith: The Juggler

    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!

    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!

  • Paul Smith: Somewhere Over the Glory Effect

    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.

    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.

  • Paul Smith: BAPTISMAL - 10-Minute, moments in a confessional booth

    As a piece of theatre about faith, Baptismal covers nearly all bases. Tom Erb has crafted a charming piece of work which looks at the pros and cons and a number of religions as a young man confesses what he sees as sins to a priest. By turn it is funny, wry, interesting and pertinent; we are all so full of questions about faith, whether we have one or no and through the confessional device the writer offers some thoughts to the Everyman who seeks enlightenment.

    As a piece of theatre about faith, Baptismal covers nearly all bases. Tom Erb has crafted a charming piece of work which looks at the pros and cons and a number of religions as a young man confesses what he sees as sins to a priest. By turn it is funny, wry, interesting and pertinent; we are all so full of questions about faith, whether we have one or no and through the confessional device the writer offers some thoughts to the Everyman who seeks enlightenment.

  • Paul Smith: Hugh Done It

    Oh this is brilliant - just up my street - a wonderful play on words short comedy which is huge fun - what is clever, is that it just goes on long enough, not outstaying its welcome. A little treat!

    Oh this is brilliant - just up my street - a wonderful play on words short comedy which is huge fun - what is clever, is that it just goes on long enough, not outstaying its welcome. A little treat!