Recommended by Paul Smith

Having worked in the catering industry and at weddings, the scenario is that of nightmares that one can suffer - and then you realise how a song has influenced the outcome of the story - how ironic!! Cracking little monologue from the pen of James Perry!

Deep seated emotions and resentment play a huge role in this drama of a broken family. Sam Lander has created an absorbing narrative which, though set in a small environment, somehow feels epic in scale. The chracters are well drawn and there is alot of backstory to make them three dimensional. What you have here is just great story-telling and good writing which creates an excellent play which would provide actors with great roles and audiences with alot of food for thought. Great stuff!

What an absolute belter of a play. Wonderfully constructed and written with twists and turns which are just laugh out loud. A trio of perfect roles for actors and one which audiences would utterly adore. Mike Byham has created one of the funniest, wackiest and most entertaining plays I have read in a long time. I am going to have to get this on stage some time very soon! Comedy gold.

You don't have to be a fan of chess to thoroughly enjoy this clever play which offers drama, tension, comedy and a delicious dark twist which leads you to think very differently about facing up to strangers. James Perry has a wonderful imagination and 'Check Please' offers three super characters and a scenario which is rich in storytelling. A cracking play.

Loss and grief create so many feelings; the irrational and inaccurate included. In this deeply poignant play, Mike Byham illustrates just how easy it is to misinterpret events and how stubborness can loom large and bias our thoughts. Sometimes it takes others to see the error of our ways and set us straight and this is so well portrayed here. An extremely understated piece of writing dealing with issues of great depth. A compelling and beautifully constructed and written piece of theatre.

This is a real cracker of a monologue - so well is it written that you can really 'hear' the responses of Peter. Debbie Lamedman builds the pace so well and when the climax is reached you can only feel elation that Caroline takes the decision she does. How many people have such a conversation (or should have) with their partner? The words are firmly set in reality and a wonderful monologue for an actor; guaranteed to make an impression. Just excellent!

What a delight! Jacquelyn Floyd-Priskorn's take on Cinderella works like a dream and offers a young actor a fantastic monologue full of perfect imagery and appropriate language. Clever, engaging and fun. It is amazing how much entertainment can be achieved in just a few minutes. Magical!

The success of TV programmes such as 'Married At First Sight' offers a chance to see how arranged marriages work - Brenton Kniess considers how it might be if it was made mandatory. The premise works well and maybe offers some semblance of positivity. Kniess writes with huge intelligence and includes a multitude of issues which would make this play such a great piece for discussion. A stark look at a future but with a grain of hope! Superb writing.

The mind of Lee R Lawing works in a mysterious and brilliant way. This short political satire is smart, clever and really effective. How is so much offered in so few words - that is the question, but what could appear to be an amusing sketch is chock full of threat, foreboding and visions of a possible dystopian future where ignorance is punished! Brilliant stuff.

This extremely pertinent piece may refer to the conflict in Gaza in 2023, but it could refer to any conflict. Explaining the highly complex in simpler terms to a child is almost impossible - war is never straightforward, nor is apportioning blame. What Cam Eickmeyer does here is vocalise the difficulties involved in this stark, but utterly truthful monologue, which, in its simplicity, gives it great power and dynamism. Incredibly effective writing.