Recommended by Alice Josephs

  • Jolly Wally
    23 Mar. 2024
    Born free but now imprisoned in a Florida aquarium, two walruses perform for mobile-phone-camera-wielding seniors. One, defiant, dreams of freedom & plans her escape while her more docile pool mate obediently goes through the motions on the instructions of their trainer. A characterful three hander with the poignancy of Boxer’s end in Animal Farm in its denouement.
  • HOMER
    23 Mar. 2024
    Everyone should have a sporting chance but when the odds are loaded against a wandering human by at least two to one, it’s a harsh world as arbitrary as scattered popcorn at a baseball game. An intriguing, brave three hander which delves into our pitilessly jealous baser & basic instincts as the world & its weather collapses in on itself.
  • An Ordinary Guy
    23 Mar. 2024
    Protests, political activism, that’s not for him. But this man’s heart, yep, it’s through his stomach - ripe or unripe, that sweet & savoury, staple of Italian cuisine - juicy & delicious - the tomato. But faced with the only one left in the world - it’s not his, in fact its valuable seeds belong to humankind, this ordinary guy turns to tastebud criminality leaving the rest of us bereft. A tasty monologue for a male actor which would make a delectably flavourful short film challenging director, actor & cameraman to convey the lip smacking slice & dice culinary experience.
  • What Baggage
    3 Jan. 2024
    An adult play for male and female veteran actors, quietly humorous & subversive. Two seniors discuss their future after a night of passion, possibly aided by a little blue pill. Characterful and humane, this little play tackles a big but little discussed subject, through a couple, in a frank exchange, possibly embarking on a new phase of life.
  • Hearts and Crosses
    30 Dec. 2023
    A delicate adaptation of an O’Henry short story mixing sexual & land politics in cattle ranch country. Definitely a candidate for a short film but could also provide a stage canvas for the right director & an interesting challenge for sound & lighting reflecting the landscape of a torrid marriage kept going by a man‘s bid for independence, a transaction bringing equality with humans producing their own calf as the final act of grace in a very American kingdom. A play with plenty of masculinity subtext to test a male actor and a female role on its own journey.
  • Rudolph Shines a Light on the Situation
    4 Dec. 2023
    A charmingly updated Rudolph & Santa seasonal tale for the gig economy. This two hander needs only simple staging but should set adults thinking while enchanting but gently imbuing negotiating skills in the younger generation. Cleverly integrating known problems for warehouse operatives with Santa’s multinational delivery family business, this could also make a short film making its points as sharply as any pine needles while keeping a genial & sympathetic tone.
  • Better Latte Than Never
    1 Oct. 2023
    Disenchanted with a long-term relationship? A charming piece which will raise a rueful smile from many grown accustomed to their 21st century fix. Cleverly using the talk show format with its competing parties, refereed by a charismatic host, this is a wry, characterful ensemble play. With delicious roles for actors, a director can also make the most of a clash of distinctive personalities to milk those jokes in this consuming tale.
  • Splitting the Check (Ten Minute)
    30 Sep. 2023
    Well, I didn’t see that coming! A truly ingenious twist on dating gone wrong. A great short for male and female adult actors of any age with lots of pleasurable traps for anyone trying to guess the ending. But the biggest trap is for one character. It could work on screen but I would prefer to see it live for the audience reaction. Simple to stage, a director and an acting duo can ratchet up the tension and then leave the audience both bemused and amused by their own gullibility.
  • The Kiss
    24 Sep. 2023
    Who would ever begrudge a sailor returning from war a spontaneous jubilant victory kiss with a stranger during celebrations? Sounds familiar? The 1945 image, sailor and nurse, winged its way around the world, a prized part of the copyrighted collection of a professional photographer. But what of the physical experience of the woman seized by the seafaring warrior? Inspired by the famous photo, this is in itself an inspired, challenging, visceral piece for a trio of actors as characters, each with clashing end-of-war concerns, in a tender but also violent moment for ever frozen in time.
  • President Charles Evans Hughes
    24 Sep. 2023
    History come to life in real time in this charming but hard edged play, with three female and one male role, which delivers political vested interests in an entertaining bundle. Cleverly constructed our sympathies veer from character to character like a swing voter but alight on the humblest but most charismatic by the end. Full of facts but laced with warmth, this little known episode of American history with a fictional but apt entry by a real life representative of Hollywood will sweep audiences along. A crowd pleasing introduction to how elections can be won - or lost!

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