Christopher Plumridge

Christopher Plumridge

Christopher (He, Him, His etc) 49, from East Anglia, UK has been an amateur actor/director for many years as a hobby. He originally wrote many short stories, for fun, but now writes plays for stage and radio. He has now written over 30 pieces of various lengths with the aim to be as diverse a playwright as possible. His BEAR series of monologues have captured many imaginations, so he is now converting them into animations one by one.

Plays

  • The Marsupial Merchants of Venice
    In a feature length version of my play THE WALLABIES OF VENICE, some characters remain, new characters are introduced, one changes sex (not during the play I might add) and Napoleon comes crashing into the scene to steal the Limelight, and Venice obviously.

    45 Mins of daft farce based on the untrue story of when Wallabies graced the canals of Venice.
  • Two Monologues, a Sandwich and a Floyd-Priskorn
    A semi-autobiographical nonsense play written in response to a Facebook Post by a fellow playwright whose name may appear in the play title.
    Around 10 mins, don't drag it out.
    Have fun, keep off the grass and away from Prillamans.....
  • Dear Bertie (A letter from a mother to her son.)
    A mothers letter to her son who has recently left home.

    DISCLAIMER: This is my fathers work, he never gets round to sharing it, but has allowed me.

    A short monologue in a form of a letter. A comedy. (Dad joke warning)
  • Is This Franks Phone?
    A middle aged lady receives a series of text messages, all saying 'IS THIS FRANKS PHONE?' As she slowly becomes frustrated, will she find out who is sending all these repeated messages....and who is Frank anyway?
  • The Doctors Call
    In his final moments in hospital, Richard is comforted by Doctor Khatri.

    A short play.

    Content warning: Discussion of End of Life.
  • Eesha's Dilemma
    Eesha serves mint tea to her husband Fariq but she has one big worry of which she confronts her husband. A tense marital short two hander, with mint tea.
  • A Daffodilly-Ding-Dong
    A group of daffodils stand in the sun, deeply rooted in the ground, enjoying a spring day. But one daffodil is not so happy. Then along comes a human child.... will they all be picked, or does a worse fait await?

    A play for children.
  • Stockholm Or...
    A middle aged soldier is moments from freedom, but something is holding them back.

    A one minute Monologue.
  • My Hired Hand
    A One Minute monologue.
    A child has a new prosthetic arm or hand, and they can't wait to show it off at school on Monday!
  • BUZZ
    A Malcolm and Janet Play.
    Malcolm and Janet have invited their son and his girlfriend Lesley for another British 'Afternoon Tea'. Lesley has lost a bet and has reluctantly agreed to the forfeit. But she has accounted for surprise guests?
    Will Lesley be buzzing...?

    Content warning: Adult content throughout, one swear word.
  • The Wallabies of Venice
    Borderline absurdism, this one act play depicts the untrue story of when Wallabies ran amok in Venice. It's April 1797, The Doge of Venice, Ludovico Manin has assembled an unlikely task force to come up with a plan to control the wallabies.
    Will they come up with a humane solution?
    Furthermore, is there something much darker looming on the horizon?
  • The Uninvited
    A Monologue for anyone.

    In my most personal piece of work, I describe my unwelcome guest.
  • Did you do the thing yet, Joe?
    Joe, a middle aged American man, just trying to lead a normal life is suddenly inundated with messages from an unknown sender which reads: Did you do the thing yet, Joe?
    Kind of based on kind of true events, this is the tale of how Joe copes with this series of unexplained events.
  • Turn Around Where Possible ( A Sat-Nav Dilemma)
    Driver has programmed their required destination into their Sat-Nav. But this Sat-Nav has just received an upgrade. So surely this journey should go without a hitch....
  • The Matriarch
    Janika, a chef and restaurant owner speaks to one of her most loyal employees. But another of her employees is not following the recipe. She enlists Harry to make sure they follow the method.....
  • Table for Thirteen
    Jesus, (Yes, He) is on the telephone booking a table at his favourite restaurant for the last supper.
    A light comedic monologue.
    5 mins.
  • The Curious Tale of Marston Moore's Untimely Demise
    Marston Moore has died, he must accept this. He arrives at the Pearly Gates to meet St Peter. But there is no record of him. Together they trace his steps to see how he met his untimely demise...
  • ONE
    What if we only ever communicate one word at a time?
    An experimental piece to test this theory.

    A short diologue.
  • I Have No Words
    A True Monologue. - Martha, a talented artist living in Ukraine, comes to terms with life in an invaded country.
    These are Martha's words only, I am simply the scribe. This is a record, taken from her messages between us. This is Part One, I hope and pray Part Two has a happy ending.
    Any royalties from this piece will be sent directly to Martha and her family.
    (Please take time to see...
    A True Monologue. - Martha, a talented artist living in Ukraine, comes to terms with life in an invaded country.
    These are Martha's words only, I am simply the scribe. This is a record, taken from her messages between us. This is Part One, I hope and pray Part Two has a happy ending.
    Any royalties from this piece will be sent directly to Martha and her family.
    (Please take time to see her beautiful artwork in the accompanying YouTube video.)
  • Y & Z
    A short horror for radio/audio.
    Y and Z speak via telephone, Y is in mortal danger, can Z help?

    Please check out the Audio Production attached.
  • Mamma's Combination (A gender role reversal version of DADDY'S SAFE)
    In this gender role reversal of my play DADDIES SAFE, this time He is tied to a chair and gagged. She needs the combination to his mothers safe.
    But will he be a good boy and comply... or will he scream like a pig...?

    Content Warning: Some strong language and scene of being held captive.
  • Daddy's Safe
    All he wants is the code for her Daddy's safe. All she wants is to scream. Who will win?
    Written as a prompt from the word 'Scream'
    3 Pages.

    Content Warning: Some strong language and scene of being held captive.
  • (A Day in) The Life of Pie
    A collaboration with Morey Norkin.

    A song lyric based play noir.

    PI John Pie receives a letter from a mystery lady by the name of Kay, she needs him to find the murderer of her father, X. Will this wizened old ex-cop be able to follow her clues and track down X's exes....is Kay all she seems, who really was the shoeshine man... and does anyone care......?

    Back...
    A collaboration with Morey Norkin.

    A song lyric based play noir.

    PI John Pie receives a letter from a mystery lady by the name of Kay, she needs him to find the murderer of her father, X. Will this wizened old ex-cop be able to follow her clues and track down X's exes....is Kay all she seems, who really was the shoeshine man... and does anyone care......?

    Back in August 2022, across miles of sea and land, two wrangling writers from two great countries separated by one common language decided to take the beginnings of a simple monologue and produced this earth shattering, ground breaking 'PLAY NOIR' !

    Christopher Plumridge (British, don't you know!) and Morey Norkin (Our Man in Japan) bring you.....
    (A DAY IN) THE LIFE OF PIE !
  • Pie 2 - A Bigger Slice of Pie
    You didn’t ask for a sequel. You didn’t need it. Surely, you didn’t want it. (Sorry for calling you Shirley.) But here it is anyway, the sequel to (A Day in) The Life of Pie: Pie 2 - A Bigger Slice of Pie!

    Yes, those two desperate, attention-seeking playwrights, Christopher Plumridge and Morey Norkin, are at it again. Follow PI John Pie as he tries to unravel the mystery of who killed Maxwell...
    You didn’t ask for a sequel. You didn’t need it. Surely, you didn’t want it. (Sorry for calling you Shirley.) But here it is anyway, the sequel to (A Day in) The Life of Pie: Pie 2 - A Bigger Slice of Pie!

    Yes, those two desperate, attention-seeking playwrights, Christopher Plumridge and Morey Norkin, are at it again. Follow PI John Pie as he tries to unravel the mystery of who killed Maxwell with his silver hammer. (You can already see where this is headed.)

    But wait! You say you haven’t read the first Pie adventure? Well, now you can listen to it! Enjoy an all-star cast of some of your favorite playwrights (and me): John Busser, Jacquie Floyd-Priskorn, Lisa Dellagiarino Feriend, Dana Hall, and Debra Cole! Conceived, directed, recorded, nursed, and bankrolled by Christopher Plumridge.

    https://youtu.be/5X6PXk1Z0r8?si=g48paoJ3I8Hnsoyd
  • A Ruby in a Sky of Diamonds
    April stands outside during a party on a hot midsummer's night, alone. Until a beautiful stranger joins her under the stars. But is this stranger more than she seems?
    A short fantasy.
    9 Pages. 10 Mins.
  • The Crown versus Santa Claus
    In the Crown versus Santa Claus, poor Father Christmas finds himself in court for his illegal encroachment into the month of October. Can his defence lawyer Ivana Letimov set him free?
  • Autumn's Fall
    Autumn, a lady aged 67 falls over in a supermarket, did she 'have a fall' or simply fall over?
    A monologue.
  • Sex In Strange Places And Other Self Help Guidance For Couples Over 50 Who Want To Stay Together
    Malcolm and Janet, later in the evening after the events of my play COMING IN, sit in bed reading. Malcolm is engrossed in the novel, The Book Thief. Janet has other ideas for the night, and a book with a very long title.

    Content warning: Implied sexual scene and references.
  • Cleo's Clients
    Not a 'normal' day in the life of Cleo, real name Alice, a high-class brothel worker.
    A comedy farce - 23 pages.

    CONTENT WARNING: Adult language and scenes throughout. Use of an intimacy director at the discretion of the producers.
  • Playwrights Versus Zombies!
    Two playwrights meet over Zoom, (which can also be staged) to discuss their plays, but all is not well with the world....Zombies are on the loose! One playwright in LA, the other in New York, can they help each other survive a Zombie Apocalypse?
    10 to 15 mins.
  • The Weak Link in the Chain
    A monologue for anyone to read. The narrator is held back and restrained by chains, but are they physical or metaphorical chains?
  • Come in for Coffee?
    Ian walks Cathy home after their first date, a meal in a nearby restaurant, where the subject of coffee seems to have dominated the conversation.
    Cathy wants to share her love of Coffee, but Ian wants more.

    Content warning: Some adult language.
  • Baba Mikey
    A monologue.
    A father speaks to his sleeping baby son.
  • 'E'Scape
    An inventor brings his latest invention to the table of three millionaire judges, hoping to win their investment, as part of a TV show.
    A short comedy. 5 Pages.
  • The Bear - Beginnings
    Part one of The Bear series of monologues. Bear begins life in a little town house in Frankfurt, 1941, but all is not well with the world......
  • The Bear - Crib of Doom
    A Teddy Bear with unusual powers comes to face his impending doom........
    A short monologue.
    Part Two of The Bear Monologue Series.
  • The Bear - Reborn
    Part Three of The Bear Monologues. Bear describes how he became Great Britain's first ever Vampire Teddy Bear......
  • The Bear - Takes Manhattan
    Part 4 of the Bear Monologues.
    This time Great Britains first ever Vampire Teddy Bear takes Manhattan!
  • The Bear - Bear Save The Queen!
    In July 1982, Intruder Michael Fagan successfully managed to break into Buckingham Palace and even made it into the Her Majesty’s Bedroom where he came face to face with Queen Elizabeth II. This is The Bear’s version of events that night….
    Episode 5 of The Bear Monologues.
  • The Bear - Exit, Pursued by a Vampire Bear
    Part 6 of The Bear Series.

    A Monologue.

    This time Great Britain's First Ever Vampire Teddy Bear finds himself at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, London for a performance of The Winters Tale. But it's a dark and stormy night...
  • The Bear - A Dogged Tail
    Part 7 of The Bear Series
    A Monologue to be read by anyone, preferably with a British accent.

    This time Bear is in Edinburgh, Scotland, while his family take in a fringe show, Bear embarks on an adventure with his new found furry four legged friend.
  • The Bear - Diamonds are for Heather
    Part 8 of The Bear Series

    During the early hours of November 7th 2000 at the Millennium Dome, London, a gang led by William Cockram attempted the theft of the Millennium Star Diamond. Reports stated that London’s Met Police thwarted their attempt…. This is what REALLY happened…
  • The Bear - Bears on a Plane!
    Part 9 of The Bear Series of Monologues.

    This time our Bear hero finds himself on a plane to New York. But all is not as it seems on this flight, so many bears... and one bad, bad bear.....

    Twas a dark and stormy flight.......
  • The Bear- The Bear with the Golden Fur
    Part 10 of The Bear series of Monologues.

    In this, the finale, Bear is enlisted to track down the worlds biggest criminal mastermind Bear.
  • Silent Vows
    A Monk and a Nun meet on a park bench in summer. Both are observing vows of silence. But they find other ways to communicate.......
  • Scripted Characters
    Stage directions never get much say in a script, hidden away in brackets. Is it now their time to speak? What about props, music, set etc...…?
    4 Pages
  • Fairytale of the Street
    A homeless man in a doorway of a shop on Christmas eve tries to comfort himself against the cold, his fears and his memories.

    Content warning: Adult language.
  • The Disappearance of Greta
    1943 Berlin, Franz and Helga Fischer are being questioned by the SS over the whereabouts of a 14 year old boy. They deny all knowledge and the SS leave, secretly they are harboring the boy, but where has he gone?
    50-55 minutes.

    Content warning: Adult language, scene of entrapment and implied violence.
  • Samantha's Friend
    Samantha is the only child to David and Jennifer. Like many young girls Samantha has an imaginary friend, but as we watch Samantha grow up Jennifer realizes there is more to her daughters friend than she could ever imagine, leading to a string of unimaginable events.
  • Isobel
    Olly is much bigger than the other boys at school, which has its uses. But Olly leaves school early, to work on the farm, "because there's not much point in you doing exams", where he meets the farmers daughter, Isobel. This meeting changes his life forever.
    A short monologue.
  • Stunning
    A parent stands at the shore of a lake reminiscing about their daughter and what could have been, although written as a man, the narrator can be a woman.
    A short monologue.
  • Coming In
    Malcolm and Janet prepare for their son coming to tea bringing in a new partner for them to meet, only to be presented an unexpected announcement.
    A 10 minute play.
  • Miss R.R.Hood Versus The Wolf.
    Miss Red Riding Hood arrives at her Grandmothers house only to find she has been replaced by a wolf. Familiar story? Yes, But all is not quite as it seems in this twist to the well known fairy tale.
  • Cows 'N' Moon
    Four cows discuss the possibility of jumping over the moon, a dog finds it hilarious and a cat plays the violin, familiar....?
  • To My Dearest Wife Mary
    A middle aged man leaves a trail of 3 letters to his Wife Mary.
    A monologue.
  • Today I will go to him.
    She stands in the hallway, nervous but intent, takes a look in the mirror, takes a deep breath and decides.....
    A short Monologue.
  • I am Esmeralda
    Esmeralda, a young hurricane in the Caribbean, sits and waits her turn to make her mark on the world.
    A short monologue, suitable for radio.
  • Miss Charlotte
    An old house recollects and looks back fondly at it's favorite tenant.
    A short monologue, ideally for radio.
  • Her Smile
    Michael, on business but relaxes in a hotel bar one night after passing a beautiful stranger in the lobby. As he contemplates an evening of drinking or returning to his room for an early night, the beautiful stranger appears once more at the bar.......
  • The Blackbird
    A true story which at some point spins off into a yarn, told by my late grandfather about his role in WW2. He had many stories, I remember some, sadly I did not record him telling them to me. So this is a small sentimental piece which I hope to play the role of my grandfather one day.

    Aircraftsman Plumridge and Squadron Leader Boden await at the side of a runway late one May evening, for the last...
    A true story which at some point spins off into a yarn, told by my late grandfather about his role in WW2. He had many stories, I remember some, sadly I did not record him telling them to me. So this is a small sentimental piece which I hope to play the role of my grandfather one day.

    Aircraftsman Plumridge and Squadron Leader Boden await at the side of a runway late one May evening, for the last remaining bomber to return home......
  • Are You Comfortable?
    Him - A psychologist.
    Her - His patient.
    He seeks to find out the truth of Her fathers death, but will she co-operate?
  • Forgotten
    A tired and stressed writer has just hours to finish his play in order to meet his deadline, but he has forgotten the ending. He only has the two characters in his play to help him, but will they be of any help at all?
  • One Last Stroke
    A farewell message to my soulmate. True and personal, I might not leave it here long.
    A short monologue for anyone to narrate.
  • A Slice of Chhena Poda
    Roopa eagerly awaits her son coming home for a visit to hear the news she's been wanting to hear for years.....
    A short, 4 pages.