Recommended by Daniel Emlyn-Jones

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    A fabulous play which is so real. When two people get close there is conflict, push and pull, fear and pain. So often in drama this becomes such a cliche but here it is masterfully treated. Gritty, real, painful and behind it a luminous and beautiful sense of a growing love between these men. It is also beautifully proportioned with an ending which uses the lightest of touches and is pure perfection. The literary reference is also nice. It is there but without any clumsiness.

    A fabulous play which is so real. When two people get close there is conflict, push and pull, fear and pain. So often in drama this becomes such a cliche but here it is masterfully treated. Gritty, real, painful and behind it a luminous and beautiful sense of a growing love between these men. It is also beautifully proportioned with an ending which uses the lightest of touches and is pure perfection. The literary reference is also nice. It is there but without any clumsiness.

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    A clever play with an original and compelling premise. As a Brit I'm afraid to say I hadn't heard of Lafayette, but I can't think of a better introduction to this history. A truly entertaining and beautifully handled piece of drama, but with a vital and important message.

    A clever play with an original and compelling premise. As a Brit I'm afraid to say I hadn't heard of Lafayette, but I can't think of a better introduction to this history. A truly entertaining and beautifully handled piece of drama, but with a vital and important message.

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    A delightfully funny play which toys and dances with traditional scripture in a fun and affectionate manner. The linguistic and comedic inventiveness seems to know no bounds. A real treat.

    A delightfully funny play which toys and dances with traditional scripture in a fun and affectionate manner. The linguistic and comedic inventiveness seems to know no bounds. A real treat.

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    A compelling, beautifully paced and proportioned play which raises vital questions. In relationships it isn't always hurt that does the most damage. It can be apathy, a failure to step back from the whirlwind of day to day living. How many relationships do we wish we'd cultivated or kept up with? What is the nature of loneliness? Does it begin with our relationship with ourself? To what extent are we responsible for being left behind? A beautiful play which I do hope to see produced.

    A compelling, beautifully paced and proportioned play which raises vital questions. In relationships it isn't always hurt that does the most damage. It can be apathy, a failure to step back from the whirlwind of day to day living. How many relationships do we wish we'd cultivated or kept up with? What is the nature of loneliness? Does it begin with our relationship with ourself? To what extent are we responsible for being left behind? A beautiful play which I do hope to see produced.

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    A highly atmospheric and haunting play. I have only visited Valdez in the summer (for the Valdez Theatre Conference where this play was read) but I wonder what it would be like in the winter. The ancient landscape and massive glaciers slowly gouging through the mountains, and the people who ventured here in search of gold, despite the dangers. This play is highly evocative and frightening and I'd love to see a production.

    A highly atmospheric and haunting play. I have only visited Valdez in the summer (for the Valdez Theatre Conference where this play was read) but I wonder what it would be like in the winter. The ancient landscape and massive glaciers slowly gouging through the mountains, and the people who ventured here in search of gold, despite the dangers. This play is highly evocative and frightening and I'd love to see a production.

  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: Satori by Nicholas Walker Herbert
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    I love Nicholas Walker Herbert's chilling dystopian visions of a future America. Of course, for many Americans, one doesn't have to look to the past to find dystopia, and Sartori, set in recent times, charts the course of several characters navigating urban hardship. The pain, struggle and vulnerability (there is even a character with tourettes) was suffused with hope of a better life which reminded me of 'Of Mice and Men'. This gave the play a beautifully compelling yearning quality.

    I love Nicholas Walker Herbert's chilling dystopian visions of a future America. Of course, for many Americans, one doesn't have to look to the past to find dystopia, and Sartori, set in recent times, charts the course of several characters navigating urban hardship. The pain, struggle and vulnerability (there is even a character with tourettes) was suffused with hope of a better life which reminded me of 'Of Mice and Men'. This gave the play a beautifully compelling yearning quality.

    ”
  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: Whatever You Conceive Him to Be by Samantha Cocco
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    With stunning realism, the relationship between two individuals is slowly and painfully revealed. What is the answer when abuse occurs? The instinct is blame and punishment, and of course the law must take its course. But for the victim, does this help? Can we learn to live with the pain or even have pity for the abuser? This play takes us unflinchingly right to the heart of this horror, which is of course where all great theatre should be, for even the words 'you are not alone' can help.

    With stunning realism, the relationship between two individuals is slowly and painfully revealed. What is the answer when abuse occurs? The instinct is blame and punishment, and of course the law must take its course. But for the victim, does this help? Can we learn to live with the pain or even have pity for the abuser? This play takes us unflinchingly right to the heart of this horror, which is of course where all great theatre should be, for even the words 'you are not alone' can help.

    ”
  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: Dirty Harry and Virgin Sally by Paul Braverman
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    This play was delightful and original. A Condor immaculate conception and a nicely woven dance of two characters getting close. As the anthropocene extinction deepens it also uses comedy to deftly touch upon a vitally important topic. For me this is far more powerful than plays which lecture the audience.

    This play was delightful and original. A Condor immaculate conception and a nicely woven dance of two characters getting close. As the anthropocene extinction deepens it also uses comedy to deftly touch upon a vitally important topic. For me this is far more powerful than plays which lecture the audience.

    ”
  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: The Moth Man Cries by Marshall Logan Gibbs
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    A terrifying and gripping play with masterly use of suspense. History and particularly colonial history is bathed in blood. Communities, families and individuals can also be colonised by ideas. For me the Moth Man is a visceral cry for vengeance, a fable and a warning. The mysterious, multitextured nature of this subject was handled beautifully. I saw a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference 2026 and was on the edge of my seat.

    A terrifying and gripping play with masterly use of suspense. History and particularly colonial history is bathed in blood. Communities, families and individuals can also be colonised by ideas. For me the Moth Man is a visceral cry for vengeance, a fable and a warning. The mysterious, multitextured nature of this subject was handled beautifully. I saw a reading of this at the Valdez Theatre Conference 2026 and was on the edge of my seat.

    ”
  • Daniel Emlyn-Jones: My Turn to Drive by Christine Kulcheski
    “

    I saw a reading of this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference 2026 and loved the tone of the piece. I'm a man (a gay man) but I wanted to go with them for their weekend of cocktails! And share my problems! The dialogue felt very natural and fun which made the times when the women shared serious problems even more powerful. This deserves to be produced (if it hasn't been already).
    I do also want to see a longer play about their weekend. I love these characters and want MORE!

    I saw a reading of this play at the Valdez Theatre Conference 2026 and loved the tone of the piece. I'm a man (a gay man) but I wanted to go with them for their weekend of cocktails! And share my problems! The dialogue felt very natural and fun which made the times when the women shared serious problems even more powerful. This deserves to be produced (if it hasn't been already).
    I do also want to see a longer play about their weekend. I love these characters and want MORE!

    ”