Modern and contemporary plays / drama

Book Synopsis'I'm going to answer all your wishes, bubba! Big or small, it'll be me who makes them come true, no one else.' Leila is happy living at home with Noor, her loving but traditional grandmother. But when Aleena, her fiercely independent mother, returns home from prison determined to deliver a new world of fun and excitement, their calm lives are upended in a blur of nail varnish and sweet treats. Family secrets come tumbling into the light, and Leila finds the task of deciding on her future more difficult than she first thought. Ambreen Razia's play Favour is a touching and hopeful family drama about a working-class Muslim family, tackling duty, addiction and the challenge of pulling yourself back together after it all falls apart. It was a Bush Theatre and Clean Break co-production and premiered at the Bush, London, in 2022, directed by Róisín McBrinn and Sophie Dillon Moniram.Trade Review'A lean multi-generational family drama with an emotional punch... its tender dissection of motherhood intersects with class, immigrant life, addiction and faith, alongside the emotional effects of incarceration... Razia's script does a fine job of establishing the complicated layers in the relationships between mothers, daughters and grandmothers... masterful characterisations... incredibly moving' * Guardian *'A searing portrait of a polarised family... Favour has the ambition and emotional yearning of a Greek tragedy yet remains firmly planted in humanity and the lived experience of its characters' * Broadway World *'Funny, pithy and plausible... Razia's characters burst into life with all too human flaws and characteristics... very powerful, with a lot of heart and humour' * WhatsOnStage *'A brilliant balance of raucous comedy and immense pathos... masterly' * Arts Desk *'A revolutionary new play... Razia's script is a lesson in showing rather than telling, at once sharply refined and stuffed to the brim with pop culture references... There are belly laughs and devastating, earth-shattering lows... stories like this are so rarely told' * Independent *'A raw, affecting drama... wit, humanity and unflinching honesty... absorbing and psychologically astute' * iNews *

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Book Synopsis'They're always trying to do that. Make us run off in different directions to try to catch a single hare. Because they know. If we work together we might bring down the stag.' By day, machine operator Prab struggles to survive the precarity and brutality of his factory job in West Bengal. By night, he writes stories for his baby daughter Amba. When a popular actress recruits him to write a play for her, Prab seizes the opportunity to expose the injustice of factory conditions and the rumours of child exploitation. But in his fight for change, is he ready to risk his future, his family and even his own life? Winner of Theatre Uncut's Political Playwriting Award, Sonali Bhattacharyya's Chasing Hares is a tale of resistance and dignity in the face of global exploitation. It was premiered at the Young Vic Theatre, London, in July 2022, directed by Milli Bhatia.Trade Review'[A] drama about the gig economy and the workers trapped inside it [that] plays out like a thriller. Sonali Bhattacharyya's fast, witty script finds an original way to tell the global backstory of the zero-hours workforce, joining up the dots from child labour in West Bengal to unethical working conditions in Britain... [It has] emotional power and intelligence' * Guardian *'Impassioned and moving... stirring stuff' * WhatsOnStage *'Forceful storytelling... heartbreaking... this is no simplistic diatribe about inequality... The story seamlessly yokes the personal to the political in sparkling dialogue' * Telegraph *'Powerful... delivers a persuasive final call-to-arms to its audience' * Time Out *'A story of political hope... Bhattacharyya takes us on a journey that encompasses the idealism of stories, and what happens when that collides with the ugly truth of life' * Reviews Hub *'Ambitious and essential... [it doesn't] shy away from moral complexity and complicity' * The Stage *'Pulls no punches... the play is as entertaining as it is meaningful. An important piece to watch' * Broadway World *'With its energetic arguments, moments of great charm, gritty humour, and mix of filth and idealism, this story of resistance and dignity in the face of dreadful global exploitation is both relevant and contemporary' * Arts Desk *'An exuberant, warm-hearted, socially motivated new play... Bhattacharyya's writing is driven by the uncynical hope that we can put ourselves in each other's shoes and make the world a fairer place' * Observer *'Fascinating... smouldering with anger... its arguments are potently compelling, and it achieves ignition through topicality and sheer political passion' * iNews *

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Book SynopsisPearl, Jan and Linda are enjoying a long-awaited break on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne, when a surprise visitor turns up. They haven't seen Shelley for years, and their retreat becomes a reunion – and pretty soon, a riot. But a lot has changed since they were last together and, cut off from the mainland, tensions rise with the tide. As the sky darkens, the island grows restless with echoes of the past. Will the four still be friends when dawn breaks? Following the smash hits Ladies' Day and Ladies Down Under, Amanda Whittington's Ladies Unleashed is the third play in her Ladies Trilogy. A moving comedy about friendship, growing older and living for today, it was first performed at Hull Truck Theatre in September 2022, directed by Mark Babych. The Ladies are back, and amateur theatre companies – as well as their audiences – are sure to delight in their riotous exploits.Trade Review'A joyous comedy... a story that serves every character with humanity... Whittington has created people who are rich with history and bursting with humour and passion. They're complex, multi-layered, and recognisable... glorious' * The Stage *'A comedy-drama tinged with poignancy... Amanda Whittington's perceptive writing makes it easy for the audience to relate to and grow fond of the characters' * Yorkshire Times *'A strong voice, deeply rooted in the community... a fab sense of humour... clever and funny dialogue, paired with some heart-wrenching scenes exploring womanhood and friendship... Ladies Unleashed has something for everyone' * Hull Is This *

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Book Synopsis'We should've seen this coming. We did. We did see this coming. The world will not be kind to us because we haven't given it a reason to be.' On his fifteenth birthday, Noble transforms into a bird. Thousands of miles away, his sister Cleo is stationed on a remote island with the British Antarctic Survey. But the birds have disappeared and Noble needs to reach her. Lying low until it's safe to take flight, he finds solace in misfit Ellis, while his mum desperately tries to stop their home from falling apart. The world turns. Dark clouds gather. Chaos is on the horizon... Billie Collins's play Too Much World at Once is an urgent coming-of-age story for our times – and a lyrical, theatrical journey that spans continents and lives. It was premiered at HOME, Manchester, in March 2023 by Box of Tricks Theatre before a UK tour.Trade Review'A timely, richly theatrical piece that straddles the intimate and the epic with ease... an impressive debut... heartbreakingly believable, with a welcome mix of light and shade to the story' * The Stage *'Challenging but rewarding... A coming-of-age play with a difference... a full-on environmental call to arms... a remarkable achievement' * Reviews Hub *'Quirky yet beautiful... an unusual take on a coming-of-age story that is wonderfully told with a beautiful simplicity' * West End Best Friend *

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Book Synopsis'No one. No dark knight in shinin armour. Not even someone I'd let fiddle with me on a regular basis. Went through all my twenties thinkin don't worry he'll come. Well, I'm almost forty now, and he still hasn't, has he?' David is in love with King. But King is a superhero. After an unexpected encounter, David plunges himself into a world of sex, drugs and hero worship in the hope of being rescued, until fantasy and reality merge with devastating consequences. Danny Lee Wynter's play BLACK SUPERHERO is a brutal, unflinching, funny portrait of one man's life spiralling out of control, in an age where our idols are Kings and our superheroes Gods. It was premiered at the Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, London, in March 2023, directed by Daniel Evans and with a cast including Dyllón Burnside and the playwright Danny Lee Wynter.Trade Review'Audacious and inventive... full of punchy dialogue and quippy one-liners... Wynter's voice is an exciting one, and BLACK SUPERHERO a unique exploration of blackness, queerness, and mental health' * Evening Standard *'Wickedly funny and provocatively entertaining... some genuinely outrageous one-liners that bring the house down' * Time Out *'Alive and edgy, with plenty of kapow... slowly reveals its emotional powers... a seductive debut' * Guardian *'An incredibly witty play packed full of popular culture references and some crowd-pleasing theatrical sideswipes' * Reviews Hub *'Superb... wildly funny but also dark and deeply thought provoking... playfully and innovatively explores themes that other playwrights shy away from... a funny, sexy, and vital piece of theatre. A powerful debut from a very talented writer' * Theatre Weekly *'A witty debut... a talent to watch' * Telegraph *'Gripping and very funny... a first play that comes from the heart' * British Theatre Guide *'A funny and unflinching exploration of Black masculinity... radical and exciting... Danny Lee Wynter's ambitious play is witty and biting, with intense stand-out moments that force its audience to pay attention' * Independent *'A sexy show… Danny Lee Wynter proves himself a natural-born playwright' * Metro *'Sharp, witty and unflinching... A funny, sexy, and ultimately poignant portrait of fragility in love' * West End Best Friend *'Sexy, brimming with talent... It bristles with ideas and emotion' * Observer *

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Book SynopsisDavid is gay, disabled and profoundly horny. He can't eat, drink or shower by himself – or wank. Totally inexperienced, he embarks on a sexual and romantic odyssey, armed with a fierce brain, and dick pics that he has to get someone to take. Can he keep it casual whilst also relying on round-the-clock care? And will he manage the thrill and uncertainty of random hook-ups after a lifetime of knockbacks? Animal is a hilarious, challenging and heartbreaking play by Jon Bradfield, from a story by Bradfield and Josh Hepple. It won the inaugural Through the Mill Playwriting Prize, was shortlisted for the Papatango Prize, and was first performed at the Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester, and Park Theatre, London, in 2023.Trade Review'What a joy to discover a play that is so bold, so outspoken and so thoroughly unpredictable... Angry and mischievous, droll and unforgettably poignant. Deserves to be seen on a bigger stage as soon as possible' * The Times *'Hard-hitting but wildly entertaining comedy. It's marvellous to find something that deals with so many Big and Important themes in such a breezy, confident way' * Time Out *'A bold and brilliant new queer comedy. Absolutely hilarious. Will resonate with anyone who's experienced the world of modern dating' * Gay Times *'An exceptional piece of theatre... uniquely brilliant in its sensitive foregrounding of a disabled protagonist... searingly insightful, soulfully intimate and utterly hilarious' * The Upcoming *'Hilarious and extremely entertaining... David is a complex and flawed character, and his sarcastic quips and rude sense of humour are always a hit... a gem' * Reviews Hub *'An excellent piece of socially engaged theatre that educates and entertains in equal measure... brutal honesty delivered with raw empathy... Animal is, simply put, a great play' * Broadway World *'Unmissable... a whirlwind of an adventure, combining both intense emotional heartache and literal laugh out loud moments... an exceptional piece of work that hits all the right spots' * Everything Theatre *'Insightful, funny and quietly heartbreaking' * WhatsOnStage *'A wonderful experience... a barrier breaking, provocative exposé on sexual equality, full of humour, grit and filth... refreshing, necessary and compelling' * The Theatre Talk *'A hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedy, which at the same time punches you straight in the gut... eye opening, heart-warming and deliciously funny... a wonderfully written, clever, witty stage play' * North West End *'Bold, brave and brilliant... a truly vital piece of theatre that everyone should see' * Frankly My Dear *'Hilarious and heart-breaking... It is truly refreshing to see a fleshed-out disabled main character who is allowed to be complex and flawed and human... captivating' * I Love Manchester *

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Book SynopsisSophie is about to become a single mum – a third-generation one – and she's terrified. How will she afford to feed her baby? Or a Deluxe Snuggle Pod? Can she hold on to her job? What if she's crap at parenthood? Surely she can count on her own mum and nan to help... Except her mum's got used to having a life of her own, and doesn't fancy giving up pole-dancing class and Tinder to go back to changing nappies and no sleep. Meanwhile, fresh out of hospital with a broken leg, her nan's having a three-quarter-life crisis of her own. From slammed doors to living-room karaoke, Lydia Marchant's play Mumsy is a sparky, soulful comedy drama about the highs and lows of motherhood. It premiered at Hull Truck Theatre in March 2023. Trade Review'A brilliant bittersweet comedy with plenty of ribald humour... Without sermonising, Marchant demonstrates the impact of a decade of Tory austerity amid a cost of living crisis... It's a skill to write across generations like this... Marchant's play is a bundle of joy' * Guardian *'A striking debut... beautifully balanced between comedy and tragedy... a tender exploration of the power of connection and perseverance' * The Stage *'Raw, real and utterly Northern... as homely and refreshing as a mug of Yorkshire Tea' * Reviews Hub *'Masterful... whip-crack funny... a play with a huge heart... a brilliant piece of theatre' * Hull Is This *

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Book Synopsis'Maybe it's in the air. Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it's the pace of life. Maybe it's breathing in that black soot everyday on the tube. Maybe it's commuting. Maybe it's the cultural consciousness. Maybe it's being a millennial. Maybe it's the climate crisis. Maybe it's the patriarchy.' When 'intimidating' Rachel and eternal 'nice guy' Nick meet at an awkward work Christmas party, what was meant to be a one-night-stand becomes a sexual odyssey of self-discovery… and mutual destruction. Adrift, isolated and insecure, they scramble for new ways to connect. Can some playful, passionate pegging provide a pathway through the pitfalls of modern relationships and present the possibility of a deeper bond? A penetrating comedy about the search for sexual knowledge, true love and top-notch Tupperware, Lisa Carroll's play The Misandrist was first produced by Metal Rabbit Productions at the Arcola Theatre, London, in May 2023. Trade Review'A witty dramedy that explores the contemporary search for intimacy... portrays male vulnerability exceptionally well... The writing is delightfully caustic and acerbic... precise, political, unforgiving... unceasingly entertaining' * Broadway World *'Funny and frank... revelling in its exuberance and the celebration of sexuality... there's a great energy to the show and it offers plenty of saucy humour' * Reviews Hub *'A no-holds-barred insight into contemporary relationships, laced with sharp lines and dark humour... a zeitgeisty play that shows great promise, and confirms Carroll as a writer to watch' * WhatsOnStage *'Powerful with some very funny lines... has attitude to spare' * Time Out *'A smart, passionate and deeply knotty relationship dramedy... alive with warmth and wit... refreshingly transgressive... the writing has a real jagged edge... lays bare the many complications of modern life' * Lost in Theatreland *

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Book Synopsis'A woman. On the line in Gallery Two of all places. I never thought I'd see the day. This is progress, my dear.' It's 1874, and Elizabeth Thompson stuns the artistic establishment with her painting The Roll Call. Five years later, she falls two votes short of becoming the first woman elected to the Royal Academy. In between, she shoulders the hopes and dreams of female artists across the country, while fighting for her place at a table full of top hats, neckties and mutton chop beards. A thrilling collision of music hall, cabaret and drag king swagger, Modest tells the true story of a pioneering megastar of the Victorian art scene. Written by Ellen Brammar and with music by Rachel Barnes, it was first produced in 2023 by Middle Child in collaboration with Milk Presents at Hull Truck Theatre before touring.Trade Review'A rollicking piece of gig theatre... a show that bubbles over with charisma... it has a fabulous drag king aesthetic and fringe energy, throwing in plenty of raunchiness, satire and poppy interludes... Brammar's script shines in its humour... it never fails to amuse' * Guardian *'Exceptional... a potent mix of drag, searing comedy, indignant fury and tenderness... a raucous cabaret [that] is a forensic evisceration of staid "respectability"' * The Stage *'A quick-witted, bawdy, diamond in the rough' * Time Out *'Fast-paced and funny... a story that deserves to be told' * British Theatre Guide *'A play that delivers punch after punch... hugely pleasurable watch' * WhatsOnStage *'Energetic and empowering' * Theatre Weekly *'A remarkable true story that is just as relevant today... there are brilliant quips relating to women's rights, which make for an entertaining performance' * Drama & Theatre Magazine *

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Book Synopsis'Hope? Hope, is that you?' Years and years ago, Hope disappeared. Now, she's back. To find something she left behind. But in the People's Republic of Koka Kola – a world of dwindling resources, corruption and corporate giants – what happens to Hope? A surreal and frenetic quest through a hyper-capitalist country, Tom Fowler's play Hope has a Happy Meal premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London, in June 2023, directed by Lucy Morrison, in a co-production with SISTER.Trade Review'A theatrical spectacle... Fowler's writing zips off the page' * WhatsOnStage *'A poignant, offbeat satire that unfolds with the daft, disjointed logic of a dream, full of sudden, unlikely plot twists and surreal asides' * The Stage *'Tom Fowler is a writer with a knack for comedy... Hope Has a Happy Meal is part Thelma and Louise, part reverse-Wizard of Oz, balancing wit and nightmares' * Guardian *'A surreal pleasure... Fowler's writing has an instantly appealing brightness and energy... a humorously lurid vision, with powerfully articulated emotions' * Arts Desk *'A surreal, engrossing satire on a world where big brands own everything... Fowler's playfully dark humour hits the spot' * Time Out *'Funny, exciting and well-written' * Reviews Hub *'Sparks with peppery wit, with an unapologetically sui generis sense of surreal black humour and plenty of humanity' * Broadway World *

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Book Synopsis'What if I look down at my baby and I don't know who they are? Just some… entity. Alien to me. Staring back. A nothing. Or worse, look down and all I see is Ed Sheeran.' Two couples each invite a stranger into their homes in the hope of sparking new life. Instead, they find themselves threatened by invasion, alienation and abduction… Louis Emmitt-Stern's uncanny and razor-sharp sci-fi comedy-drama I Fucked You in My Spaceship received a sold-out premiere at VAULT Festival 2023, winning the Origins Award for Outstanding New Work. It subsequently transferred to Soho Theatre, London.Trade Review'Louis Emmitt-Stern is a rising star playwright' * Time Out *'Humour and heartbreak in a play about relationships that cleverly riffs on themes of invasion and abduction... commendably fresh and candid' * Lost in Theatreland *'Wickedly funny... an initially far-fetched premise that becomes less ridiculous as it progresses... an absolute triumph' * All That Dazzles *

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Book Synopsis'We can be strong. We can be loud. We can be brutal. And if it makes people uncomfortable? Good.' Five wildly different women gather in the muddy fields of the Highland Games circuit to compete in the obscure art of Backhold Wrestling. Can bold beginners Imogen, Chantelle, Jo, Pamela and Helen transform themselves into a team and win the championship? Or will their differences sabotage them, and send them face-planting into the mud? The pearls are off, influencer videos posted and 'Gucci' bags from the Barras Market set aside. This is it. Hold on tight. A poignant, dynamic exploration of belonging and identity, Nat McCleary's play Thrown opened in 2023 at Victoria Hall, Dunblane, directed by Johnny McKnight, before embarking on a Scottish tour which culminated in a run at the Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh International Festival.Trade Review'A brave and vivid Scottish play that tackles the fraught politics of identity through the prism of wrestling... the powerful story of five women struggling to understand and support one another in a divisive world... fast, smart and funny' * Scotsman *'A heart and soul depiction of five women of today holding on for dear life' * The Herald *'A stunning, gripping play about the complexities of identity and place – has the audience hooked from the start' * Time Out *'Punchy and perceptive... McCleary's play has a huge heart' * The Stage *'Funny and touching... Each character is well-fleshed out and complex... It's surprisingly emotional and manages to cover a lot of story in a short space of time' * Broadway World *'Enormous fun... full of lively, energetic dialogue ... grappling with the complications of race, nationality, and identity in a modern Scotland... McCleary is good at humour, and she also has a sharp ability to tackle issues head on... effortlessly telling' * WhatsOnStage *'A funny and engaging play that grips you in a wrestler’s hold and never lets go' * Broadway Baby *'Wonderful... marvellously spirited... a nuanced picture of contemporary Scottish society... a must-see' * The Skinny *'Funny and scary and provocative, with an elegant and thoughtful script' * British Theatre Guide *

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Book Synopsis'If you not give elephant proper burial he'll haunt you forever.' They call him Mlima, the mountain – a magnificent elephant slaughtered by poachers for his tusks. Beginning in a game park in Kenya, we follow the trajectory of the tusks through the international ivory-trade market, while Mlima's spirit is close behind, marking all those complicit in his barbaric death. Lynn Nottage's play Mlima's Tale is a thought-provoking, heart-wrenching, rage-inducing portrait of humankind's capacity for corruption and greed, and our continued destruction of the natural world. It was first produced at The Public Theater, New York City, in 2018, and received its British premiere at Kiln Theatre, London, in 2023, directed by Miranda Cromwell.Trade Review'A beautiful, endlessly echoing portrait of a murder and its afterlife. Ms. Nottage shaped this story with such theatrical inventiveness and discipline that it never feels sensational… A finely wrought fusion of elements' -- Ben Brantley * New York Times *'Mlima's Tale, a haunting drama about avarice and ivory, offers a dramatic reminder that the majestic beasts endure things no living creature would want to recall… This lacerating and lyrical play leaves a mark' * New York Daily News *'Tightly crafted… Mlima's Tale is dedicated to excavating the gnarly human details behind the assault on one of the planet's most endangered animals' * Vulture *'An enthralling piece of theater that tells a fascinating story in a daringly original way… Riveting' * Wall Street Journal *'Clear, uncluttered, and hard-hitting… A play of rare beauty, rare understanding, and great moral power' * Hartford Courant *'Haunting and powerful... a play that jolts us awake' * The Times *'A wide-reaching and damning indictment of the ivory trade... Nottage's story encapsulates the complex struggles of conservation and the deep-rooted tentacles of corruption' * Guardian *'A brutal, beautiful experience... magical and deeply moving' * Evening Standard *'A brutal, devastating drama... simple but remarkable' * Telegraph *'A simple, powerful tale about the rape of Africa...exquisite and moving' * Arts Desk *'Punchy... a simple story... one of grace, care and properly deep sadness... Nottage's strength as a writer is that Mlima's silent presence is enough to make you enraged. No words are wasted here – she doesn't need them to be' * Time Out *'Thought-provoking and haunting... the genius of Nottage's script is that it compactly illustrates – without polemical oversimplification nor overcomplication – how competing urges for status, art, power, love, family and survival interconnect to form haunting tragedy again and again across ancient trade routes and alliances... an emotionally and sensorially immersive experience' * LondonTheatre1 *'Hypnotic... mesmerises from beginning to end' * Theatre Weekly *'Powerful and urgent, with a brutal, poetic and eye-opening script' * Broadway World *

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Book SynopsisIt used to be a magnificent opera house, its stage graced by the leading sopranos and tenors of the age. Now the only divas at the Grand Old Opera House Hotel are the ones checking-in, there are fist fights in the lobby, and there's scarcely a romantic hero to be found. When shy Aaron joins the hotel's inharmonious team, he's faced with emotionally volatile guests, apathetic staff and management that doesn't have a clue. Not to mention the rumour of singing ghosts haunting the corridors. But through all the madness, one voice stands out, capturing his ears and his heart – and Aaron must go into battle with the hotel's magical chaos to find out the truth. An uplifting ensemble comedy, Isobel McArthur's The Grand Old Opera House Hotel is a story of art bringing us together in hopeless circumstances, to the tune of some of the most popular opera songs ever written. It premiered at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, during the Festival in August 2023, with Dundee Rep Theatre, directed by Gareth Nicholls. It was the recipient of an Edinburgh Fringe First Award.Trade Review'A gloriously funny one-off... a remarkably inventive, uproariously witty comedy that springs one audacious surprise after another' * The Times *'Brilliant... nothing less than a pure and heartfelt boy-meets-girl romantic comedy, inspired by the rapturous power of great music... the sharpest kind of social criticism and wisecracking satire... a wild and sometimes beautiful farce... an absolute joy' * Scotsman *'Glorious... a gag-filled, head-spinning operatic comedy... an idiosyncratic romp as formally adventurous as it is extravagantly funny' * Guardian *'Exceptional... wildly original... richly comic and clever... an uproarious show with a vein of melancholy... I really loved it' * WhatsOnStage *'Completely unpredictable and wonderfully farcical' * Broadway World *'An ambitious and buoyant love story... a genuine delight' * Fest Mag *'Joyously theatrical, utterly surreal... There are few people in theatre today who are kookier — or more touched by genius — than Isobel McArthur, the hottest thing in Scottish theatre, and possibly the UK' * Daily Mail *'Bravo... a barn-storming production... There are twists and turns, serial misunderstandings, comic interludes (one scene has the woman in front of me howling with laughter) and pauses for McArthur to take potshots at everything from management speak to the prevalence of social media... one of the hits of the Fringe' * The Herald *'Clever and hysterically funny, with McArthur’s signature anarchy and inventiveness' * Reviews Hub *'The funniest show I’ve seen for years... a hit, a palpable hit!' * Edinburgh Music Review *

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Book Synopsis'We'll start with the flea, because that's as good a place as any...' July 1889, London. A flea bites a rat. A rat spooks a horse. A horse kicks a man. As the chain reaction continues, a boy and his mother find themselves swept up in a national scandal that will reshape both their lives – and the country. James Fritz's play The Flea is a retelling of the Cleveland Street Scandal that shook England – from the streets of Bermondsey to the halls of Buckingham Palace – and features a flea, a horse, a detective, a queen, a pimp, a god, and Charlie, the telegraph boy who knelt before the Crown. This anarchic and affecting play was first performed at The Yard Theatre, London, in October 2023, directed by Artistic Director Jay Miller. 'There are few playwrights working in Britain today whose work is as slick and unsettling as James Fritz's' Exeunt 'Fritz's work pairs structural playfulness with emotional intelligence and inky wit... his plays are contained and compassionate, and frequently find reservoirs of humour in places you wouldn't expect' The Stage Trade Review'Gloriously anarchic... a coked-up joyride of a satire which not so much pokes fun at, but hacks and slashes hierarchical English society to shreds... a bona fide blast' * Broadway World *'Exuberant in its ambition... The story provides rich pickings for James Fritz, one the UK's most interesting playwrights' * Guardian *'Wildly imaginative... a gleeful, dressing-up box takedown of the hypocrisies and privileges of the wealthy... a wildly entertaining tale that also lands some serious points about institutional corruption, abuse and impossible choices' * The Stage *'Absurdly funny... a unique piece of satirical Queer Victoriana' * Theatre Weekly *'A rollicking script... rambunctiously good... has an originality and rawness that compels... ambitious, imaginative, and unashamedly unfettered by convention' * WhatsOnStage *'Mischievous, searching, gloriously surreal... Fritz [is] certainly one the most boundary-pushing playwrights of today... a riotous, quirky ride' * Time Out *'A triumph... delivers everything you would expect from a period drama, and a lot of absurd and stylish things that you wouldn't... Sensitively conceived but hilarious, The Flea offers its audience a good laugh and a punch to the stomach' * Reviews Hub *

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Book SynopsisMALAPROP Theatre is an award-winning collective of Irish theatremakers, who seek to challenge, delight and speak to the world we live in (even when imagining different ones). This volume brings together four of their bold, playful and genre-spanning plays, all premiered at the Dublin Fringe Festival between 2017 and 2023. In Everything Not Saved, ex-lovers argue about when they were happiest, police officers rewrite history, and Rasputin dances like no one’s watching. Oh, and also the Queen is there. Before You Say Anything questions how everyone can be safe at the same time. A time-travelling set of interweaving stories exploring injustice, freedom and bravery. Where Sat the Lovers is about codes, hallucinations, Isaac Newton, war crimes, seeing meaning where there's none and vice versa. In an age of misinformation, how do you know if you know the right things? HOTHOUSE tackles climate breakdown with big ideas, a lot of laughs, and some truly grotesque cabaret numbers. Cruise ships, horny/murderous songbirds, fecund/fatalistic rabbits, loving/bruising parents and Minnie Riperton all make an appearance in this play with songs, which asks if things can ever get better. MALAPROP Theatre are Carys D. Coburn, John Gunning, Breffni Holahan, Molly O'Cathain, Maeve O'Mahony, Claire O'Reilly and Carla Rogers. 'MALAPROP have quickly distinguished themselves as one of Ireland's most exciting emerging companies' Ruth McGowan, Director, Dublin Fringe Festival (2018-23) 'A company of real ambition. One which is using theatrical form to grapple with the complexities of a world where the ground is constantly shifting beneath our feet and where what we believe can be recalibrated not just on a daily basis but minute by minute' Lyn Gardner, Stage Door 'Reminiscent of early Caryl Churchill... this is thinking theatre at its best' Irish IndependentTrade Review'[HOTHOUSE is] deadly serious and wildly funny... a sharp, nuanced script that rips along... Malaprop pulls it off with skill, style and substance' * Irish Times *'[Before You Say Anything is] subtle, timely and beautifully paced… riveting' * Irish Times *

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Book Synopsis1917: World War One is raging in Europe. In Britain, Sterling Ladies – known as the Dagenham Invincibles – are playing to win. For two whirlwind seasons, they never lose a game. Yet once peace is restored, the factory girls must hang up their boots and see triumph fade into obscurity. 2023: Injured footballer Maya follows England's progress through the Women's World Cup. The world has changed, yet the roar of the Lionesses echoes the Invincibles' war-cry. Watching at home, Maya fears she'll never play again – but as she loses herself in the present, she hears the call of the past and finds fresh hope for the future. Amanda Whittington's play The Invincibles celebrates two generations of inspirational women, and their adventures on the football pitch a century apart. It was premiered at Queen's Theatre Hornchurch in 2023, and offers rich opportunities for other theatre companies looking to score a hit with their audiences.Trade Review'A feisty football drama that lends perspective to the rise of women's football... packed with light and shade... The beauty of Whittington's play is that it allows the human stories to flourish behind the football history lesson' * The Stage *'Heartwarming and skilful... a touching story of sporting brilliance against the odds... eye opening and exciting' * Everything Theatre *'Entertaining and informative, with lots of heart' * British Theatre Guide *

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Book Synopsis'The supernatural is possible and the impossible is natural and life teeters on the edge of the unreal’ Malachi's been looking forward to a fresh start at uni for months. He's settling in, he's got a stack of books to read and he's met someone new – Kojo, a musician with a megawatt smile, who's basically perfect. But something doesn't feel right. He keeps having the same nightmare – sinking, crushed by the weight of the ocean – and it's getting worse… A beast grows in the water, hungry, relentless, hunting him but always just out of sight. As the boundaries between nightmare and reality fracture, Malachi must fight harder than ever to stay afloat. Kwame Owusu's play Dreaming and Drowning is an intimate and visceral deep-dive into the boundless mind of a young Black queer man wrestling with anxiety. It won the Mustapha Matura Award, was shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award, and was one of the winning plays in the RSC's 37 Plays competition. It was first performed at the Bush Theatre, London, in November 2023, directed by the playwright, performed by Tienne Simon, and produced by WoLab.Trade Review'Phenomenal... an arresting and songlike monologue... Owusu [is one] of the best, freshest and most agile talents of the year' * Time Out *'Wonderfully life-enhancing... punchy and richly imaginative... delivers a double hit of theatrical dopamine... witty, contemporary and at times compellingly poetic... a fleet, gripping piece of storytelling... a little gem... a must-see for anybody interested in fine new writing' * WhatsOnStage *'A visceral but lyrical look at anxiety and acceptance' * Guardian *'A joyful play that will leave you hopeful... funny, well-paced, and engaging' * LondonTheatre1 *'Pithy, poetic, and viscerally evocative' * Reviews Hub *'One part truthful queer coming-of-age story, one part psychological horror, this engaging monologue takes an appealingly offbeat approach to themes of racism, anxiety and self-discovery... tautly paced and tightly written... laced with warm humour' * The Stage *'A gem... an intense experience... terrific' * Arts Desk *'An exceptionally fine play... a startling portrait of human frailty that radiates authenticity and compassion' * Everything Theatre *'Beautifully crafted... powerfully reinstates the urgency of storytelling in the formation of identity. Poetry, campus life and comedy blend into an emotionally moving concoction, exploring a black, queer student’s experience with great skill' * Theatre Weekly *'Engrossing... a relatable drama with copious laughs along the way... Owusu has a gift for effortlessly blending colloquial and accessible dialogue with the more poetic... This is a multi-layered piece with a great deal condensed into just an hour' * The Upcoming *

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Book SynopsisPoland, 1949. Zula is bold and brilliant, a singer who ignites the stage. Wiktor is withdrawn and damaged, a composer longing to write. Irresistibly drawn to each other, they dream of escape. But in Communist-controlled Poland, the desire for freedom can be a dangerous thing. Based on the film by Academy Award winner Paweł Pawlikowski, Cold War is an epic love story spanning the decades and breadth of Europe at its most divided, and a compelling story of passion, redemption, and the journey to be free. This stage adaptation by Conor McPherson was first performed at the Almeida Theatre, London, in November 2023, directed by Rupert Goold, and featuring traditional Polish songs alongside music by Elvis Costello.Trade Review'One of the best plays of 2023... superlatively resonant... a small but mighty piece... simply exquisite' * iNews *'Bewitching... a lush tender play with joy as well as trauma... The script by Conor McPherson stays close to Paweł Pawlikowski's original and finds a truly theatrical, darkly witty character of its own' * The Times *'A triumph' * Telegraph *'An exquisitely sad love story, brilliantly translated to the stage' * Evening Standard *'Beautiful... a swooning adaptation... like a sad, smokey late-night cabaret performance in a faded old bar: there's a glamour to it but it's intimate, warm and nocturnal... it really is a lovely show' * Time Out *'Gloriously melancholic... an almost tangible sense of pain and half-concealed emotion... an unusual and original show, one that haunts you long after you leave the theatre, its essential sadness sweetened by tinges of hope and a deep humanity' * WhatsOnStage *'Compelling and bittersweet... a fine adaptation... a gift of no ordinary kind' * Arts Desk *'Brilliant. I need to see it again' * British Theatre Guide *

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Book Synopsis'Feel the rhythms Of your own heartbeat As I tell you a story My story' A woman, shaken by a broken relationship, finds herself discovering love in the last place – and with the last person – she ever expected. Based on Jade Anouka's own experience, and told through poetry, HEART is a raw and honest exploration of love, loss and self-discovery, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit and the beauty of human connection. It was first performed by Anouka herself, as an Audible Original audio play, before being presented on stage at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and Brixton House in London. This edition of the play also includes a selection of the author's poems.Trade Review'A clear-sighted show delivered in the flush of love' * Guardian *'Extra special... There's something for everyone in this hour-long play, and it's well worth taking the time out to make this connection' * Broadway World *'A refreshingly bouncy show that brims with swagger… a dynamic debut' * The Stage *'Poignant... braided with sincerity and heartache... electrifyingly raw' * Time Out *'Powerful, beautiful and full of hope' * Theatre Mania *'I couldn't help feeling envious of her way with words – it has to be seen and heard to be believed' * LondonTheatre1 *'Heart-wrenching... striking and richly felt... Bold, insightful, and unafraid to be afraid, Jade Anouka and HEART are the real deal' * All That Dazzles *'Generous and hopeful... Falling in love is the oldest story in the book, although it feels new and alive when Anouka tells it' * Reviews Hub *'Lyrical, punchy and powerful storytelling masterpiece' * Creative Reviews UK *'[Anouka's] narrative resonates like a modern fairy tale' * North West End *'The real joy of HEART is the words, and these – part iambic pentameter, part rap – have been masterfully crafted and presented by Anouka' * INTO More (New York) *

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Book SynopsisA chillingly Kafkaesque world where nothing is quite as it seems, and where office politics can lead to unlawful questioning, torture and even murder… Afra has decided to make a complaint. She is certain that her grievance is legitimate: she is perfectly clear about her rights. And she has no intention of giving up until she has some satisfaction. Nick Whitby's play The Complaint was first performed at Hampstead Theatre, London, in May 2012.Trade Review'Some great lines, surprising twists and turns... packs a punch' * The Guardian blog (reader reviews) *'Scarily plausible… a thought-provoking ninety minutes of witty drama' * Monkey Matters Theatre Reviews *

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Book SynopsisThe mayfly hatches in the morning, mates in the afternoon, dies at night: a lot can happen in a day. A family searches for new beginnings: Ben thinks they might be better off without him, but his wife Cat has read her stars: `Today a very special person will appear from out the blue’. Their daughter Loops is getting ready for a date. It’s her first one, and she has everything crossed. People think that cos you’re from a small village, everyone will know you. But we can still go missing. Even out here. An ethereal family drama, Joe White’s debut play Mayfly explores rebirth in the aftermath of tragedyTrade Review'This debut play crackles with unforced humour… White has the assurance of an Ayckbourn in saddling apparently 'ordinary' people with big problems and emotions, thus proving how far from ordinary they are, and he juggles tone and pacing like a veteran… a seriously promising start' * The Times *'A triumph… a delicate and tender examination of rural isolation and familial grief' * Evening Standard *'A show tinged with loss and a longing for past glories… for all the simmering emotion, however, it's not a maudlin piece; there's a surprising amount of laughs and Joe White's script delicately moves conversation from touching moment to humorous awkward exchange, each scene crafted to move the action of the day forward in a quirky but believable way' * British Theatre Guide *'A heartbreakingly funny debut… this is a tender and wise play suffused with grief and absence that scratches at the fragility of our existence and asks how we keep alive our memories of those we have lost. It's a play about people consumed by misery yet it is unexpectedly funny and – like its dented, broken characters – always likable' * Guardian *'Illuminates the darkness and longing of the loss of a loved one... it's also brilliantly funny. Even in the play's darkest moments, there are laugh-out-loud lines' * WhatsOnStage *'White has an ability to switch between sharp wit and pathos in a heartbeat... an impressive debut from a very promising writer' * Broadway World *'An affecting debut play... White has a great ear for the sharp and sometimes spiteful edges of grief' * Time Out *'A special play... there is an honesty to White's writing, and a willingness to put his heart on the line' * Exeunt Magazine *

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Book SynopsisSimone and Sam will do anything to get their daughter into the local Church of England school. Juliet and Nick agree to show them the ropes. The bonds of family, faith and friendship are stretched to breaking-point as four forty-somethings wrestle for school places. Alexis Zegerman's acerbic new comedy Holy Sh!t is the opening production at London's newly refurbished Kiln Theatre (formerly the Tricycle Theatre).Trade Review'Has bags of energy and attack… Zegerman has a sharp eye for middle-class hypocrisy' * Guardian *'Well-crafted… an angry play for an angry age' * The Times *'This astringent comedy is provocatively topical' * Independent *'The jokes exude a powerful tang of truth, and there are moments of deep emotion that bring tears to your eyes… what turns this light comedy of manners into something darker, more emotive and more interesting, is Zegerman’s willingness to explore not only belief, but also prejudice' * The Arts Desk *'Extremely funny' * Time Out *

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Book Synopsis‘I’ll tell you what I really want. I want to jump clean out of my brain.’ Essie's lost her job. Her girlfriend's left. But she's alright. Except lately she feels more like a chair than a person. One of those folding chairs. Solid one minute. And then. Margaret Perry's play Collapsible is a funny, furious monologue about holding on in this collapsing world. It was premiered at the 2019 VAULT Festival, London, where it won the Origins Award for Outstanding New Work. It transferred to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Dublin Fringe Festival in 2019 (winning the Fishamble New Writing Award), and the Bush Theatre, London, in 2020, in a co-production between Ellie Keel Productions and HighTide.Trade Review'Unequivocally an outstanding piece of theatre. It cuts through stereotypical representations of those suffering with poor mental health, hitting on the raw, painful truth' * A Younger Theatre *'Perry's writing is sharp... a modern Beckettian cry for help' * Guardian *'Luminescent and often startling... Perry writes with clarity and insight about mental unravelling and she achieves a wonderful balancing act' * The Stage *

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Book Synopsis‘Iago only suspected it. I know.’ Celebrated actor, singer and political campaigner Paul Robeson is touring the United States of America as Othello. His Desdemona is the brilliant young actress Uta Hagen. Her husband, the Broadway star José Ferrer, plays Iago. The actors are all friends, but they are not all equals. As the tour progresses, onstage passions and offstage lives begin to blur. Revenge takes many forms and in post-war America it isn't always purely personal – it can be disturbingly political too. Based on true events, Nicholas Wright's play 8 Hotels was first staged at the Minerva Theatre, Chichester, in 2019, in a production directed by Richard Eyre.Trade Review'Packed with intense passions... intelligent entertainment' * Broadway World *'Elegantly provocative, alive with wiry delicacy' * Independent *'Compelling' * WhatsOnStage *'A fascinating slice of American theatrical and political history, which Wright has richly mined for its interconnections... ingenious' * Exeunt Magazine *'Explores with great subtlety the complexities of an infernal triangle' * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis anthology, the fifth from Nick Hern Books, comprises five of the best plays from VAULT Festival 2020, London's biggest and most exciting arts festival. Something Awful by Tatty Hennessy is a thrilling play inspired by the true-crime story of the Slenderman. Soph and her best friend Jel love scary stories and hunt for the best online. But then new girl Ellie turns up at school with one of her own. Second Home by Charlotte Chimuanya explores the experiences of growing up mixed-race in twenty-first century Ireland. Naomi is trying to mend her broken heart. But will tackling grief and racism in a place she calls home prove to be the final betrayal? Madame Ovary by Rosa Hesmondhalgh tells the heartbreaking and hilarious true story of Rosa's own ovarian cancer. This five-star sell-out Edinburgh hit is a life-affirming monologue exploring the typical struggles of staying relevant, with the less typical struggles of staying alive. Take Care by Zoë Templeman-Young and Sam McLaughlin follows the real-life story of Pam, a woman struggling to move her mother into a care home that's closer to her. An award-winning Edinburgh smash, it is an astonishing, tragic and uplifting verbatim play about the care system in the UK today. Heroes by Isabel Dixon is a poignant exploration of fallen idols, family secrets and the human price of forgiveness. Set across two timelines, it is the tense and sensitive story of a family torn apart by an unforgiveable act.

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Book SynopsisThe astonishing women involved in the Actresses Franchise League set up their own theatre companies and engaged with the battle for the vote by writing and performing campaigning plays all over the country. They launched themselves onto the political stage with their satirical plays, sketches and monologues whilst at the same time challenging the staid conventions of the Edwardian Theatre of the day. The legacy of their inspiring work to change both theatre and society has survived in the political theatre, agitprop and verbatim theatre we know today. Introduced and set in an historical context by Dr Susan Croft together with a chronology of suffrage drama.Trade Review"This book is brilliant - it has some better known Suffrage Plays and some lesser known gems as well as a list of all the Suffrage plays performed and lots of extra info. It's an extraordinary resource. Total gem. The author wears her scholarship lightly and it is easy to read - however the amount of information is fantastic and very detailed. There is so much to this book and it is an essential and much needed addition to the books available on Suffrage theatre. "- NP Amazon ***** 5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent addition to the collections of Suffragette plays 2 Sept. 2016 By Angus Hepburn - Published on Amazon.com Format: Paperback Verified Purchase "An excellent collection with lots of background information and references. Some duplications with other collections, but the pieces exclusive to this collection and the extremely informative author and historical background pieces make this well worth while."Table of ContentsIntroduction 7 Votes for Women (1907) 21 A Change of Tenant (1908) 107 At the Gates (1909) 121 How the Vote was Won (1909) 141 The Apple (1911) 167 In the Workhouse (1911) 193 Jim’s Leg (1913) 209 Chronology 216 Bibliography 239 Universal Suffrage dates 245 Useful links 255

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Book SynopsisOriginal by Arthur Ransome Adapted by Nick Wood Father is away and mother brings Roger, John, Susan and Titty to stay at Pin Mill where they can spend the summer messing about in boats. Their adventure begins when they go out with Jim on his boat Goblin. But disaster strikes when the boat is becalmed and Jim goes ashore to fetch petrol. Fog descends over the Harwich estuary and, as the tide turns, the boat begins to drift away ...Trade Review“There is a nice sense of period about these kids coping on their own under extraordinary, but quite believable circumstances, lisle pullovers and plimsolls at the ready but the human anguish between them is universal and timeless, although there are lots of laughs on the way, too. Highly recommended.” The Stage

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Book Synopsis• This manic farce explores the ideas of radical psychiatrist RD Laing on the 50th anniversary of the Philadelphia Association which he co-founded. • Ideas which were way ahead of their time about the treatment of those with mental health issues, have now been incorporated into everyday practice. • Produced by Stepping Out Theatre Company which aims to raise awarenesss of mental health in the UK.Trade Review“A magical mystery tour into the mind of RD Laing, Patrick Marmion keeps one foot in the past and one in the far-future to create a brilliantly imaginative, very funny play for today.” Leo Butler, playwright. “Fiercely intelligent and hugely entertaining.” Alistair Beaton, satirist and writer on Spitting Image. “Patrick Marmion never loses his masterly grip on his unruly subject's strategies to defeat his professional rivals and his personal nightmares.” Lloyd Trott, Dramaturg, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art

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Book SynopsisWhat happens when you want a different life to the one chosen for you? A story of desire, duty, deceit and revenge. An innovative re-telling of an ancient Welsh myth - Blodeuwedd from The Mabinogi - where nothing is quite as it seems. Rose cannot remember what came before the house at the edge of the isolated forest. Gwynne says he magicked her out of the flowers, but she's not so sure. She has played the part of the perfect farmer’s wife for Lewis, who is kept firmly in place by his uncle Gwynne, and accepted her lonely existence. Then a stranger is seen in the forest. What lengths will she go to, to escape the life chosen for her? Using a cross-art form approach, this beautiful piece of storytelling will feature live music, dance, video, theatricalised sign and surtitles.Trade Review“…This wonderful production should be seen by everyone...Kaite O'Reilly's script sparkles with her trademark wit and use of evocative language Sophie Stone is mesmerizing” Disability Arts Online “…captivating; Kaite O’Reilly’s play takes elements of ancient Welsh myth and splices them with something more contemporary and sinister.” The Stage “Lyn Gardner's Pick of the Week” The Guardian “…beautifully executed; an exciting play that featured clever design choices, powerful performances and a creeping, unsettling sense of claustrophobia and fear…” 4 stars.

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Book SynopsisAsif Khan's debut play is a fabulously comic take on the combustion surrounding young British Muslim lives. • Contemporary play about Northern Grooming scandal • Drama suitable for schools, colleges and youth theatres • By author who is a rising star among BBC writers • Asian Studies, Black and Asian interest • Recipient of 2 Off West End Award Nominations for Best Play and Best Supporting Actor • Nominated for an Asian Media Award and and Eastern Eye Award. • Asif Khan nominated for The Stage Debut AwardsTrade ReviewRECENT & UPCOMING WORK TARTUFFE - Royal Shakespeare Company Playing from 7 SEP 2018 to 23 FEB 2019, Swan Theatre, Stratford-Apon-Avon. ​ Molière’s classic is brought bang up to date in this brand new version by BAFTA and Emmy-Award winning writers, Anil Gupta and Richard Pinto (The Office, Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars at No. 42). Tartuffe has the gift of the gab. A spirituality. A certain aura about him….that comes only when you’ve got Allah on your side, hundreds of Twitter followers and access to the family’s bank account. Watch the lies and deceit unfold in this wickedly hilarious Brummy satire of faith, family and #fakingit. tartuffeposter.jpg More info about Tartuffe LOVE, BOMBS & APPLES by Hassan Abdulrazzak Click to see more This award-nominated returned this year and made it's US DEBUT at the POTRERO STAGE in SAN FRANCISCO (GoldenThread.org). ​ ★★★★★ A Younger Theatre ★★★★ The Stage​ ★★★★ LondonTheatre1​ ★★★★ Islington Gazette​ ★★★★ Carole Woddis ★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★ Commonspace ★★★★ Fest Mag ★★★★ Ed Festival Mag ★★★★ Fringe Guru ★★★★ Reviews Hub ★★★★ Manchester Theatre Awards ★★★★ For All Events San Francisco LOVE TYPE D - A new feature film by Sasha Collington Click to see more COMBUSTION by Asif Khan AIK Productions in association with Tara Arts Bradford, in the month of Ramadan. Latching on to the latest grooming scandal, racists plan to march through the city, while Shaz, a local garage mechanic, desperately tries to keep his business running smoothly so he can marry well. In this combustible atmosphere, his sister Samina is determined to make her voice heard. Bradford-born Asif Khan’s debut play is a comic take on the combustion surrounding young British Muslim lives in the North today. ​ Winner of BEST STAGE PRODUCTION at the Asian Media Awards 2017 and BEST PRODUCTION at the EASTERN EYE ARTS, CULTURE & THEATRE AWARDS 2018. ​ ​ Click to see more “★★★★ A brave, important and necessary play... If I were running the National, I’d pick up this play pronto to ensure it’s amplified further.” —The Telegraph ​ “★★★★ [Asif Khan's] debut outing as a playwright is impressive, bringing clarity and humour to dark and difficult material.” —The Stage ​ “★★★★ A triumph: a savagely funny, thought-provoking piece, which lingers long in the memory.” —The Peg ​ “★★★★ Asif Khan will be familiar to London audiences primarily as an actor, but in Combustion, he proves to be as adept a playwright as a performer.” —LondonTheatre1 ​ “★★★★★ Pure magic.” —Hiive

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Book SynopsisOne of the first Russian writers to make a name for herself on the Internet, Linor Goralik writes conversational short works that conjure the absurd, reflecting post-Soviet life and daily universals. Her mastery of the minimal is on full display in this collection of poems, stories, comics, a play, and an interview, translated for the first time.Trade ReviewFound Life will richly reward readers interested in short-form fiction and in the shifting landscape of contemporary Russian literature more generally, not to mention daily life in today’s Russia. -- James H. McGavran III * Translation and Literature *By turns entertaining, quixotic and unnerving, this sampling of the prolific writer’s many voices and styles is something you will want to leave lying around to dip into when you have a spare moment, or just before nodding off to bed, to seed your dreamscape. * Russian Life *The most engaging pieces, despite their brevity, require concentration, but whatever your attention span, you'll be rewarded by miniatures such as this: 'The signature taste of a gun barrel.' -- Anna Aslanyan * Times Literary Supplement *A welcome collection from a writer worth hearing more from—so translators get busy. * Kirkus Reviews *Linor Goralik is a Renaissance woman of our own day, writing (and drawing!) in a wide range of genres, all with sharp intelligence. Her writing is fresh and thought-provoking, with both profound insight and deadpan humor. The numerous translators allow exploration of different aspects of Goralik’s voice, so that this selection of work offers the reader a wonderful variety and versatility. A beautiful and important book! -- Sibelan Forrester, Swarthmore CollegeLinor Goralik has a perfect ear for the wander and wonder of ordinary speech, for the way the weirdness of human language conveys the weirdness of human experience. In turn hilarious and heart-rending, her fictions and poems bristle with epiphanies, with jolts of comprehension and, just as commonly, of vertiginous incomprehension. A literary descendant of Daniil Kharms, the conceptualists, and Chekhov, this transnational writer-ventriloquist describes a world of multiple realities, including that of the supernatural, but she is also painstakingly precise in her depictions of male and female behavior in post-Soviet space. The editors and translators are to be praised for, among many other things, finding the idiomatic and colloquial American English to convincingly express the alive Russian of the original. -- Eugene Ostashevsky, author of The Pirate Who Does Not Know the Value of PiGoralik remains a key figure in post-Soviet literature and culture due to her omnivorous referentiality and intertextuality, her deployment of detail, her absurdist, jarring wit, and her ability to construct tiny, perfect vignettes out of everyday scraps of language . . . Found Life is a strong introduction to a writer representing an important thread of contemporary Russophone literature and culture. -- Anne O. Fisher * The Russian Review *Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: PoetryPart II: ComicsPart III: TheaterPart IV: Short ProseExcerpts from Biblical ZooFound LifeIn Short: Ninety-One Rather Short StoriesSomething Like That (A War Story)The Blind EyePart V: Longer ProseAgatha Goes HomeValerii: A Short NovelPart VI: “Everyone Reads the Text That’s in Their Own Head”

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Book SynopsisOne of the first Russian writers to make a name for herself on the Internet, Linor Goralik writes conversational short works that conjure the absurd, reflecting post-Soviet life and daily universals. Her mastery of the minimal is on full display in this collection of poems, stories, comics, a play, and an interview, translated for the first time.Trade ReviewFound Life will richly reward readers interested in short-form fiction and in the shifting landscape of contemporary Russian literature more generally, not to mention daily life in today’s Russia. -- James H. McGavran III * Translation and Literature *By turns entertaining, quixotic and unnerving, this sampling of the prolific writer’s many voices and styles is something you will want to leave lying around to dip into when you have a spare moment, or just before nodding off to bed, to seed your dreamscape. * Russian Life *The most engaging pieces, despite their brevity, require concentration, but whatever your attention span, you'll be rewarded by miniatures such as this: 'The signature taste of a gun barrel.' -- Anna Aslanyan * Times Literary Supplement *A welcome collection from a writer worth hearing more from—so translators get busy. * Kirkus Reviews *Linor Goralik is a Renaissance woman of our own day, writing (and drawing!) in a wide range of genres, all with sharp intelligence. Her writing is fresh and thought-provoking, with both profound insight and deadpan humor. The numerous translators allow exploration of different aspects of Goralik’s voice, so that this selection of work offers the reader a wonderful variety and versatility. A beautiful and important book! -- Sibelan Forrester, Swarthmore CollegeLinor Goralik has a perfect ear for the wander and wonder of ordinary speech, for the way the weirdness of human language conveys the weirdness of human experience. In turn hilarious and heart-rending, her fictions and poems bristle with epiphanies, with jolts of comprehension and, just as commonly, of vertiginous incomprehension. A literary descendant of Daniil Kharms, the conceptualists, and Chekhov, this transnational writer-ventriloquist describes a world of multiple realities, including that of the supernatural, but she is also painstakingly precise in her depictions of male and female behavior in post-Soviet space. The editors and translators are to be praised for, among many other things, finding the idiomatic and colloquial American English to convincingly express the alive Russian of the original. -- Eugene Ostashevsky, author of The Pirate Who Does Not Know the Value of PiGoralik remains a key figure in post-Soviet literature and culture due to her omnivorous referentiality and intertextuality, her deployment of detail, her absurdist, jarring wit, and her ability to construct tiny, perfect vignettes out of everyday scraps of language . . . Found Life is a strong introduction to a writer representing an important thread of contemporary Russophone literature and culture. -- Anne O. Fisher * The Russian Review *Table of ContentsIntroductionPart I: PoetryPart II: ComicsPart III: TheaterPart IV: Short ProseExcerpts from Biblical ZooFound LifeIn Short: Ninety-One Rather Short StoriesSomething Like That (A War Story)The Blind EyePart V: Longer ProseAgatha Goes HomeValerii: A Short NovelPart VI: “Everyone Reads the Text That’s in Their Own Head”

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Book SynopsisWorld War II veteran Hank Dunfield is about to turn one hundred years old. The staff at Ponderosa Pine Lodge have recruited Sarah, a young nursing student, to keep Hank safe, comfortable, and in the building while they plan a grand centenarian celebration. There's one problem: Hank doesn't want to live that long.Seemingly opposites, Hank and Sarah kindle a deep friendship. Sarah fears the future with multiple sclerosis will be even more isolated, difficult, and painful than the isolated, difficult, and painful present. Hank, a tail gunner during the Second World War, opens his heart to share the deep knowledge of fear, luck, and flying into battle he learned over his. combat missions. Sarah and Hank find strength in each other as they face their deepest fears.Based on interviews with veterans in Alberta seniors' homes and the skilled nurses who care for them, Flight Risk is the story of finding exactly who you need when you least expect it. An empathetic exploration of grief, friendship, and hope, this play asks what we lose when we ignore the knowledge of our elderly, challenges the way that we think about aging and death, and inspires a brighter, more compassionate future.

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Book SynopsisPart comedy, part thriller, part social critique, The Granny and the Heist (La estanquera de Vallecas) is the play with which José Luis Alonso de Santos reinvigorated the Spanish stage during a period of uncertainty upon the death of Francisco Franco and the end of theatre censorship. Premiered in 1981, it established Alonso de Santos as the most important playwright in Spain at a time when the country was emerging from decades of relative isolation from the rest of Europe.Set in a working class area of Madrid, the play tells the story of Leandro and Tocho, two out of work builders whose plan to rob a tobacconists goes awry due to the refusal of its owner, feisty grandmother Justa, to hand over the money. Barricading themselves in the shop as the forces of order arrive, the men take Justa and her granddaughter Ángeles hostage. In the stand-off that ensues, Alonso de Santos deftly interweaves tense excitement, comic banter and moments of great tenderness, eliciting our sympathy for the residents of the Vallecas neighbourhood, equally ignored by Spain’s nascent democracy as they had been under the dictatorship.This edition features Stuart Green’s facing page translation, as well as a critical introduction that provides readers with knowledge of the historical and cultural context in which the play was written and performed. The edition also includes an extensive collection of classroom activities especially designed by Lucy Meyer and Stuart Green to enable secondary school and university teachers to use the play, its translation and other authentic materials to teach a variety of linguistic and grammatical features of Spanish in all four skills areas in language learning.Table of ContentsIntroduction There’s no-one quite like Grandma 1 Vallecas: from village to neighbourhood and on stage 2 Plot summary 5 Alonso de Santos and the theatre of his time: playwriting and politics 7 La estanquera de Vallecas: a blend of sainete and the picaresque 13 Characters 20 Premiere(s): critical and commercial reaction 28 Notes on the translation 32 Acknowledgements 35 Translator's Note 35 Bibliography 36 La estanquera de Vallecas / The Granny and the Heist 39 Teaching Resources Introduction 138 Addressing any concerns 139 Teaching and learning objectives 140 Skills activities 142 Speaking 142 Listening 151 Reading 153 Writing 155 Research project 159 Performance 160 Lesson sequence 163 Entrevista con Beatriz Bergamín / Interview with Beatriz Bergamín 166 Transcriptions of videoclips 172 Photographs from the 1985 stage production 176 Sample student work 178 Answers to questions 189

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Book SynopsisPart comedy, part thriller, part social critique, The Granny and the Heist (La estanquera de Vallecas) is the play with which José Luis Alonso de Santos reinvigorated the Spanish stage during a period of uncertainty upon the death of Francisco Franco and the end of theatre censorship. Premiered in 1981, it established Alonso de Santos as the most important playwright in Spain at a time when the country was emerging from decades of relative isolation from the rest of Europe.Set in a working class area of Madrid, the play tells the story of Leandro and Tocho, two out of work builders whose plan to rob a tobacconists goes awry due to the refusal of its owner, feisty grandmother Justa, to hand over the money. Barricading themselves in the shop as the forces of order arrive, the men take Justa and her granddaughter Ángeles hostage. In the stand-off that ensues, Alonso de Santos deftly interweaves tense excitement, comic banter and moments of great tenderness, eliciting our sympathy for the residents of the Vallecas neighbourhood, equally ignored by Spain’s nascent democracy as they had been under the dictatorship.This edition features Stuart Green’s facing page translation, as well as a critical introduction that provides readers with knowledge of the historical and cultural context in which the play was written and performed. The edition also includes an extensive collection of classroom activities especially designed by Lucy Meyer and Stuart Green to enable secondary school and university teachers to use the play, its translation and other authentic materials to teach a variety of linguistic and grammatical features of Spanish in all four skills areas in language learning.Table of ContentsIntroduction There’s no-one quite like Grandma 1 Vallecas: from village to neighbourhood and on stage 2 Plot summary 5 Alonso de Santos and the theatre of his time: playwriting and politics 7 La estanquera de Vallecas: a blend of sainete and the picaresque 13 Characters 20 Premiere(s): critical and commercial reaction 28 Notes on the translation 32 Acknowledgements 35 Translator's Note 35 Bibliography 36 La estanquera de Vallecas / The Granny and the Heist 39 Teaching Resources Introduction 138 Addressing any concerns 139 Teaching and learning objectives 140 Skills activities 142 Speaking 142 Listening 151 Reading 153 Writing 155 Research project 159 Performance 160 Lesson sequence 163 Entrevista con Beatriz Bergamín / Interview with Beatriz Bergamín 166 Transcriptions of videoclips 172 Photographs from the 1985 stage production 176 Sample student work 178 Answers to questions 189

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Book SynopsisPublished here for the first time, Maura Laverty’s plays Liffey Lane, Tolka Row and A Tree in the Crescent are rooted in 1950s Dublin, its territories and enclaves. Teeming with the lives of the poor, the ambitious, the trapped and the struggling, the plays are moving, funny and vividly alive. They capture the capital in a state of transformation – reaching for modernisation while still enmired in stagnant class divisions, poor housing and narrow social values. Key to all three plays are questions of home, the lives of women and girls, and the impact of conservative government policies and church attitudes. Already a public figure in Irish life, and an influencer before her time through her fiction, cookery books and broadcasting, Laverty’s plays met with huge success when staged in 1951 and 1952 by Hilton Edwards of the Gate Theatre Company at Dublin’s Gaiety and Gate Theatres and on tour. Laverty’s trilogy is a significant and long-awaited part of the twentieth-century Irish theatrical canon. This volume presents the Trilogy, including a preface by Christopher Fitz-Simon, who knew and worked with Laverty. The editors’ introduction contextualises Laverty’s work and considers the theatrical values of the plays.Trade Review‘Maura Laverty bore vivid witness to newly independent Ireland in her journalism, broadcasting, cookery writing, novels for adults and children, and in the plays she wrote for the Gate Theatre in the 1950s. In publishing these three plays and providing valuable editorial commentary on them, Cathy Leeney and Deirdre McFeely have resurrected one brilliant writer’s perceptions of the problems, challenges, joys and sorrows of Dublin life in a decade of slow-burning social change.’ Caitriona Clear, Senior Lecturer in Modern Irish and European History, University of Galway‘Maura Laverty’s Dublin Trilogy was hugely popular when it premiered in Ireland in the 1950s. This landmark publication explains why, making these important plays available to a new generation of readers and theatre producers – while also providing a fascinating and comprehensive introductory essay that places these works in their social and theatrical contexts. The book’s overall impact is to retrieve the work of a writer who was celebrated in her own time, and who deserves to be better known in the present.’ Patrick Lonergan, Professor of Drama and Theatre Studies, University of Galway‘The trilogy is a significant and long-awaited part of the Irish theatrical canon.’ Books IrelandTable of ContentsPrefaceIntroduction: Maura Laverty’s Dublin TrilogyLiffey LaneTolka RowA Tree in the CrescentBibliography and Further Reading

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Book SynopsisWritten by acclaimed playwright and fiction writer Rosemary Jenkinson, Billy Boy is a fiery new play about Belfast bonfire builders. Aaron is looking after the biggest and most controversial "boney" in the East side of Belfast and is determined to fight the council’s ruling. The problem is, if he gets into any more trouble, he might have to pack his bags.

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Book SynopsisWhy Athena?I guess just like the goddess of strategic warfare and all that.In a New York City fencing club two warriors are ready to battle.Athena and Mary Wallace are training for the Junior Olympics. They practice together. They compete against each other. They spend their lives together. They wish they were friends.From award-winning playwright Gracie Gardner, following an acclaimed extended run in New York, comes a fierce coming-of-age comedy where two teenagers parry class, competition and power as they practice fencing and life. But only one will win - en garde.This edition was published to coincide with the UK premiere at The Yard in London in October 2022.Trade ReviewCritic’s Pick! A deadly serious comedy about ambition, success, and owning your superiority. In its delicate ferocity, it shows a playwright who is full-throttle funny and wise beyond her years. * New York Times *Wily and entertaining. * Village Voice *Smart, galvanising coming-of-age drama * Guardian *Athena’s strength is in its relatability. As is often the way with teenagers, the unlikely duo’s worlds are both small and all-encompassing. But as they advance and retreat from each other, in practice and beyond, you yearn for their bond to become long-lasting – even though, with such competition ahead of them, this seems an unlikely prospect. * The Stage *

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Book SynopsisThis vital anthology includes fresh translations of four of Paco Bezerra''s plays in one edited collection for the first time in English. Winner of the National Literary Drama Award in 2009 and the Calderon de la Barca Theatre Drama Prize for New Authors in 2007, Paco Bezerra has become one of the most lauded and essential voices in the Spanish theatrical scene. His works have received both critical and audience acclaim, and his plays have been performed throughout Europe, South America and Asia. In the four plays included in this volume, Bezerra addresses critical issues such as child abuse, racism and women's rights. And, in a manner common to all of his works, Bezerra continually explores how marginalization weaves into all aspects of human existence. Together with an edited introduction to Bezerra''s work and world, this collection offers a rare insight into contemporary Spanish theatre for performance and study.Table of ContentsIntroduction Translator's Notes Grooming - Grooming follows one middle-aged man and one young woman who meet in a park at night after flirting online. The man blackmails her with sensitive material from their online chats, but the tables soon turn, and it will be the young woman who entraps the man in a game where the playwright daringly explores the limits and consequences of paraphilias. Mr. Ye Loves Dragons - Mr. Ye Loves Dragons explores the issue of racism with four neighbors in a low-income building: a Chinese mother and her daughter and two Spanish women who believe the daughter is illegally hiding people in the basement. Lulú - In Lulú, Amancio, a widower, discovers the body of an unconscious, naked woman in the middle of a forest. He takes her to the home he shares with his two grown sons where tragedy will soon unravel. Bezerra’s retelling of the Lilith or Lulu’s myth abruptly changes when the woman addresses the audience and utters her real name: Lucía. I Die for I Die Not - One of Bezerra’s most recent works, I Die for I Die Not is an experimental dramatization of a woman whose story has been silenced and heavily manipulated by the powers-that-be; a women whose agency has been stolen by the respective hegemonic narrative that plagues the world to this day.

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Book Synopsis‘If the essence of drama is conflict, the crossing of wills, of culture versus barbarism, the Norwegians have a natural spring to tap into – and it is explosive.’ – Line Rosvoll, Artistic Director of the Norwegian Centre of New Playwriting, from her Introduction. The Oberon Anthology of Contemporary Norwegian Plays brings together a selection of exciting playwrights reflecting the breadth and vitality of Norwegian theatre’s booming new writing scene. Six plays, translated by Neil Howard and published for the first time in English, demonstrate a common willingness to push formal boundaries and to find new ways to tackle the universal experiences of the human condition; grief and loss, violence, manipulation, abuse and despair. Grief Work by Eirik Fauske; Kinder K by Kristofer Grønskag; A Remarkable Person by Pernille Dahl Johnsen; Time Without Books by Lene Therese Teigen; Why Not Before by Liv Heløe; Watching Shadows by Hans Petter Blad

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Book SynopsisImagine swapping places with a monster for day... A funny and thrilling play for children (aged 6+) about friendship and facing up to your fears. Ben has a BIG problemo. His best friend Vince has stolen his precious binoculars, his Dad is far, far away... oh, and there's a monster under his bed. But when Ben swaps places with the underbed monster, Ben's life - and his school - is turned inside out, and upside down. First presented as a staged reading in April 2008, at the John F Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington D.C, USA, as part of New Visions/New Voices. First produced at Polka Theatre, 6 June 2009. North American premiere at the Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People, Toronto, March 2010. Resources for teachers and parents: Polka Theatre's free Monster Under the Bed Activity Pack download contains activities for you to do with your children after you have seen and/or read the play. Most of these exercises are drama based and are good for developing speaking and listening skills. All of the exercises are suitable for both KS1 and KS2 pupils. Watch Allen MacInnis, Artistic Director of Young People's Theatre (Toronto), talk about the play https://youtu.be/sYyqA6rR7F8.Trade Review“Drawing with delicacy and wit upon the childhood fantasy of the monster under the bed, writer Kevin Dyer proves why that endangered species, the original play for children, is worth saving. This is a terrifically entertaining story about fathers and sons and the monster inside all of us. What's more, it is positively postmodern in its literary references, with shades of The Borrowers, and a Father Underbed Monster who bears more than a passing resemblance to Roald Dahl's BFG. There's plenty of fun as the Little Underbed Monster takes Ben's place at school for the day, causing havoc in the classroom ... the over-sixes will just enjoy the romp. It's a joyful examination of the benefits and snares of believing the ridiculous.” Lyn Gardner, Guardian

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Book SynopsisStage adaptation of the classic tale with songs and original music by Conor Mitchell. In this theatrical version of the much-loved tale, we follow Mowgli, the boy-cub, as he meets Baloo the bear and Bagheera the panther and fights the terrifying tiger Shere Khan. After life in the jungle, can Mowgli ever return to his village?Trade Review“...a totally captivating piece of theatre...” Scotsman “...Excellent entertainment for bright kids - without in any way being patronising to adults...” The Sunday Times “...A strong story tackles the need for a tribe, for laws and for rites of passage with room for moral ambivalences...” Guardian

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Book SynopsisMayflower Street runs between Jamaica Road and the Thames in Bermondsey, South London. In 1939, 34 houses and 121 residents occupied the street. Between 1940 and 1941 bombs fell on 7 of these houses and at the end of war, the street - with its corner shop, was demolished. The London Bubble Theatre backs on to Mayflower Street overlooking the new houses and flats that now stand there. Over the past year members of our drama groups have been researching the history of the Blitz, consulting the electoral roll and interviewing residents who grew up nearby. BLACKBIRDS is the drama that has emerged from this process. Using personal testimony, physical theatre and the combined skills of a cast of contemporary Londoners, ranging in age from 7 to 78, the project aims to share some of the experiences and events that made our city into the place we know today. Suitable for use in schools, colleges, youth theatres and community groups.Table of ContentsForeword 6 Blackbirds playscript 14 Blackbirds in the classroom 52 1. Note to teachers 52 2. The script in your classroom 53 3. Session plans 54 i) On evacuation 56 ii) On bombing 58 iii) On sheltering 62 4. Appendix 64 Track List for CD 64 Transcription of recorded extracts 65 Bomb Damage Maps of Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford 68 Links to additional resources 71

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Book SynopsisMacho men or metrosexual guys? Mummy's boys or blokes under their missus' thumbs? Self-made entrepreneurs, pukka professionals and successful executives with their Mercedes Benz lives and designer-clad wives; husbands, sons, uncles, brothers and fathers - these successful, soulful and spirited Asian men have come a long way from their origins but they've all got roots! The Trouble with Asian Men is a vital, tender and hilarious insight into lives that surround us every day, from the award-winning theatre company that brought us East is East. The Trouble with Asian Men is a revealing verbatim comedy which has played to sell-out houses internationally.Trade Review“Highly entertaining, enough to make you snort with laughter.” Guardian “Glorious, not to say essential viewing.” What's On Stage

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Book SynopsisOriginal by Charles Dickens Adapted for the stage by Charles Way Dominated by Gradgrind and Bounderby, Coketown's prosperity is built on the cotton mills where thousands of men and women slave away for long hours and little pay. Gradgrind's obsession with material progress damages his children Louisa and Tom, leading to scandal and disaster. Hard Times celebrates the importance of the human heart in an age obsessed with materialism. Circus, music, and dark comedy all go into the rich mix of this truly Dickensian theatrical tale.Trade Review“A stellar adaptation by Charles Way, moving, thoughtful and wonderfully drawn.” What's on Stage ***** “Way gives real depth to characters, replaces Dickens' sentimentality with warmth and his censoriousness with moral indignation.” The Independent ***** “Daringly restructures Dickens' plot, yet sticks to the motto of his lisping ringmaster Mr Sleary: People mutht be amuthed.” Observer “Charles Way's new adaptation uses no narration—it is so refreshing to see a Dickens adaptation that isn't like having sections of the book read to you—apart from when the actors tell us what eventually happens to their characters right at the end. It also doesn't bite off more than it can chew, using only storylines that can be told in sufficient detail to make sense and tie in with other elements of the plot.” British Theatre Guide “A re-reading of the novel showed Way’s adaptation to be faithful to the original, including the pathos and the humour.” Manchester Theatre Awards

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