 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
|
|
One Act Plays
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
Jack is an actor who's lost for words. Now he's also lost his leading lady – and the way things are going, he's also losing the plot and he feels he might be on the verge of losing his mind too. |
Celebulite - 3F, 1MWe live in a celebrity-obsessed society. So, when minor-celebrities measure their success on how many times they have appeared on a reality TV show and how often they are recognised in the street, what must it be like for them to lose their looks overnight?In Celebulite, we meet Victoria Ingram-Brown - who wakes up one morning to discover she has aged 20 years - and Russell, who has put on five stone. Both turn up at their agents, Hobson Associates, to discover that he has moved offices and the cleaner, Katherine, can't (or won't) provide any information. Their frustration and anger builds as they contemplate what their futures will be now that their appearance has so radically changed. For Victoria it is devastating, while Russell is slightly more philosophical. But everything changes again when Margery, Harry Hobson's PA, arrives on the scene. Is something altogether more sinister happening, or is this reality TV gone mad? Celebulite examines the cult of the celebrity in a witty yet thought-provoking way. Characters in order of appearance: Victoria - Appears to be middle-aged, yet still attractive woman who believes herself to be only 25. Russell - Late 20s to early 30s, looking overweight, but claims to be five stones lighter than he appears. Katherine - 20s to 50s, woman cleaner - a 'job's worth' who won't stand any nonsense. Definitely working class, and proud of it. Margery - 30s to 50s, PA to the owner of Hobson Associates. Calm, professional, a bit scary probably. Celebulite was first performed on 25th April 2008 at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. The cast was as follows: Victoria Ingram-Brown: Jackie McCoan; Katherine: Maggie Blumsen; Russell: Roger Leese; Margery: Julie Muckleston "A thought-provoking and very funny piece of theatre." South Wales Evening Post - theatre review. The performance licence for this play is handled by New Theatre Publications plays4theatre.com See stills from this play performed by Talespinners Theatre Company in the 'Photo Gallery' |
My Funny Valentine 1M, 2FSYNOPSIS: When Chris gives his wife Nicola a present of some saucy undies as well as a card on Valentine's Day, it's with the hope of spicing up their marriage. She is a successful advertising executive, whose career seems to be assuming more and more importance.Perhaps the pressure of work is the reason that she has forgotten to get him anything. In the post, she also gets another card from someone called Stuart who she doesn't know. But he seems to know her and isn't content with just sending a card... CHARACTERS in order of appearance: CHRIS: Mid - late 30s, works in IT - competent, but not a high-flier NICOLA: His wife mid 30s. Works as an executive in an advertising agency. Career-minded and successful, but very likeable. DI: Assistant to Nicola at work - and also a good friend. |
Man's View 3F, 1MSynopsis: Thanks to Friends Reunited, Three young women, Carol, Ann and Judy, are having a reunion in a wine bar one evening. It's the first time they've been together for fifteen years since leaving school.The play opens as they arrive back, slightly the worse for drink, at Carol's flat - a very upmarket warehouse conversion. Carol is keen to impress the others. She is married to a successful publisher, Judy is married with a young child and Ann is still single, but happy working in a dress shop. As their talk continues, and more drink is consumed, they begin to disclose more and more about their private lives. And when Carol suggests playing a kind of truth game, secrets they have kept hidden for years emerge with disastrous consequences. CHARACTERS in order of appearance: CAROL: Early 30s, enjoys spending money and the lifestyle she lives JUDY: Early 30s, pleasant and more down to earth ANN: Early 30s, happy with her lot DAVE: Mid 30s, Carol's successful publisher husband. Man's View premiered at the Grand Theatre, Swansea in September 2008. The cast was as follows: Ann - Charlotte Rogers; Judy - Liza Ludbrook; Carol- Eloise Howe; Dave - Nick Richards. The play was directed by Peter Richards for Fluellen Theatre Company. "A neatly presented adult comedy with not just one twist in the tale, but two." South Wales Evening Post - theatre review. The performance licence for this play is handled by New Theatre Publications - go to plays4theatre.com See stills from the Aldermaston Players production of this play in the 'Photo Gallery' |
Waiting for Gordon 5F or 4F 1MSYNOPSIS: Three women are attending a DIY class at their local college, when they are joined by a fourth, Helen. They are all, in their different ways, wanting to assert their independence and not rely on men.Jo doesn't like men full stop and her motivation is clear-cut: she simply prefers a man-free zone to live in. Linda has recently discovered that her husband has been having an affair with a woman twenty years her junior, and sees the DIY class (together with other similar interests) as being a diversion, something to keep her functioning. She also views it as a way of putting two fingers up to her wayward husband Gordon. She's just waiting for him to return to her, so she might have the pleasure of rejecting him, like he has rejected her. Helen has recently been widowed and views the class as a necessary thing to do. She feels at a total loss without John, her husband. Tracy has had a history of problems with men and is just waiting for the right man to come along... CHARACTERS in order of appearance JO: A feisty woman in her mid 30's - early 40's, most definitely not interested in men. LINDA: Somewhat blousy middle-age woman. Looks after herself and cares about her appearance. TRACY: Young, mid 20's woman with a slightly diffident nature, generally unsure about herself, but knows more than she sometimes lets on. HELEN: Mid 50's woman, recently widowed, feeling at a loss and trying to come to terms with life and herself. ADMINISTRATOR: The college administrator, an efficient, friendly woman or man in her/his mid thirties. The performance licence for this play is handled by Comedy Plays - go to www.comedyplays.co.uk See stills from the South Woodham Amateur Theatre production of this play in the 'Photo Gallery' |
Firewall 2M (20's) 1F (20's) 1F (young )SYNOPSIS: Mark and Jason are two 24 year old website whiz-kids working for Surprising Gifts, an internet-based toy and gift company. They are having to reorganise the database and website in time for the expected Christmas rush, but Jason isn't about to let that get in the way of taking out their assistant, Nicola.So when a virus is discovered on the system, it's Mark who is left to try and eradicate it. While he's working, he is interrupted by a young school girl who announces that it was she who hacked into their computer system to give them the virus. The next day she reappears with an even more astonishing revelation, she has breached their firewall with an even more devastating virus, one that could potentially destroy their company. CHARACTERS in order of appearance: JASON: A young webmaster, bright and but never particularly serious and doesn't want work to get in the way of his leisure life. MARK: The same age as Jason, but more senior and takes life a lot more seriously. NICOLA: Their assistant, always willing to please. JESSICA: A twelve year old schoolgirl, pretty and perhaps quite slight, but with definite inner strength (can be played by an older girl, but must look young) |
Welsh Lessons 5F, 2M
SYNOPSIS It's the beginning of an adult Welsh learners' class as the new students get to grips with Welsh for the first time. We overhear their thoughts as they try to wrap their tongues round the language, with smaller or greater degrees of success. |
Needle Time 2M, 1FSYNOPSIS: Rob is an ageing hippy DJ, warm but cynical. When Suzie, the new girl at the radio station, comes in he's not sure what to make of her, nor she of him.She's trying to get him to play her brother's new record. Hes more concerned in scoring points and showing off. Is anything he says actually true? Or is it all meaningless banter? CHARACTERS in order of appearance: Rob Peters: A disc jockey - early to mid fifties, warm but cynical Suzie Hughes: Young, mid twenties, smart young woman who wants to work in radio Night Manager: 40's or 50's man - obviously good at his job. There are also a number of parts all of which can be played by members of the cast. These are as follows: Station Announcer Hare (a character part in a radio commercial) Tortoise (another character part in a radio commercial) Voice Over Announcer In addition, there is a sung station ident required and a recording of a local band The sound effect referred to in the script is available on BBC Sound FX CD 8 |
Getting the BreaksA ONE ACT PLAY FOR A YOUTH CAST: 3M (teens) 2F (teens) 1F (20s)SYNOPSIS: Jason and Zoe were going out together. Now Zoe claims she is pregnant – and tells her teacher Miss Priestly. Ben and Sarah are friends. He is unhappy that his mother won't let him out at night. Sarah thinks he should stand up for himself. Berwyn dreams of getting the perfect break in snooker and beating the record. We hear from all these teenagers, their hopes and fears. We begin to understand a little of what makes them who they are. When Zoe attempts suicide, lives converge, briefly touching, before going their own way again. CHARACTERS in order of appearance: JASON: about 17 ZOE: about 17 SARAH: 16 and a bit of a loud mouth BEN: 16 - always feels put upon and not without reason BERWYN: just turned 16 - a fanatical snooker player MISS PRIESTLY: Young teacher in her early 20s " This is a play that a young audience would enjoy and the author should be congratulated for creating an educational script that avoids preaching." Amateur Stage Magazine - Review, April 2010. The performance licence for this play is handled by New Theatre Publications - go to plays4theatre.com |
|