Ron Nicol Plays
Ron Nicol Plays

 ONE-ACT DRAMAS

 ACCIDENT OF CIRCUMSTANCE

(Stagescripts Ltd.)

'emotionally gripping' (Amateur Stage)

'a chilling study of schizophrenia' (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh)

John suspects that people are plotting against him. His GP diagnoses him as schizophrenic. A highly intelligent man, John analyses his illness and the treatment he's enduring and 'knows' there's nothing wrong with him. His encounters in hospital with the doctor who seems baffled by his illness become increasingly fraught, his relationship with his wife Ellen disintegrates and their marriage breaks down. This tubulent life ends in the only possible release from his pain - his death.  A drama based on actual events and told in 'John' and 'Ellen's' own words.

3m 2f  can play 3m 6f 4m/f with doubling and trebling: John, Ellen, GP, Head Teacher, Doctor, Old Woman, Nurse, Second Nurse, John’s Father-in-law, Patient, Man in Wheelchair, John’s Mother, Jane. Many characters can be male or female as dictated by availability when casting, and more nurses and/or patients may be included. The GP, Old Woman, Nurse, John’s Mother and Jane can be played by one f, and the Head Teacher, John’s Father-in-law, Male Nurse, Patient and Man in Wheelchair by one m, although as many performers as you wish may be cast.

GOING HOME

(Stagescripts Ltd.)

‘...an unusual insight into the relationships which develop not only between members of the faculty, but also between the students themselves and - inevitably -  between the students and teachers. We have no hesitation in commending this fine piece of theatre to those who look for a play with a bit more meat on the bone.' (Amateur Stage)

‘gripping and moving’ (Glanmire Macra at the Macra na Feirme All-Ireland Final)

It’s the end of the college term, and all Mr Mac wants to do is go home. Then his department head demands he consider early retirement, a colleague asks him to alter examination results, he misunderstands the motives of one of his students, and is assaulted in his classroom – with disastrous consequences.

Staff - Jack Macintosh (Mr Mac), Mrs Doyle,  Helen Roberton, Janet Hardy; Students - Sharon, Craig, Leanne, Tracey.

THE MAN WHO COLLECTED WOMEN

(Stagescripts Ltd.)

A Sherlock Holmes adventure in one act based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Illustrious Client”. When the unscrupulous Baron Gruner persuades impressionable heiress Violet de Merville to marry him, Lady Hilda Damery approaches Sherlock Holmes for help. With the assistance of Mary Watson, underworld contact Annie Johnson and the Baron’s discarded mistress Kitty Winter, Holmes comes up trumps. Despite being assaulted and left for dead, he steals Gruner’s diary of conquests and prevents the Baron adding to his collection of betrayed women, while Kitty takes her own drastic revenge.

Characters: 2m/5f. Sherlock Holmes, Mary Watson, Lady Hilda Damery, Baron Adelbert Gruner, Annie Johnson, Kitty Winter,

Violet de Merville

THE MAZARIN STONE

(Stagescripts Ltd.)

A Sherlock Holmes adventure based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Adventure of the Mazarin Stone”. Countess Natalia Sylvina steals a fabulous diamond and Sherlock Holmes is determined to get it back, with the help of Dr Watson's wife Mary. The Countess and her strong-arm man Sam Merton confront the great detective in his consulting rooms at Baker Street. Sylvina belives she has the upper hand, but is tricked by the use of a dummy into revealing the whereabouts of the fabulous jewel. Mary arrives with the police, the villains are arrested, and Holmes returns the Stone to Lady Cantlemere.

Characters: 2m/4f. Sherlock Holmes, Mary Watson, Mrs Hudson, Countess Natalia Sylvina, Sam Merton, Lady Hilda Cantlemere.

 PRIMROSE WAY

(Samuel French)

award winning one act play

"A touching drama with moments of gentle comedy" - Amateur Stage; "A beautifully written, poignant drama" - Scene; 

"I loved this play. It made me laugh. It made me cry. What more could one want?" - Prompt magazine

The aging bag lady on the streets who opens the play is the eponymous Primrose Way, once a professional actress. As she reminisces and her story unfolds, we see her enthusiastic youthful self retracing her career in the theatre, and reliving the memories of her ambitious mother, herself a professional actress, who delights in playing a number of other characters who drift through Primrose’s recollections.

Characters - Primrose; Mother; Young Primrose

Festival Awards : McGavin Drama Club - 2013 SCDA Ayrshire District Festival Second Place, Best Lighting. Tudor Players - 2013 Sheffield & District Festival Second Place, Best Actress, Most Promising U21 Performance, Special Mention – Costume, Special Mention - Champagne Moment, Shortlisted for Best Director, Nominated Best Actress. Sedgefield Players - 2014 Sedgefield Drama Festival Best Production, Best Director, Best Actress, Best U21 Actress, Best Costume; Best Set; Most Effective 30 Seconds. Runnymede Drama Group - 2016 AETF Elmbridge Festival Runner-Up, Best Actress. Runnymede Drama Group - 2016 NDFA Leatherhead Festival Winners, Best Director, Best Actress Nomination, Best Actress Special Mention. St Patrick’s Dramatic Society - 2016 Drama League of Ireland Skerries Festival Best Supporting Actress. 88 Theatre - 2017 SCDA Stewartry District Festival First Place, Highest Production Marks, Best Stage Presentation, Audience Choice, Best Moment of Theatre Nomination. 88 Theatre - 2017 SCDA Western Divisional Final Second Place. 88 Theatre - 2017 SCDA Scottish Finalists. Didcot Phoenix Drama Group - 2018 Henley Drama Festival Best Supporting Role, Best Actress Nomination. Didcot Phoenix Drama Group -  Best Actress and Magic Moment nominations.

 

SISTERS AND THEIR SECRETS

Stagescripts Ltd.

Three sisters meet for their father’s birthday. They look back on their childhood, recalling their strict upbringing and sharing their best kept secrets. Carrie is pregnant and Fay is gay, but Hester insists she has nothing to hide. The discovery that Father is dead leads to arguments and accusations until his killer eventually confesses. The ironic prediction that Father is quite capable of rising from his deathbed is fulfilled –  but his eventual death is unexpected.

Characters: Fay, Hester, Carrie; Father (n/s short appearance)

WAITING FOR THE WHALE

Stagescripts Ltd

‘a dark tale of a man pushed to the edge’ (Edinburgh Evening News)

Jonah feels that life is treating him harshly and decides to speak out. He acquires a gun and makes a stand in his local Jobcentre, hoping to attract attention and somehow change his life. His attempt is a total disaster, simply confirming that Jonah is condemned to be one of life’s perpetual losers.

Alex or Alec; Jonah; Janet; Mike; Senga; Jez; Adviser; Client (n/s)

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