ONE-ACT DRAMAS
ACCIDENT OF CIRCUMSTANCE
3m 2f can play 3m 6f 4m/f with doubling and trebling
'emotionally gripping' (Amateur Stage)
'a chilling study of schizophrenia' (Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh)
When John suspects that people are plotting against him, his GP diagnoses him as schizophrenic. John analyses his illness 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 eventually their marriage breaks down. This tubulent life ends in the only possible release from his pain - his death. Based on actual events and told in 'John' and 'Ellen's' own words.
GOING HOME
3m : 6f
‘...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.
THE MAN WHO COLLECTED WOMEN
2m : 5f
A Sherlock Holmes adventure based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s short story “The Illustrious Client”. When 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 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.
THE MAZARIN STONE
2m : 4f
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.
PRIMROSE WAY
an award winning one act play for three women
"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.
SISTERS AND THEIR SECRETS
3f 1m
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.
WAITING FOR THE WHALE
5f 2m
‘a dark tale of a man pushed to the edge’ (Edinburgh Evening News)
Jonah feels that life is treating him harshly. 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.
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