The Cankerbury Tales
Genre: musical comedy
Cast: 5F 6M
Age range: 25-80yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
The Cankerbury Tales is a musical comedy following the progress of the members of a small town council who find themselves short of funds. They entertain each other with songs in their bid to address the situation.
Comments: "Another collection of light-hearted and original songs brimming with witty lyrics and infectious melodies." "The songs were all varied with different tones pace and genre and delivered by some really talented actor /singers especially the stuttering vicar and the brassy bar maid."
Contact for free copy of full script.
Le Coq Au Vin
Genre: comedy
Cast: 4F 5M
Age range: 25-65yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
With a nod to Lysistrata, a play by Aristophanes, Le Coq Au Vin is set in modern times when three couples spend a weekend in a fancy hotel. The men have been feuding over a business take over and making no progress. Their partners, spurred into action by Lizzie Stratton, decide to withhold sexual favours. However, there are unforeseen consequences as they all become highly frustrated.
Contact for free copy of full script.
The Curse
Genre: comedy
Cast: 4F 9M (or some doubling) 4 F/M
Age range: 25-65yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
The Curse is a gangster film noir type musical comedy with shades of ‘The Maltese Falcon’, ‘Brighton Rock’ and a hint of ‘Tintin’. Possibly suitable for a Youth Theatre Group.
Contact for free copy of full script.
Edna's Emporium
Genre: comedy
Cast: 4F 3M (+ various others)
Age range: 25-65yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
Edna's Emporium is a musical comedy following the tribulations of Edna and her not so able sidekick Mavis in their bid to save a struggling bric-a-brac shop business from collapse. Perhaps all is not as it seems in their sleepy town ....... .
Comments:
"We really enjoyed Edna's Emporium. It was full of unexpected twists and turns. The acting was excellent and the music was wonderful. The ensemble singing was really good."
Contact for free copy of full script.
Float yer Boat
Genre: comedy
Cast: 2F 4M
Age range: 40+yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
Float yer Boat is a musical comedy following the fortunes of a group of friends in their middle years who decide to brighten up their lives by venturing into the world of personal adverts to search for a soulmate. We hear about some of the characters they have met in the past and learn about their anxieties and foibles as their relationships develop. The action of the play takes place in their respective flats and a local bar.
Comments:
“This clever and amusing musical comedy is definitely a MUST SEE SHOW. The songs are often very open minded and poignant, and were brilliantly presented by a multi-talented cast of five performers. The patter-type songs came over with musical skill and simple but effective choreography. The quieter songs were delivered with convincing timing and delivery.” Teignmouth Post (September 2015)
“Just got back from watching Float yer Boat. Wow! What a ride! A totally brilliant show and fabulous evening. The performances were great, the original writing exceptional and the music fabulous.” Audience member
Contact for free copy of full script.
Mind the Gap
Genre: drama with songs
Cast: 2F, 2M + 1 F/M
Age range: 35+yrs, 60-75yrs
Run time: approx. 70mins
This piece is about the effect that dementia has on a relationship between a mother and her daughter. Audrey, the mother, has always been self-sufficient and organized but now struggles with the fragmentation caused by dementia and the resulting reliance upon her daughter. Libby, the daughter, is more free-spirited and creative, and enjoys her work but now finds it hard to adjust to the increasing demands of caring for her mother.
Comments:
"This was a strong but tastefully scripted piece written and composed by a local playwright Peter Whittle, developed from an original song composed in collaboration with Colin Hazel. The story revolves around Audrey a mother who is going through stages of dementia and her harassed daughter Libby." (Mid Devon Advertiser)
"For anyone familiar with Peter Whittle’s usual material, Mind the Gap was a very different experience indeed. Gone were the catchy ditties and the sardonic side-swipes at modern-day life. In its place, we had a short, but intensely thought-provoking piece of theatre exploring the relationship between a mother and a daughter as the former gradually succumbs to dementia. Some lovely music, beautifully under-stated. Who Is That Woman was particularly touching. Not an easy evening; quite a challenging one, in fact. But very worthwhile for all that." (The Phoenix)
Contact for free copy of full script.
A Turkish Delight
Genre: comedy
Cast: 5F 4M
Age range: 25+yrs
Run time: approx. 90mins (+ interval)
A Turkish Delight is probably best described as a farce come pantomime, with a few songs. It is set in Edwardian times and follows the fortunes of a young woman named Shiraz who is unceremoniously turfed out of her home by Lord Pennypinch to a finishing school, with a view to improving her marriageable prospects. She then finds herself subject to the unwelcome attention of the principal of the said school called Edwin Slimebucket.
Alongside this, is a second ‘story within a story’ which concerns the actors themselves and the director’s attempts to pull together a decent production with dwindling resources. Most of the cast therefore play two parts.
Contact for free copy of full script.
What a Way to Go
Genre: comedy
Cast: 3F 4M
Age range: 25-65yrs
Run time: approx. 96mins (+ interval)
What a Way to Go is a musical comedy following the fortunes of Mabel Potts in her bid to gain freedom from the limitations of her family life.
Reviews:
"Another collection of light-hearted and original songs brimming with witty lyrics and infectious melodies." (The Staging Post)
Contact for free copy of full script.