One-Act Comedies
"THERE'S A GHOST IN THE BASEMENT, M'LORD" - farce; children up to 14; 9m., 2f.; single set.
Cobby and Siddy, two burglars, hide from the police in long deserted Mudslow Manor. But is it really deserted? A ghostly experience.
"A GOOD KNIGHT'S WORK" - farce; children up to 14; 12m., 4f + chorus; single set.
Medieval England, King Ferd's a tyrant, the knights are cowardly but vying for the hand of Princess Adeline, the dragons are pests and only Sir Richard Trueheart can save the day.
"KING CHICKEN" - farce; children up to 14; 8m., 2f. ; simple set.
This mad take on the legend of Tarzan, Jane and Doctor Livingstone has proved the most popular of these fantasy plays and has been performed around the world.
"SITTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD" - farce; children up to 14yrs.; 8 actors, male or female; simple set.
Bill and Fred are workmen on a skyscraper 23 storeys high. To this isolated place comes a weird collection of circus performers, policemen - and a mad bomber.
"THE WET SUNDAY DREAMERS" - comedy; children up to 12; 10m., 4f.; simple set.
Maxie and his sister Ruthie are enduring a miserable wet Sunday. But when their dreams become reality, the afternoon becomes an adventure.
"THE OLD MAN OF LU"- comedy/fantasy; children up to 14; 11m., 4f + chorus; simple set.
In ancient China, the Emperor Khan and his executioner are about to exact a terrible punishment on a young man and a girl, but they are saved by the appearance of a wise old man - Confucius.
"FAR DISTANT STAR" - comedy; teenagers; 2m., 2f.; simple set.
Toby is deeply in love with his far distant star, the beautiful Maxine, but can't work up the courage to "front"her - until his friends, Tim and Annette decide to take him in hand.
" BOOTS AN' ALL" - farce; teenagers; 17 actors, male or female; simple set.
It is ten minutes before the football game begins and the coach despairs of his inept, cowardly team who are about to face the dreaded leaders of the competition. But somehow they manage to win. My most popular comedy world-wide.
"ME AND JIMMY HARRIS" - comedy; children up to 14; 1m., 2f.; simple set.
All Jimmy Harris wants to do is build his billycart, but the two girls decide it's time for Jimmy to learn a few facts of life. One of my favourite plays.
"CASANOVA IN SNEAKERS" - comedy; teenagers; 3m., 3f.; simple set.
It is night outside Jacquie's place and two of Paul's friends have arrived to see how well he goes with his new girl friend he is walking home from the dance. They are joined by two girls and they are stunned by Paul's line of pure romance.
"THE BATTLE OF BILGA ROAD" - comedy; teenagers, 2m.,2f.; simple set.
Cynthia, 17, and deeply into women's liberation, plans an elaborate trap for her date, Steve, 19, whose caveman attitudes towards women are legendary in her suburb. But Steve isn't stupid and concocts a strategy of his own that is brilliantly triumphant.
"THE FACTS OF LIFE" - comedy; children up to 14; 2m., 1f.; simple set.
A companion piece to "Me and Jimmy Harris". Mario and Fitzy ponder the deep significance of their navels until Fitzy's sister, Lou, comes along to teach them her version of the facts of life. A very successful little play.
"ADAM AND EVIE" - comedy; children up to 14; 5m., 1f.; simple set.
Outside the Saint George Football ground, the boys are late for the game but their enjoyment is jeopardised by Evie, who has an eye for Adam, and by Snakey, who tempts their scant money with hotdogs.
"THE DYING OF SAM'S MATE MICKEY" - comedy; children up to 14; 4m., 3f.; simple set.
Mickey thinks his eyes are going because he is attracted to a girl he once thought ugly. But his dad told him that once your eyes go, you're dead - so now Mickey thinks he is dying. An audience gathers for the event.
"THE MAN WITH THE ITCHY FIGGER TRINGER" - farce; version for children up to 14; 10 characters, male or female; simple set.
It is the Old West and Laredo the laconic gunslinger arrives in town looking for a showdown with Willy the Kid. Everyone gets shot. A very funny farce.
"THE MAN WITH THE ITCHY FIGGER TRINGER" - farce; extended version for teenagers; 15 characters, male or female; simple set.
A slightly ruder version.
"HARRY THE BIG'S LAST CAPER" - comedy; children up to 14; 2m., 3f.; simple set.
A send-up of the American gangster story involving a burglary, a doublecross and a double-doublecross.
"WAR IS HELL" - comedy; children up to 12 or older teenagers looking back; 2m., 5f.; simple set.
The girls have "occupied" a vacant lot and established their fort. But the arrival of an invading force of one boy with chocolate biscuits brings on a war.
"THAT THE BRAIN IS MIGHTIER THAN THE BRAWN" - comedy; 4m., 1f.; simple set.
In a school yard, the brain demonstrates the way to overcome the school bully.
"THE MOONPRAWN" - comedy; teenagers; 3m., 4f.; simple set.
A play about romance. Having brought Lisa home by taxi from a dance, Paul finds himself stranded kilometres from home and with no money. Lisa offers very little comfort in any direction - then chaos breaks out in the shape of Lisa's family.
"ALL MY LOVE, PAUL" - the prize winning play; comedy/drama; older teenagers; 1m., 2f.; simple set.
Waiting for the bus one morning, Paul is confronted by the strange Carina who puts a proposition to him so stunning that all his presumptions about love and life are challenged. A beautiful play.