Nick Hern Books, which specialises in modern plays, tell
us that the following have just been released for amateur production:
I WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY by Iain F MacLeod.
"Dan, a survivor of the first Gulf War, exists somewhere between
sadness and contentment in a hospital, his only passion is making
maps that tell the personal history of his native island in the Outer
Hebrides. Then, one day, a young woman from the Ordnance Survey arrives
and turns his quiet life upside down. A deeply moving, often hilarious
tale of resilience, survival and cartography. It was commissioned
by the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh and toured through Scotland."
(1F, 2M)
"I Was a Beautiful Day is an explosively poetic two-hour
meditation on the relationship between Gaelic culture and language,
and the whole concept of landscape, geography and identity"-
Scotsman"
Script available at £8.99 (ISBN: 1 85459 913 5)
Amateur performing rights: £56 per performance
JORDAN by Moira Buffini and Anna Reynolds.
This one-woman play is based on the true story of Shirley Jones smothered
her baby boy, Jordan, rather than give him up to the authorities,
and later attempted suicide in 1986 after fleeing an abusive husband
and turning to prostitution. A powerful piece that is told in a clear
and unsentimental way, and cannot fail to move its audience. The play
won numerous awards, including the 1992 Writers Guild Award for Best
Fringe Play and the 1992 Time Out Award for Moira Buffini's performance.
(1F)
Script available soon in SINGULAR (female) VOICES at £8.99 (ISBN:
1 85459917 8)
Amateur performing rights:£45 per performance
COLD COMFORT by Owen McCafferty.
(Released for amateur rights outside London only)
Kevin Toner, an Irish labourer living in Kilburn, returns to Belfast
to have a last, drunken conversation with his recently deceased father.'
A brilliat showcase for a male actor. (1M)
"A quietly dramatic magic: no tricks, just human nature revealed
with infinite humanity" - Mail on Sunday on McCafferty's Scenes
from the Big Picture
Script available in SINGULAR (male) VOICES, £8.99 (ISBN: 1 85459
760 4)
Amateur performing rights: £45 per performance
PLAYING THE VICTIM by the Presnyakov Brothers, translated by Sasha
Dugdale.
(UK only)
A young man drops out of university and takes on the job of playing
the victim in murder reconstructions in this weird but wonderful play
that premiered 2003 in a Told By an Idiot / Royal Court co-production
at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, before transferring to the Royal
Court Theatre, London. Leaves scope for inventive physical theatre,
minimum set requirements. (2F, 4M)
'A bitter, funny, penetrating look at the toxic effects of living
with fear' - The Observer on Presnyakov Brother's TERRORISM
Scripts available at £8.99 (ISBN 1 85459 759 0)
Amateur performing rights: £56
Scripts
All titles are available to buy from our website, www.nickhernbooks.co.uk,
but we are also happy to send them to you free on perusal for 30 days
(postage and packing payable).
Ideas
If you're looking for something specific (a play for an all-female
cast? A musical revue? A classic comedy?), or just want a few ideas,
we're always happy to offer suggestions or send you our free catalogue.
Contact Tamara von Werthern, Performing Rights Manager, at tamara@nickhernbooks.demon.co.uk,
020 8749 4953.
It is hoped soon to be able to extend the Reviews section to other
parts of the country.
