Scripts and Performing Rights (stage)
For other rights (audio, online recorded, video etc) contact martin@martinforeman.com
Extracts from any play may be used in auditions for no fee or acknowledgement.
Extracts from any play may be used in drama courses for no fee but with notification to the author (see exceptions below).
Two-act plays
scroll down for shorter plays
a modern take on an ancient classic
“People will look back on us and maybe they’ll be appalled by what we said and did – or maybe they’ll laugh or maybe they’ll just wonder at the complexity of human relationships.”
Step back into the past while keeping one foot in the present in this fast and funny, filthy and philosophical play. Very strong language and frequent sexual activity.
min 9 actors (including doubling), all ages and genders
He’s dying to get rich
VOLPONE
“Great pleasure comes from others’ hopes destroyed.
The Germans have a word for it – ah, Schadenfreud’!”
The Jacobean comedy condensed and updated to the nineteenth century, with Mosca and Corbaccia now women
min 13 actors (including doubling), all ages and genders
Commercial productions
where all cast and crew receive at least the legal minimum wage in the country where the performance takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £75 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: £120 per performance
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Community / Student / Amateur Productions
where cast and crew receive no wage or wage or profit-share less than the legal minimum in the country where the production takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £45 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: £80 per performance
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Drama Colleges / Courses
Teaching
no charge for use of extracts or scenes in classes which are only observed by the course leader and fellow students as long as the author is notified in advance
Performance
for production of part or all of any play where the audience includes non-students or other members of the public: £30 per performance
One-act plays
scroll down for one-person & short plays
What if Portia never came to Venice?
“In steals a plot from well-known lovers’ play and with sad death marks consequence of greed.”
The Merchant of Venice reimagined as tragedy, with Antonio and Bassanio forced to look deep into their souls
2F, 3M
script available on request
The greatest master of all is passion
“Life is a performance. The actor makes the man. A moment ago you were an impetuous boy. Now you are a gentleman.”
In bed with his first true love, nineteen-year-old Giovanni Casanova is visited by an old man who shows him his future.
1M 19, 1M 60+, 1M 30-60 (doubling), 3F under 20 (doubling), 1F, 25- 60 (doubling)
It’s a question of survival
“It’s different when you’re pregnant. Everything changes. But you don’t know that, do you?”
In an isolated house in the near future two women from different generations and with very different needs confront each other.
1F 60+, 1F 30s, 1M 30s, 1M 60+
script available on request
Commercial productions
where all cast and crew receive at least the legal minimum wage in the country where the performance takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £45 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: £60 per performance
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Community / Student / Amateur Productions
where cast and crew receive no wage or wage or profit-share less than the legal minimum in the country where the production takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £25 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: £40 per performance
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Drama Colleges / Courses
Teaching
no charge for use of extracts or scenes in classes which are only observed by the course leader and fellow students as long as the author is notified in advance
Performance
for production of part or all of any play where the audience includes non-students or other members of the public: £15 per performance
One-actor (M/F) plays
scroll down for short plays
Take This Body
“If we find pleasure in men, we have found God on earth and have no need of God in Heaven.”
A priest is torn between his sexuality and his faith
app 40 min; 1M 45+
“4 stars” Broadway Baby
Edinburgh Fringe 2014
Did you ever go to Ben and Joe’s?
“We looked at the empty space behind the bar and became aware of the abyss that had opened up around us.”
A group of older gay men in a Los Angeles bar in the 1990s
app 40 min; 1M 45+
“beautifully perceptive”
WhatsPeenSeen 2013
script available on request
Tadzio Speaks
“It seemed to be a plea for something I could not give, something much greater than I possessed.”
Decades after that fateful summer in Venice, Tadzio finally speaks
app 45 min; 1M 45+
Who do you trust?
“A bimbo you screw. A babe you talk to a bit, then screw. A woman like this, you make love.”
A man alone and a single woman in 1990s Los Angeles
app 40 min; 1M 30+
“4 stars” Broadway Baby
Edinburgh Fringe 2014
script available on request
Frederick Rolfe in Venice
“Enemies keep us alert. A new enemy, Zildo, has infinitely more possibilities for engagement than an old friend.”
A group of older gay men in a Los Angeles bar in the 1990s
app 40 min; 1M 45+
“beautifully perceptive”
WhatsPeenSeen 2013
A roller-coaster ride
“I had to lie on the bed I had made. Even if there were nights I was lying alone wondering who you were with.”
An older woman looks back on her life and marriage
app 45 min; 1F 60+
script available on request
available in UK and US versions
Commercial productions
where all cast and crew receive at least the legal minimum wage in the country where the performance takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £25 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: on request
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Community / Student / Amateur Productions
where cast and crew receive no wage or wage or profit-share less than the legal minimum in the country where the production takes place
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £10 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: on request
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Drama Colleges / Courses
Teaching
no charge for use of extracts or scenes in classes which are only observed by the course leader and fellow students as long as the author is notified in advance
Performance
for production of part or all of any play where the audience includes non-students or other members of the public: £10 per performance
Short plays
One More Time and The Report – time keeps repeating itself
Delivery! – when parcels just keep coming
Umm Kulthum – a dystopian future
Nothing to be Done – who were Vladimir and Estragon waiting for?
Hand and Foot – not only the voice can speak
The Reckoning – how did Christopher Marlowe die?
E, C, H, K; Everyone’s Dream – sexual violence
The Tragic Love of Two Enemies – in Noh style
Get a Licence! – population polemic
Commercial / Community / Student / Amateur Productions
auditorium of no more than 150 seats: £5 per performance
auditorium of 151 seats or more: £10 per performance
use / copying of scripts: free subject to written agreement
Drama Colleges / Courses
Teaching
no charge for use of extracts or scenes in classes which are only observed by the course leader and fellow students as long as the author is notified in advance
Performance
for production of part or all of any play where the audience includes non-students or other members of the public: £5 per performance