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By: Various

Book cover One-Act Play Collection 011

Here are 10 one act plays offered by various groups of readers. From Ancient India to the Far Future, from the palaces of royalty to the servants hall, from comedy to tragedy, from deeply philosophical to farcically entertaining. Enjoy! Chitra by Rabindranath Tagore : Narrator: Foon Madana: Tomas Peter Vasanta: alanmapstone Chitra: Availle Arjuna: ToddHW Villagers: Sonia The Vampire Cat by Gerard van Etten : Narrator: Ian King Prince Hizen: Tomas Peter Buzen: ToddHW Ruiten: TJ Burns Ito Soda: Chuck...

By: George Arliss (1868-1946)

Book cover Hamilton

One hundred years before the current hit musical Hamilton, Mary Hamlin wrote this historical play for Broadway with a big actor of the day, George Arliss, as co-author playing the leading role. It was made into a movie in 1931 with Arliss also playing the lead. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Alexander Hamilton: Tomas Peter General Schuyler: Amelia Chesley Thomas Jefferson: Wolfgang Bas James Monroe: Aleacia Messiah William B. Giles: Donald Gilmore Count Tallyrand: Delmar H Dolbier John Jay, Chief Justice: Joseph Tabler Zekiel: EJWiley James Reynolds: Chuck Williamson Colonel Lear: Campbell Schelp First Man: Nemo Second Man: Eva Davis Betsy Hamilton: Availle Angelica Church: TJ Burns Mrs...

By: Brandon Thomas (1848-1914)

Book cover Charley's Aunt

The girlfriends are coming to visit the chaps at college, but of course they can't stay unless there is a proper chaperone. So what could be more reasonable that getting a friend from the Drama Club to dress up and pretend to be Charley's Aunt? Simple and sure to work! What could go wrong? Howsabout the real aunt arriving? This play has been revived and adapted numerous times including as films, a Broadway musical, and even an opera. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: STEPHEN SPETTIGUE, Solicitor, Oxford: Foon COLONEL SIR FRANCIS CHESNEY, BART...

By: Ben Jonson (1572-1637)

Book cover Every Man In His Humour

Knowell, an old man - rumor says Shakespeare originally played this part - tries to spy upon the doings of his potentially wayward son. Meanwhile, Kitely, a merchant, worries so much about being cuckolded by his wife that perhaps it has to happen. All this while a swarm of other interesting characters surround them. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: KNOWELL, an old Gentleman: ToddHW EDWARD KNOWELL, his Son: Rob Marland BRAINWORM, the Father's Man: Zames Curran GEORGE DOWNRIGHT, a plain Squire: Algy...

By: Charles S. Brooks (1878-1934)

Book cover At The Sign of The Greedy Pig

"Sometimes, in a mood of Spanish castles, there flits across my fancy the vision of an ancient city on a hill-top, with lofty battlements thrust upward from the rock and towers that stand on tip-toe…. Our stage is the square of this ancient city, seen dimly in the night.... The time of our play is remote and I choose to think the world is flat, that comets are of evil prophecy and witches still ride on the windy moon...." Published in the same book as "Wappin' Wharf: A Frightful Comedy of Pirates", this story is subtitled "A Frightful Comedy of Beggars"...

By: Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934)

Book cover Trelawny of the Wells

A theater, various actors and actresses, their admirers, financial backers, etc. The star Rose Trelawny wants to leave the stage for love, but it is not an easy thing to fit into conventional society after a life onstage. And not easy to go back to the stage either. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Tom Wrench: Tomas Peter Ferdinand Gadd: Roger Melin James Telfer: Patrick Wallace Augustus Colpoys: alanmapstone Rose Trelawny: Eva Davis Avonia Bunn: Leanne Yau Mrs Telfer : Susan Ferman Imogen Parrott:...

By: Richard Steele (1672-1729)

Book cover Funeral: or Grief A-La-Mode

The Funeral: or, Grief à-la-Mode, a Comedy, was written in the summer of 1701, and given to Christopher Rich, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in October. Soon afterwards it was acted, and it was published by Jacob Tonson between December 18 and 20, with the date 1702 on the title-page. The music to the songs, by William Croft, appeared between December 16 and 18. [] The play was revived occasionally in most of the years between 1703 and 1734, and from time to time during the following half-century, the last date, apparently, being April 17, 1799...

By: Walter W. Ellis (1874-1956)

Book cover Little Bit of Fluff

According to the website www.stagebeauty.net, this is the 5th longest running play ever, with over 1200 original performances. Like Charley's Aunt , this also is a farce. An insurance investigator, a possible fraudulent injury claim, a lost necklace, an aged aunt with a more than passing resemblance to someone else, and of course, that Little Bit of Fluff - all conspire to cause great confusion. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: JOHN AYERS: Tomas Peter BERTRAM TULLY, His friend: Campbell Schelp NIXON TRIPPETT, Inspector of Claims for the Motor ’Bus Company: Chuck Williamson DR...

By: Molière (1622-1673)

Book cover George Dandin: or The Abashed Husband

"The treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle having been ratified ... and peace being assured ... Louis XIV resolved to give a festival in his favorite gardens of Versailles. Moliere's comedy, George Dandin, formed the chief entertainment." The plot: A wife comes home rather late, finds the door shut, and threatens to kill herself if her husband does not let her in. She pretends to do so; the good man rushes out quite terrified; the wife, meanwhile, sneaks in, and he is in his turn locked out. Add in her idiot parents and this should be the usual madcap fun...

By: Arthur Adams (1872-1936)

Book cover Mrs. Pretty and The Premier

The Premier has decided that being married would be good for his image. He asks his stenographer for advice: Good. Just jot me down a precis of the points made by your fifteen admirers when proposing - the points that specially appealed to you. I'm afraid, sir, that what most appealed to me could not be expressed in words. In fact, it wasn't words. But no, sir. The subject is too sacred.... ...But you could tell me how they began. The opening address, eh? How did they lead up? Most of 'em just kissed me, sir...

By: Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934)

Book cover Benefit of the Doubt

The plot resolves around a young woman being cited in court as "The Other Woman" in a divorce case, and how her family reacts to it. Says her uncle: I shall go out; people shall see me walking boldly through the streets: Portland Place—Regent Street—Fletcher Portwood, with his head up—his head up, they’ll say. I shall not turn my back on you, my poor little girl; don’t be frightened of that. You were always my favourite niece— I shall dine at the House, and then sup at the club. All London shall see me...

By: Walter De la Mare (1873-1956)

Book cover Crossings: A Fairy Play

Under the terms of a will, the Wildersham children have to relocate from the family house in the city to "Crossings" in the country, and to spend the first fortnight alone fending for themselves in the house. The children encounter interesting country neighbors, including ghosts and fairies. Or are they dreaming? Walter De La Mare was a poet, and we have a number of his poems available at. This is his only play: "Crossings was produced for the first time in 1919, at the Wick School, Hove, to celebrate the coming of Peace...

By: Arthur Adams (1872-1936)

Book cover Wasters

Here we have a serious family drama by Australian playwright Arthur Adams about legacy and responsibilities, with some question about exactly who exactly the Wasters in society are. "No; you produce nothing, you spend everything; you do nothing, you waste everything. You're parasites, useless parasites.... Parasites, inefficients, wasters, wasters!" "We may be parasites, but you have made us parasites. We may be wasters, but you prey on us." To highlight the growing tensions, it includes comic second act scenes placed in the women's undergarment department of the family store...

By: A. Edward Newton (1864-1940)

Book cover Doctor Johnson: A Play

The life of Doctor Johnson, told in his own words and those of others around him. "Anyone with a teaspoonful of imagination can read this play with pleasure; with two teaspoonsful, I will not be responsible for results. He, or she, may be disappointed, for there is no plot to speak of. But there is talk - about as good talk as has ever been reported, and James Boswell as a reporter has never had an equal. " - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: ACT 1: Mr. STEWART: James Thomas Mr. MAITLAND: Tomas Peter Mr...

By: Lucian of Samosata

Book cover Lucian's Dialogues Volume 4: Zeus the Tragedian

Zeus, gloomy and in tragic distress, is implored by Hermes and Athena to divulge the cause of his melancholy condition; while Hera, true to her Homeric character, confidently attributes it to another earthly amour. The king of gods and men, thus adjured, announced the true reason of his anxiety--daring assaults upon the character of himself and the rest of the Olympian divinities, and, in fact, denial of their very existence by the skeptics. What would be the best course to pursue? Summary by FoonCast...

By: Molière (1622-1673)

Book cover Amphitryon

"The history of Amphitryon and Alcmene, or rather the myth of the birth of Hercules, is certainly very old, and is to be found in the literature of different nations." Under Moliere's touch, it becomes "One of the most charming and natural comedies composed in French verse.... Sprightliness and vivacity abound in this comedy...." - Summary by Translator Henri Van Laun Cast list: Mercury, in the form of Sosia: Nemo Night: Eva Davis Jupiter, in the form of Amphitryon: Larry Wilson Mercury, in the...

By: Various

Book cover One-Act Play Collection 013

Here, in our 13th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from tales of ancient Greek sailors to a story about early 1900 moonshiners; many short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Alice Gerstenberg, Elizabeth Lay and Hugh Heffner died in 1972, 1989, and 1985 respectively and their plays may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: 1...

By: Arthur Adams (1872-1936)

Book cover Galahad Jones

Dramatised by Australian playwright Arthur Adams from his book of the same name, this is labeled "A Comedy with a Tragic Tang". The author claims there is an alternative ending he wrote much against his will, but he declines to print it. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Galahad Jones: Adrian Stephens Sibyl Beach: Beth Thomas Pearl: Devorah Allen The Butcher: Son of the Exiles Edward Beach: ToddHW The Doctor: alanmapstone Kathie Jones: TJ Burns Horace Lothian: Tomas Peter A Young Man: Leanne Yau Em. Jones: Sonia Stage Directions: MichaelMaggs Edited by: ToddHW

By: George Kelly (1887-1974)

Book cover Torch-Bearers

"The cold, historical fact is that at about 9:15 o’clock on the evening of August 29th, 1922, five or six hundred average New Yorkers, two or three hundred friends of the management, and about fifty sophisticated first-nighters were in grave danger of rolling off their seats in hysteria because of The Torch-Bearers." How can you resist a play with a review like that? - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Mr. Frederick Ritter: Adam Bielka Mr. Huxley Hossefrosse: larryhayes7 Mr. Spindler: KHand Mr. Ralph Twiller: Matthew Reece Teddy Spearing: DrewStarmer Mr...

By: Molière (1622-1673)

Book cover Princess of Elis

In the month of May 1664, Louis XIV entertained the Queen-mother, Anne of Austria, and his own wife , Maria Theresa, with a brilliant and sumptuous fete at Versailles.... The second day was distinguished by the representation of The Pricess of Elis [by Moliere].... The Princess of Elis, a comedy-ballet, was intended to represent the struggle between the affections of the male and female sex, a struggle in which victory often remains with the one who seems the furthest from obtaining it.... The author's natural flow of wit and humor was checked by the necessity of accommodating himself to the conventionalities of courtly propriety...

By: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832)

Book cover Essays on Art

Essays on art, letters, thoughts, aphorisms - Goethe's thoughts were dealing with artworks of every branch of arts. He addressed many aspects of the artistic process and described his impressions of works of arts - and even dilettantism - in his essays. Being one of the great masters of german written arts, Goethe used his own skills to express his thoughts: while Section 25 is more of a commented list of pictures in a gallery, two other sections are dramatic readings. Furthermore there are letters, talks and thoughts to entertain - I hope, these essays may function as a worthy treasure-chest for the interested...

By: George Kelly (1887-1974)

Book cover Show Off

Amy Fisher's parents can't understand what their daughter sees in Aubrey Piper, a loudmouth and braggart who pretends to be more than the lowly clerk he is. She marries Aubrey even though he can't seem to stop insulting others or interfering with their lives. He accidentally sets her inventor brother Joe's laboratory on fire and also wrecks a car, driving it without a license. He is kicked off a radio show for offending the sponsor and blows Joe's deal with a paint company by demanding the inventor be paid $100,000...

By: Arthur Lewis Tubbs (1867-1946)

Book cover Alias Miss Sherlock

Dick Brewster is implicated in a murder and comes to his aunt's farm to hide. His Aunt Sarah stands by him in his need and they all move to the city in the effort to clear his name. She investigates on her own account and.... - Summary by The Author Cast list: Lily Ann, Help at the farm: Devorah Allen Aaron Flint, the hired man: Alan Mapstone Mrs. Brewster, from New York: TJ Burns Helen Brewster, her daughter: Jenn Broda Leonard Fillmore, a young country lawyer: skypigeon Sarah Newcomb, sister of Mrs...

By: Jean Racine (1639-1699)

Book cover Andromache

In this tragedy [about part of the aftermath of the Trojan War], which made its appearance in 1667, there is a more intricate plot than is usual in Racine's plays, and it offers a greater variety of character and motive. Love, jealousy, friendship, conjugal fidelity, maternal tenderness, anger, and despair are all portrayed with skillful touches; and if the language is that of the French Court of the seventeenth century, the natural emotions of the human heart, the same in all ages, show themselves...

By: Gregorio Martínez Sierra (1881-1947)

Book cover Madame Pepita

Madame Pepita is a dressmaker in Madrid with an inherited fortune and a secret. So naturally she worries about the motivations of the suitors for her daughter's hand. But perhaps she should pay attention to other concerns as well. This play was made into a BBC movie in 1952. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Madame Pepita, aged 38: Availle Catalina, aged 17: Jenn Broda Galatea, aged 25: Matea Bracic Carmen, aged 28: Devorah Allen Cristina, aged 16: Sonia A Sewing Girl, aged 20: Son of the Exiles Don Guillermo, aged 40: Adrian Stephens Alberto, aged 22: Tomas Peter Don Luis, aged 55: ToddHW Augusto, aged 25 : Andrew Gaunce Andres, aged 30: David Purdy Stage directions: MichaelMaggs

By: D. H. Lawrence (1885-1930)

Book cover Widowing of Mrs Holroyd

Mrs. Holroyd is married to a loutish miner, who drinks, apparently patronizes prostitutes, and apparently brutalizes her. When a gentlemanly neighbor makes romantic advances to her, she wishes her husband dead. - Summary by Michele Eaton Cast List: Stage Directions: Scarbo Jack: silverquill Clara: Dtcastid Blackmore: MrsHand Mrs Holroyd: EltonTheSnowman Holroyd: alanmapstone Minnie: shreyasethi Grandmother: Availle Manager: ToddHW Rigley: alanmapstone First Bearer: Salvationist Laura: LaurenEmma3 Second Bearer: ChuckW

By: Adam Oehlenschläger (1779-1850)

Book cover Aladdin, Or, The Wonderful Lamp (A Dramatic Poem, in Two Parts)

This retelling of Aladdin in dramatic verse begins in the humble home of a tailor, whose son spends his days in idleness and brings his parents nothing but grief. Soon, however, this son is brought to a magical grotto, where he finds a great treasure which will bring him his fortune. This story will have some twists and turns that are almost certain to be different from the story you know. - Summary by Devorah AllenCast: Tomas Peter: AladdinJenn Broda: Gulnare, the PrincessMichele Eaton: Nurse to...

By: Various

Book cover One-Act Play Collection 014

Here, in our 14th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from the farm to the courtroom to the palace throne room; from the time of suffragettes to the far distant future of 1999; and two of them have the word "sweet" in their titles. Short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Floyd Dell died in 1969 and that play may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries...

By: Robert Dodsley (1703-1764)

Book cover Cleone. A Tragedy

This is a play in 5 acts. From the playwright's preface: "An imperfect hint towards the Fable of the following Tragedy was taken from the Legend of St. Genevieve written originally in French, and translated into English about an hundred years ago by Sir William Lower." It tells a story of jealousy and deceit turning friend against friend to acquire wealth and love. - Summary by Joshua Seeger

By: Arthur Wing Pinero (1855-1934)

Book cover Times

Percy Egerton-Bompas, M.P., and Mrs Bompas have secrets in their family. Which promise grave difficulties as they try to marry off their daughter. To say nothing of the potential political implications to a promising career.... A comedy. Which, with Pinero, does not preclude serious topics being seriously addressed. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Percy Egerton-Bompas, M.P.: Adrian Stephens Mrs. Egerton-Bompas: Sonia Howard, their son: Dale Burgess Beryl, their daughter: thestorygirl Countess of Ripstow: TJ Burns Denham, Viscount Lurgashall, her son: Tomas Peter Hon...

By: Various

Book cover One-Act Play Collection 015

Here, in our 15th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from the mid-1600s to the early 1900s, from outright farce to bittersweet relationships, all short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. NOTE: Although the plays here were all published before 1923 and hence are in the Public Domain in the U.S., Moeller died in 1958 while the death dates for Postgate, Crandall, and Bornstead are unknown. Their plays may not yet be in the Public Domain in some countries....

By: Jerome K. Jerome (1859-1927)

Book cover Fanny and the Servant Problem

"It is so sad when relations don't get on together." "Sadder still when they think they've got a right to trample on you, just because you happen to be an orphan and - I don't want to talk about my relations. I want to forget them. I stood them for nearly six months. I don't want to be reminded of them. I want to forget that they ever existed." She is not going to have her wish. Oh, no, not at all. A comedy. - Summary by ToddHW Cast list: Fanny: Devorah Allen Vernon Wetherell, Lord Bantock...

By: R. C. Carton (1853-1928)

Book cover Lady Huntworth's Experiment

Lady Huntworth is in disguise and under cover as a cook. She entertains a number of men and the comedy ensues.- Summary by Michele Eaton Stage Directions: wib66 Captain Dorvastan: adrianstephens Reverend Audley Pillenger: toddhw Reverend Thorsby: Tchaikovsky Gandy: alanmapstone Newspaper Boy: David Purdy Mr Crayll: Larry Wilson Miss Hannah Pillenger: Annie Mars Lucy Pillenger: Matea Bracic Keziah: April6090 Caroline Rayward: Adrienne Prevost

By: Nicholas Rowe (1674-1718)

Book cover Jane Shore: A Tragedy

Covering some of the plot of Shakespeare's Richard III, Jane Shore focuses on the mistress of the late Edward IV, also known as "The White Queen". In this short tragedy, Jane tries to thwart Richard's rise to power while experiencing love, betrayal, forgiveness, and an unexpected visitor who arrives in disguise. Cast ListLord Hastings: Tchaikovsky Duke of Gloster: ToddHW Belmour: Adrian Stephens Sir Richard Ratcliffe: Wayne Cooke Sir William Catesby: Alan Mapstone Dumont: Tomas Peter Jane Shore: Michele Eaton Alicia: WendyKatzHiller Jane's Servant: Larry Wilson Alicia's Servant: B. Jones Stage Directions: Adrienne Prevost

By: Various

Book cover One-Act Play Collection 016

Here, in our 16th collection, are 10 One Act Plays for your enjoyment. They range from Moliere to Jane Austen, from Comedy to Tragedy, all in short gems to make you laugh, cry, think, or all three. - Summary by ToddHW Cast lists: 1. Hyacinth Halvey by Lady Augusta Gregory. BC for this play is wib66 Stage Directions: Joanna Michal Hoyt Hyacinth Halvey: ToddHW Fardy Farrel: Krista Zaleski Mrs Delane: Michele Eaton James Quirke: Greg Giordano Sergeant Carden: James R. Hedrick Miss Joyce: gracenfisk224 2...

By: Noël Coward (1899-1973)

Book cover Vortex

Noel Coward explores the darker side of the roaring twenties in this early play. It focuses on an ageing beauty who uses affairs with younger men to keep her feeling relevant, and her son who is back from Paris after a year performing as a pianist and acquiring a cocaine habit. Set in the effervescent world of the socialite set, with plenty of the wit and charm that Coward is known for, The Vortex is, nonetheless, a powerful depiction of people who struggle to be completely honest with themselves...

By: W. Somerset Maugham (1874-1965)

Book cover Lady Frederick, a Comedy in Three Acts

Lady Frederick is a comedy by the British writer W. Somerset Maugham, written early in his career. The play was first seen in London in 1907, and was very successful, running for 422 performances. The title role was played by Ethel Irving. In New York it was first performed in 1908, with Lady Frederick played by Ethel Barrymore, who reprised her role in the play's film adaptation, The Divorcee. In the play, Lady Frederick is an Irish widow, seriously in debt; she must deal with suitors who have various motives for proposing marriage, and with the man with whom she once had an affair...

By: Titus Maccius Plautus (254 BCE-184 BCE)

Book cover Captives

Though with some of Plautus's usual comic elements , this is a rare serious play by him looking at slavery and prisoners of war among the various Greek states. From the Prologue: "Really, it will be worth your while to give your attention to this play.... Don't you be afraid because I've said that there's war between the Aetolians and the Eleans. There , at a distance, beyond the scenes, the battles will be fought. For this were almost impossible for a Comic establishment, that we should at a moment attempt to be acting tragedy...


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