Character driven theatre plays for solo or group performances
ActUp's plays combine elements of intrigue, humour and surrealism anchored by strong characters and storylines.
NEW: four new innovative shows combine drama, comedy and music.
The Nod
Remy shares page turning experiences while pianists play music. Remy describes interactions with pianists, and shares personal and friends’ page turning successes and mishaps. This innovative, entertaining and fun show integrates Remy monologues and up to five opportunities for one or more pianist/s to perform a selection of music.
Performer:1 Pianists: 1-5 Full length show: 1.5-2hrs
The Torchlight Sentry
Moss shares insights and humorous stories into the ushering experience while musicians play for the audience. Moss talks about their personal life, audience interactions and ushering adventures. There are up to five opportunities for musical performances (piano, guitar, song, band etc) in between Moss’s monologues.
Performer:1 Musicians: 1-5 Full length show: 1.5-2hrs
Elevator Pitch
A mix of humorous and serious monologues, conversations and gossip that people share with the audience while waiting for an elevator. At the same time, customer information officer Tommie, shares a range of observations with anyone willing to listen about customers, staff, elevators, passengers and the impending restructure.
Performers:11 Full length show: 1.5-2hrs
Wing Warriors
Stage crew life is all action managing a show’s technical rehearsal that includes five or more performance opportunities for musicians. Ash, Lee and Miki arrange sets, discuss relationships, life and work, perform an activity or two, and engage with the audience - all sandwiched in between actual musical performances.
There is maximum flexibility to incorporate a variety of local musical organisations or musicians eg singers, choirs, bands, guitarists, pianists, ensembles, organists, violinists, other musicians into the show.
Performers:3 Musicians or other performers: Numerous Full length show: 1.5-2hrs
CURRENT: the following one-act and full length plays have been produced by either solo performers, drama groups, theatre companies, radio or schools.
A Shallow Grave for the Falling Tear
Book Clubs, Sports Teams and Dance Classes
C’mon: Celebrating 60s, 70s and 80s New Zealand
Man With Head
Our School’s Great, Big, Variety Show Now On!
Rail Friends
Soldier Stale
Stretch
The Birthday Stain
The Brooding Sin
The Burning of Willi Bruell and the Reincarnation of Ben Chuckles
The Coloured Room Through The B&W Window
The Great Squat And The Potato
The Tin Cross
The Urinal, Mrs Fish And The Prime Minister
Touch Sevens
Tuesday's Stranger
Two Gnomes, A Fishing Pole And A Crusty Tale
Woman With Head
ActUpStar plays
Licensing and production enquiries
A Shallow Grave for the Falling Tear
Slater and Moirette are under threat from a mysterious person called Scundenthorpe.
Pinteresque tale of menace. Cast: 2
Book Clubs, Sports Teams and Dance Classes
The school sports team win and go through the national finals but unfortunately the school business class loses the sports team’s money through poor investments. Although the school dance team try to help, they come second in the dance competition and all their efforts seem futile until the school book club comes to the rescue. Cast: 26
C’mon: Celebrating 60s, 70s and 80s New Zealand
The deadline’s rapidly approaching for a group of students to finish their history assignment on life in 60s, 70s and 80s New Zealand. Each act introduces a new decade. Seven speaking roles, and heaps of non-speaking roles, this script incorporates singing, dancing and aerobics. APRA rights are required for the use of songs. Seven speaking roles...Cast: 7-50
Drayton Slythe is a hospital patient. He tells the story of buying new shoes and laces, his best friend Charlie Chalker, laying eggs and the Talent Quest. Cast: 1
Our School’s Great, Big, Variety Show Now On!
After weeks of rehearsal finally word arrives that the performance rights for the school production have been revoked. All is gloom until one student suggests creating a production to showcase the talent of actual students within the school. With little time remaining all agree that this is a great idea and hold auditions. Suitable for large, multitalented casts (dancing, singing, skateboarding, etc.). Cast: 16
A black comedy involving a chance encounter on a train and Rachael's race to Gore leaving a gory trail. This show has been produced on stage and radio. Cast: 3
In a room in a strife-torn, bombed-out city, a woman reluctantly allows a stranger to enter. Shelter, warmth and human companionship have almost become unprocurable. Cast: 2
Aerobics comes to life as our group of friends decide to be a part of a fundraising performance. Being keen, though, is not the same as being competent and this is apparent after the first rehearsal. However, many rehearsals later the team is ready with movements galore, pumping music, lights and action. Cast: 6
Frank, just out of prison, Allison, Roxy and Tommy spring a surprise party for Father on his birthday. Menacing and sardonic, this is a gothic revenge drama. Cast: 5
Adjante works discontentedly in a cafe. She meets Max there and they return to the apartment that Adjante shares with Henri. Henri drives a red Chevrolet, spends a good deal of time in the wardrobe, and thinks that he is a hedgehog. A black comedy. Cast: 3
The Burning of Willi Bruell and the Reincarnation of Ben Chuckles
A two-hander set in a crematorium lavatory where two old souls are discussing their past lives and future hopes. But Willi is about to be burned for the last time. Cast: 2
The Coloured Room Through The B&W Window
Theresa and Monica, Siamese twins living in a boarding house run by Mary, are visited by Ben who is keen to move in. Cast: 4
The Great Squat And The Potato
Rua, Ilam and King Edward, the potato carriers, must outrun the chip mongers AND do business with the coal miners. Perhaps with co-operation they could all live together happily... Cast: 26
Two elderly people confront the world, and the Nursing Van from their park bench, with the support of their family of pet decoy ducks. Cast: 2
The Urinal, Mrs Fish And The Prime Minister
A before-and-after account, by Mrs Fish, of the Prime Minister's official visit to the urinal where she cleans. Cast: 1
Competition to play in the national finals is fierce between the girls’ and boys’ touch seven rugby teams. Off-field antics ensure on-field anxiety with unexpected results. Game can be played among the audience. Cast: 32
Ted and Euncie's routine is upset when Eunice invites a stranger to join them for tea on a Tuesday. A murderously funny two-hander. Cast: 2
Two Gnomes, A Fishing Pole And A Crusty Tale
Two gnomes discuss life's vicissitudes. Cast: 2
Draylee Slythe is a hospital patient. She tells the story of buying new shoes and laces, her best friend Charlie Chalker, laying eggs and the Talent Quest. This show has been produced on stage and radio. Cast: 1
Licensing and production enquiries
The Playmarket Agency issues and manages performance licences, manages royalty payments, circulates plays to producers and theatres in NZ and internationally. For all licensing and performance enquiries contact Playmarket.
Playmarket: Wellington - Level 2, 16 Cambridge Terrace, Wellington, New Zealand Auckland - Level 11, 44 - 52 Wellesley St, Auckland, New Zealand Mail: P.O.Box 9767, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand. Phone: +64 4 382 8462
Email: info@playmarket.org.nz Web: www.playmarket.org.nz