SCRIPT BANK SCRIPTS - AVAILABLE TO PERFORM

Scene Three Creative offers a selection of original playscripts, performed by professional companies such as Channel Theatre Company, Northampton Theatre Royal and Chalkfoot Theatre Arts.

These play scripts for amateur performance are designed for a small casts playing multiple roles, but can be adapted to suit bigger cast sizes.  See also our selection of pantomime scripts for amateur companies. Both professional and amateur performing rights are available on application.

Scroll down for a list of available titles with a summary of the plot and characters: Scripts for OPEN AIR PERFORMANCE can be found at the bottom of the page.

“Running for Glory”

Written by Philip Dart.  Minimum cast of 3m (with doubling).

Originally directed by Philip Dart with movement direction by Lawrence Evans

A vivid, dramatic account of the lives of two iconic British sportsmen, using movement sequences to capture the excitement of Olympic competition.

This acclaimed new play is a new exploration of the lives and ambitions of British athletes who took part in the 1924 Paris Olympics.  Written to integrate movement sequences (including races, a rugby match and athletic warm-ups) with the spoken word, the play follows the careers of Eric Liddell (the athlete who refused to run on a Sunday) and Harold Abrahams (a runner who became a well-known sports reporter); documenting the tensions between these two very different personalities during the run-up to the Olympic Games.

“A fine piece of topical theatre” - Susan Elkin, The Stage

“The Riddle of the Sands”

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Erskine Childers.  Cast of 2m (requires extensive doubling so cast size could be expanded).

A fast moving, tongue-in-cheek play that requires split-second multi-role playing.  

This new play, first performed in 2009, received critical acclaim when it was showcased at the Jermyn Street Theatre in London's West End. Adapted from the well-known novel by Erskine Childers, the play is set in the period just before the first World War, when Germany was building up its military capability. 

Sailing enthusiast Davies sends an invitation to ex-university chum Carruthers (now working in the Foreign Office) to join him for a sailing holiday in the German Frisian Islands.  Carruthers accepts, only to find that the luxury vessel he imagined is, in fact, a tiny converted tugboat.  Matters go from bad to worse when Davies' real reason for the invitation is revealed, and the mood of the piece changes from a gentle British comedy into a tense spy thriller.

“May I recommend a first-class two-man show. This is an adaptation of the novel The Riddle of the Sands by Erskine Childers. I can honestly say it was 90 minutes of pure, old-fashioned entertainment; skill, imagination and never a dull moment”

Mary Killen, The Spectator

“Jolly, brisk and beguiling”. *** “This stage version, adapted and directed by Philip Dart, has much in common with Patrick Barlow's jocular take on Buchan's The 39 Steps, which is still pleasing the crowds in the West End.”

The Times

“Dart's two hander really hits its stride *** miniature boats and silhouetted figures add atmosphere to the satisfyingly low budget, gently tongue-in-cheek staging”

Time Out

“The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists”

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Robert Tressell.  Minimum cast of 3m, 1f with extensive doubling: can be played by a cast of 13

Philip Dart's adaptation does full justice to Robert Tressell's searing account of a year in the lives of a group of working men living on the breadline in Edwardian England.  Tressell's iconic book played a significant role in the movement to improve conditions for the working man at the beginning of the last century and the play follows a group of impoverished painters and decorators in the seaside town of Hastings, showing the moving plight of individual workers and exposing the ruthlessness of their penny-pinching employers.

“This was a superb play, thought-provoking, enthralling and beautifully acted, with Tressell's humour always bubbling beneath the surface.”

Sian Napier - Kentish Gazette

“It's the simplicity of this production that is so effective. The small cast works admirably to bring over a dozen characters to life.”

Jill Sharp - British Theatre Guide

“The Prisoner of Zenda” 

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Anthony Hope (1894). Cast size M 3-5F1-2

It's 1956 and the movies have finally reached Tollinghurst Village Hall.  An excited audience awaits a showing of The Prisoner of Zenda when local entrepreneur Malcolm Storey's second hand projector breaks down. In order to save the day, members of TADS - the village amateur dramatic society - decide to enact this swashbuckling adventure story themselves, with hilarious results.

First publicly performed by Chalkfoot in 2013.

“Swashbuckling, farcically entertaining tale.”  The Stage

“Emma”

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Jane Austen. Cast of 1m, 3f

This is a witty and elegant adaptation of Jane Austen's much-loved classic novel.  Simplicity of staging and a pared-down cast create a strong focus on Emma's own conflicted personality.

In this adaptation the male roles are played by a single actor, but the cast size could be expanded.

'Philip Dart's adaptation of Jane Austen's classic story Emma was a tour de force.' KM Gazette

“The Haunted Hotel”

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Wilkie Collins.  Cast size 3f, 3m.

When a troubled Italian countess arrives at a London doctor's surgery, it begins a surreal turn of events driven by a supernatural presence that haunts of one of Venice's most fashionable hotels.

In Philip Dart's stage adaptation of “The Haunted Hotel”, Wilkie Collins' popular Victorian thriller is framed by a dramatic situation that reflects events in the novel itself: a Victorian actor-manager invites London's leading actor and actress to a midnight read-through of a play - recounting his family's experiences in Venice - that he hopes will turn around the fortunes of his failing theatre.

“Abounds in gothic atmosphere” - The Guardian

“The Sea Morgan's Child”

Written by Claudia Leaf, cast size minimum 1m, 3f (capacity for larger cast performance and depending on performance style, can provide roles for children and young people)

Written to appeal to both adults and children, The Sea Morgan's Child is based on the West Country legend of a young couple who find a sea morgan's baby (akin to a mermaid) on the sea shore.  Their decision to raise the baby as their own (after their own child has died) leads to friction within the community as the girl grows up to be different from the other village children, longing for something she can't define or understand.

“This timeless retelling of a near-forgotten legend is about loss, adoption, over-protectiveness, acceptance, pain, grief, happiness, rejection and exclusion. It's a lot to pack in to the playing time but Claudia Leaf's direction is eloquent. The result is a powerful and pretty topical piece.“ The Stage

“Jane Eyre” 

Adapted by Philip Dart from the novel by Charlotte Bronte, cast sizes m 1-3, f 3-14.

In focusing more on Jane's early history and friendships, this delightful, small-scale adaptation puts the mousy, submissive Jane of numerous film and television adaptations to one side and reflects the strong character portrayed in Charlotte Bronte's novel.

Two professional productions of this play have been toured by Channel Theatre Company and Northampton Theatre Royal.

“Queen Elizabeth's Elephant”

Written by Claudia Leaf.  Cast sizes m 3-5, f 1-3 plus spoken chorus of any size (script can be performed by 4 actors)

It's 1588 and the people of a small town are awaiting the arrival of an unusual royal gift: an elephant.

Based on an obscure and ancient legend from north Kent, Queen Elizabeth's Elephant follows the fortunes of Mayor William Garton as he marshals his town in readiness for its unexpected guest. Residents are split between those who fear the beast's arrival and others who see a chance to cash in on curious visitors.  In order to silence the opposition Mayor Garton consults a Dutch elephant 'expert' who is not quite as he seems. As preparations reach fever pitch it appears there are darker forces at work in the little town of Queenborough, threatening disaster for William Garton and his followers.

“An imaginative and entertaining tale”  The Stage

“The Great Christmas Tree Adventure”

Written by Philip Dart with music and lyrics by Julian Ronnie. Cast size 2m 3f plus a chorus of children

When Griselda, the tattered, mean, bad-tempered fairy from the top of the Christmas tree, is finally replaced by a newer version, the other decorations look forward to their best Christmas ever.  But celebrations are short lived as Griselda emerges from the waste bin with her gang of discarded paper chains, prepared to use every trick in the book to get back on top”.

Will Griselda return to rule over the tree or will Tommy the Chocolate Soldier, Isabel the Bell, Twinks the new fairy and Mr Frosty the old-fashioned snowman finally triumph?

This action-packed, festive family show offers lots of audience participation and a catchy musical score with witty lyrics.

First public performance by Channel Theatre Company at the Stag Theatre, Sevenoaks.

“The Greasepaint Troops”

A play with music written by Philip Dart. 4m 2f (1m must be a pianist)

The Greasepaint Troops is about a wartime group of entertainers, playing the area of southern Britain known as “Hellfire Corner” during the Battle of Britain.   This troupe, employed by the Entertainments National Service Association (ENSA), is made up of Roland - Company Manager and pianist, Harry Harbottle - an embitteredcomedian, April Rose - a flirtatious 'soubrette', Dickie - a young magician and Patricia, a talented soprano who has recently joined the team.

The relationships formed within this small group are inevitably affected by the stresses and strains of playing to Britain's airmen in an area which is so vulnerable to enemy attack.  Harry and Roland are constantly at loggerheads: Dickie falls in love with April, while married Patricia is deeply affected by her meeting with Peter, a young Spitfire pilot whose life is constantly in danger.

Scenes are interspersed with extracts from the troupe's performance. This concept is flexible and different types of wartime light entertainment material can be introduced to suit the particular abilities of the cast.

“The Phoenix and the Carpet” 

Adapted by Philip Dart from E Nesbit's classic Edwardian children's novel. Cast size M3-7

When a mysterious egg hidden inside an old carpet hatches into a fabulous, magical bird, four children are whisked away from their nursery on a host of incredible adventures. The phoenix in question is the bird of ancient legend - beautiful and highly cultured - but extremely vain. The carpet, naturally, is magic! Leaving their Edwardian English home behind, they children embark on a journey to remember, visitingthe exotic delights of India, the French countryside and a desert island.

Puppetry was used extensively in the original production, with the cast sharing the voicing and animation of the Phoenix.

“Frankenstein! Or Spare Part Surgery” 

Written by Philip Dart with music and lyrics by Julian Ronnie. 3m 2f 1 musician/actor

The play is set in a run-down seaside cinema in 1963, with the cast taking the roles of cinema staff and 'Frankenstein' characters. As the classic horror film 'Frankenstein' begins to roll, a blood curdling scream can be heard from the projection box. After investigation it seems the projectionist has mysteriously disappeared, but rather than disappoint the audience, the manager and staff of the cinema decide to enact the film themselves: with hilarious results.

“The School for Wives” 

Translated by Anthony Wise and adapted for the stage by Philip Dart . Cast size M3-5 F1

This farcical comedy, set in the mid 1960s, is based on Moliere's original play.

A rich, older man has his young wardtrained up - well away from the influence of other men - to be the perfect, submissive wife of his dreams. But true love knows no obstacle and when his fiance accidentally meets an eligible young man, her guardian's increasingly desperate attempts to keep them apart are all doomed to failure.

Moliere's portrayal of male insecurity is just as funny today - in a much more politically correct climate - as it was when the play was written in 1662.

“A Warning to the Curious” 

Adapted by Philip Dart from the ghost stories of M R James. Cast size 4m 1f (minimum)

M R James is the author of some of the most terrifying ghost stories of the Edwardian era. The play begins on Christmas Eve with a gathering of friends when James, the master storyteller, takes the opportunity to relate some of his best known supernatural tales such as 'The Casting of The Runes' and 'Oh Whistle, and I'll Come To You, My Lad'.

James' stories are vividly brought to life in this powerful dramatisation.

SCRIPTS FOR OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE

"Alice in Wonderland" 

A charming adaptation of the children's book by Lewis Carroll, written by Philip Dart and suitable for a cast of between 4 and 16 actors.  The production was originally performed with a cast of three men and one woman.

"THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS"

An enchanting version of Kenneth Grahame's classic children's novel, adapted by Philip Dart for open air performance.  Suitable for cast sizes between 5 and 15. The production was originally performed with a cast of four men and one woman. “The show captivated the audience with a funny and fresh adaptation written by Philip Dart.” Review by Henley Herald of the Dorchester Amateur Dramatics Society production, 2021.

"PETER PAN"

This highly acclaimed show was performed in Kensington Gardens with the support of Great Ormond Street Hospital.  Please note that any performance of this Peter Pan script must be subject to royalty payments to Philip Dart and Great Ormond Street Hospital. Details are given on Great Ormond Street Hospital's website.  The play is suitable for a cast size of between 5 and 10 actors, and was first performed by 2 women and three men.