Nick Hern Books
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The Red Shoes

The Red Shoes (stage version)

By Nancy Harris Original author Hans Christian Andersen

A contemporary retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's extraordinary fairytale of dance, desire and destruction. Performed in this version by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2024.

Wolves on Road

Wolves on Road

By Beru Tessema

A thrilling play offering a deep-dive into the mysterious world of cryptocurrency, revealing how ambition and hope can be exploited, no matter the system at play. Premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2024.

Tender

Tender

By Eleanor Tindall

A chance meeting leads to giddy kisses in a play about two women who find each other without even knowing they were looking. Premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2024.

Nick Hern Books Playscript Subscription – EBOOK, 6 Months

Nick Hern Books Playscript Subscription – EBOOK, 6 Months

Receive one newly published NHB playscript each month for six months – the perfect way to keep you up to date with the most exciting contemporary plays by today’s top writers, from the UK’s leading theatre publisher.

Nick Hern Books Playscript Subscription – EBOOK, 12 Months

Nick Hern Books Playscript Subscription – EBOOK, 12 Months

Receive one newly published NHB playscript each month for twelve months – the perfect way to keep you up to date with the most exciting contemporary plays by today’s top writers, from the UK’s leading theatre publisher.

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist

Robin Hood and the Christmas Heist

By Chris Bush and Matt Winkworth

A charming retelling of the Robin Hood adventure - festive fun for all the family. Premiered at the Rose Theatre, Kingston, in 2024.

Cyrano

Cyrano

By Virginia Gay Original author Edmond Rostand

A joyous, gender-flipped retelling of Edmond Rostand's classic play, first performed by Melbourne Theatre Company, and a hit at the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe before transferring to Park Theatre, London.

Life Raft

Life Raft

By Fin Kennedy Original author Georg Kaiser Contributions by Tassos Stevens

A thrilling large-cast play for young actors exploring the psychology of survival – and an urgent allegory for our times. Plus a series of interactive games specially created by award-winning games designer Tassos Stevens, to facilitate a deeper exploration of the play's themes.

A Good House

A Good House

By Amy Jephta

A funny, thrilling and provocative play exploring race, resentment and community politics, from a leading South African playwright.

Screenwriting

Screenwriting

The Craft and The Career

By Philip Shelley

The authoritative, practical guide to screenwriting, laying out everything you need to be a successful screenwriter for film and television. Written by one of the UK's leading script editors, consultants and producers.

REVENGE: After the Levoyah

REVENGE: After the Levoyah

By Nick Cassenbaum

A Jewish heist comedy that combines madcap action and biting political satire, winner of an Edinburgh Fringe First Award and a Summerhall Lustrum Award.

An Interrogation

An Interrogation

By Jamie Armitage

A nail-biting drama about justice and deception, from the director of the smash hit SIX: The Musical. Critically acclaimed at the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and transferred to Hampstead Theatre in 2025.

The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles (stage version - new edition)

By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson

A revised, definitive version of this riotously funny take on the celebrated Sherlock Holmes story, a firm favourite with theatre companies, both professional and amateur.

...blackbird hour

...blackbird hour

By babirye bukilwa

A visceral and moving exploration of caring, belonging, and a queer Black woman's attempts to love herself. Premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2025.

The Years

The Years

By Annie Ernaux Adapted by Eline Arbo

The official West End edition of the powerful stage adaptation of Nobel Prize winner Annie Ernaux's critically acclaimed 'masterpiece' (Guardian), published alongside the West End production in 2025.

Oedipus

Oedipus

By Sophocles Adapted by Ella Hickson

An intimate and revelatory version of Sophocles' transcendent tragedy, premiered at the Old Vic, London, in 2025, starring Rami Malek and Indira Varma.

Churchill in Moscow

Churchill in Moscow

By Howard Brenton

A gripping stage play dramatising the historic meeting of two unpredictable titans, Churchill and Stalin, in Moscow in 1942, as history teeters on a knife-edge. Premiered at the Orange Tree Theatre, Richmond, in 2025.

Unicorn

Unicorn

By Mike Bartlett

An explicit, funny and provocative play about a married couple looking to add sparkle to their relationship. Premiered in London's West End in 2025.