Nick Hern Books
New Titles
Strategic Love Play

Strategic Love Play

By Miriam Battye

A Fringe First-winning play that, with acid wit, takes a scalpel to modern romance.

Tambo & Bones

Tambo & Bones

By Dave Harris

A daring theatrical exploration of the intersection of race, capitalism and performance, by slam poet turned playwright Dave Harris.

Testmatch

Testmatch

By Kate Attwell

 A funny and provocative play about women's cricket, colonial India and the mythology of fair play. 

Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World

Things Hidden Since the Foundation of the World

By Javaad Alipoor With Chris Thorpe

A cutting-edge drama – part free-wheeling lecture, part podcast and part play – investigating the disappearance of Iranian pop sensation and refugee Fereydoun Farrokhzad in 1992.

This Might Not Be It

This Might Not Be It

By Sophia Chetin-Leuner

A candid portrayal of mental health services in the NHS, premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2024.

Thrown

Thrown

By Nat McCleary

A poignant, dynamic play exploring belonging and identity, premiered by the National Theatre of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival.

Till the Stars Come Down

Till the Stars Come Down

By Beth Steel

A heartbreaking and hilarious portrayal of a larger-than-life family struggling to come to terms with a changing world.

The Time Machine: A Comedy

The Time Machine: A Comedy

By Steven Canny and John Nicholson

A fast-paced, wise-cracking, riotous play, loosely based on H.G. Wells's masterpiece, that zips from the nineteenth century to the end of the world, and (with any luck) back again.

twins

twins

By James Fritz

A short play about twins whose lives diverge, first performed at the Arcola Theatre, London, in 2015.

untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play

untitled f*ck m*ss s**gon play

By Kimber Lee

A powerful, hilarious play exploding lifetimes of repeating Asian stereotypes, winner of the International Award for the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2019. Published alongside its staging at the Manchester International Festival 2023.

The Village

The Village

By Abi Falase and Tatenda Shamiso

A punchy and provocative story about democracy, power, and how we can try to build a better world. In the Nick Hern Books Multiplay Drama series featuring large-cast plays specifically written to be performed by and appeal to young people.

Wellington 24

Wellington 24

By Rachel Harper

An upbeat and empowering World War II tale about teamwork, collaboration and beating the odds. In the Nick Hern Books Multiplay Drama series featuring large-cast plays specifically written to be performed by and appeal to young people.

What Actors Do

What Actors Do

Advice to the Players in Seven Paradoxes and a Manifesto

By Mike Alfreds

Revered theatre director Mike Alfreds explores the wellspring of the actor's craft. Frank, uncompromising and full of sharply focused insights, this book will show you how to generate truthful performances by trusting your inner creativity and remaining radically open, responsive and present in every moment.

When This Is Over

When This Is Over

A Blueprint for Creating Your Own Production, and the Original Playscript

By Ned Glasier, Sadeysa Greenaway-Bailey and Company Three

A theatrical celebration of hope, possibility and imagination, designed to be created and performed by teenage casts, drawing directly on their own life experiences and the stories they want to tell. Winner, Outstanding Drama Initiative at the Music and Drama Education Awards.

When Winston Went to War with the Wireless

When Winston Went to War with the Wireless

By Jack Thorne

A gripping and timely play about Winston Churchill, the 1920s General Strike and the birth of the BBC.

Where Sat the Lovers

Where Sat the Lovers

By Carys D. Coburn With MALAPROP Theatre

A play about codes, hallucinations, Isaac Newton, war crimes, seeing meaning where there's none and vice versa. First staged by MALAPROP Theatre at the 2021 Dublin Fringe Festival.

The Wife of Cyncoed

The Wife of Cyncoed

By Matt Hartley

A charming and open-hearted one-woman play about self-discovery later in life.

The Wife of Cyncoed & Idyll: two plays

The Wife of Cyncoed & Idyll: two plays

By Matt Hartley

Two plays by Matt Hartley: his entertaining one-woman play, The Wife of Cyncoed, premiered at the Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, in 2024; and Idyll, a captivating short play premiered by Pentabus Theatre in 2021.