Nick Hern Books

NHB Modern Plays

The NHB Modern Plays series features the pick of modern and contemporary plays from leading UK and international playwrights. Championing quality, accessibility and diversity, it takes the best writing for the stage and gives it enduring life on the page.

Showing 91-108 of 1,565 items.
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.

The Grand Old Opera House Hotel

The Grand Old Opera House Hotel

By Isobel McArthur

An uplifting ensemble comedy set to some of the most popular opera songs ever written. Premiered at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh, and Dundee Rep.

Lady Dealer

Lady Dealer

By Martha Watson Allpress

A mile-a-minute, one-person poem play about a young female drug dealer, exploring forgiveness, the exhaustion of trying, and mistaking self-destruction for self-preservation. Premiered at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

England & Son

England & Son

By Ed Edwards

A one-man play about disaster capitalism, empire, Thatcherite politics, stolen youth, stolen wealth and a working-class boy who just wants his dad to smile at him. First performed by the celebrated political comedian Mark Thomas in Paines Plough's Roundabout during the 2023 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Word-Play

Word-Play

By Rabiah Hussain

A play about what happens when a Prime Minister ad-libs on live TV, exploring how language seeps into public consciousness and reverberates with far-reaching consequences that will last for generations. Premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Thrown

Thrown

By Nat McCleary

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

Grenfell: in the words of survivors

Grenfell: in the words of survivors

By Gillian Slovo

A powerful verbatim play drawn from the testimony of those at the heart of the Grenfell Tower tragedy. Premiered at the National Theatre, London, in 2023.

The Crown Jewels

The Crown Jewels

By Simon Nye

A riotous comedy based on the scarcely believable true story of the greatest heist of all time: the theft of the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. From the creator of TV's Men Behaving Badly and The Durrells.

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden (stage version)

By Frances Hodgson Burnett Adapted by Elizabeth Newman

A delightful stage adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett's enduring tale of transformation and healing through nature.

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.

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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.

I Fucked You in My Spaceship

I Fucked You in My Spaceship

By Louis Emmitt-Stern

A razor-sharp sci-fi comedy-drama about sex and relationships, winner of the Origins Award for Outstanding New Work at VAULT Festival, London.

A Strange Loop

A Strange Loop

By Michael R. Jackson

A blistering original musical about a young artist at war with a host of demons. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, as well as Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical at the Tony Awards.

Accidental Death of an Anarchist

Accidental Death of an Anarchist

By Dario Fo and Franca Rame Adapted by Tom Basden

Dario Fo and Franca Rame's riotous satire, in a hilarious, bang-up-to-date adaptation by BAFTA-nominated comedy writer Tom Basden.

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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.

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.

Hope has a Happy Meal

Hope has a Happy Meal

By Tom Fowler

A surreal play about a frenetic quest through a hyper-capitalist country, premiered at the Royal Court Theatre, London.

Modest

Modest

By Ellen Brammar

 

A thrilling collision of music hall, cabaret and drag king swagger, in a play that tells the true story of Elizabeth Thompson, a pioneering megastar of the Victorian art scene.

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