Nick Hern Books

Plays for One Performer

Discover fringe-theatre shows turned award-winning TV series, memoir-monologues, writer-actor collaborations and so many more excellent examples of solo shows in our collection below.

If you're a theatre-maker interested in creating your own solo show, there's no better place to start than with Making Your Solo Show: The Compact Guide, by Lisa Carroll and Milly Thomas – both experienced solo-show writers, who teach popular workshops on getting to grips with the form.

Discover 10 top tips to make your solo show memorable, an extract from Lisa and Milly's book over on our blog.

Showing 73-90 of 143 items.
LORENZO

LORENZO

By Ben Targét

A life-affirming story about the messiness of ageing and dying. Winner of a Fringe First award at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.

The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret

By Catherine Johnson

The alternating stories of two women (played by the same actress), both of whom 'lose' their sons - one murdered, the other a runaway.

Published in volume Singular Female Voices
    Madame Ovary

    Madame Ovary

    By Rosa Hesmondhalgh

    The heartbreaking and hilarious true story of the author's own experience of ovarian cancer.

    Maisie Says She Loves Me

    Maisie Says She Loves Me

    By Jimmy Osborne

    A one-man play about love, inheritance and not letting your feelings show.

    Misterman

    Misterman

    By Enda Walsh

    A virtuosic study of one man's descent into religious mania in small-town Ireland. This edition was published alongside the 2012 production at the National Theatre starring Cillian Murphy.

    misterman (2001 edition)

    misterman (2001 edition)

    By Enda Walsh

    A strange and haunting monologue from the acclaimed Irish playwright.

    Published in volume bedbound & misterman: two plays
      Misty

      Misty

      By Arinzé Kene

      An inventive blend of gig theatre, spoken word, live art and direct address, exploring the pulsating heart and underground soul of inner-city London.

      Mojo Mickybo: Three Plays

      Mojo Mickybo: Three Plays

      By Owen McCafferty

      Three astute, savvy early plays from Belfast writer Owen McCafferty.

      • Paperback£9.99 £7.99
        There is limited availability of this title. Please enquire before placing your order.
      Mongoose

      Mongoose

      By Peter Harness

      A strange and beguiling monologue about a loner obsessed with a malign companion called Mongoose.

      Published in volume Singular Male Voices
        The Motherhood Project

        The Motherhood Project

        Monologues and Reflections on Motherhood

        By various

        A collection of dramatic monologues and real-life reflections by some of the UK's leading writers, artists and thinkers, and explores all the guilt, joy and absurdity, the regrets, pressures and taboos surrounding motherhood.

        Mr Incredible

        Mr Incredible

        By Camilla Whitehill

        A brutal one-man play about modern love and old-fashioned entitlement.

        Mr Incredible (VAULT version)

        Mr Incredible (VAULT version)

        By Camilla Whitehill

        A monologue about love and entitlement by Camilla Whitehill, author of Where Do Little Birds Go?, who was described by The Times as 'a writer of huge promise'.

        Published in volume Plays from VAULT
          Mrs Delgado

          Mrs Delgado

          By Mike Bartlett

          A funny and poignant play for one actor that tells a story of desire, control, raised blinds and lowered boundaries. This edition also includes the monologue Phoenix.

          • Paperback£9.99 £7.99
            There is limited availability of this title. Please enquire before placing your order.
          • Ebook£9.99 £7.99
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          My Name is Rachel Corrie

          My Name is Rachel Corrie

          By Rachel Corrie Edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner

          The moving account of the life and early death of a young female activist, adapted from her own writings.

          My Name is Rachel Corrie

          My Name is Rachel Corrie (2017 edition)

          By Rachel Corrie Edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner

          The moving account of the life and early death of a young female activist, adapted from her own writings.

          My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?)

          My Son's a Queer (But What Can You Do?)

          By Rob Madge

          A joyous, chaotic, autobiographical play telling the story of actor, writer and social-media sensation Rob Madge as they set out to recreate a Disney parade they performed as a twelve-year-old for their Grandma.

          The Naked Eye

          The Naked Eye

          By Jez Butterworth

          A short monologue play from the author of Jerusalem.

          Published in volume Jez Butterworth Plays: One
            A Night in November

            A Night in November

            By Marie Jones

            The multi-award-winning playwright explores the subjects of football and sectarianism, set during the 1994 World Cup.

            Published in volume Stones in His Pockets & A Night in November: Two Plays
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