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 109-126 of 143 items.
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.

Prima Facie

Prima Facie

By Suzie Miller

A brilliant, powerful play for a solo actor, about a young, successful barrister forced to confront the patriarchal power of the law. Winner of Best New Play at the Olivier Awards and WhatsOnStage Awards in 2023.

Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her)

Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her)

By Martha Watson Allpress

A powerful play for one actor about a woman recovering from an abusive relationship.

Age is a Feeling

Age is a Feeling

By Haley McGee

A gripping one-person play that wrestles with the glorious and melancholy uncertainties of human life, from the author of The Ex-Boyfriend Yard Sale.

Fleabag: The Welsh Edition

Fleabag: The Welsh Edition

By Phoebe Waller-Bridge Adapted by Branwen Davies

A Welsh language adaptation of the hit play by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, first staged by Theatr Clwyd in 2023.

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.

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.

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.

Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen

Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen

By Marcelo Dos Santos

A new edition of the dark and biting one-man show starring Samuel Barnett at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2023.

Boy Parts

Boy Parts (stage version)

By Eliza Clark Adapted by Gillian Greer

A pitch-black psychological thriller based on the critically acclaimed debut novel by Eliza Clark. Premiered at Soho Theatre, London.

Dreaming and Drowning

Dreaming and Drowning

By Kwame Owusu

An intimate and visceral play that dives into the mind of a young Black queer man wrestling with anxiety. Premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in 2023.

HEART

HEART

By Jade Anouka

A raw and honest exploration of love, loss, and self-discovery. The debut play by acclaimed actor Jade Anouka.

Peak Stuff

Peak Stuff

By Billie Collins

A fast-paced, funny play offering a deep-dive into consumer culture: in an age of retail therapy, climate crisis and click and collect - how does our 'stuff' define us?

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.

Eight

Eight

By Ella Hickson

Eight compelling monologues offering a state-of-the-nation group portrait for the stage.

Bombshells

Bombshells

By Joanna Murray-Smith

Six funny and perceptive monologues about the stresses of modern female life.

Zoo and Twelve Comic Monologues for Women

Zoo and Twelve Comic Monologues for Women

By Lily Bevan

A wildly inventive comedy drama about courage, female friendship and flamingos. This volume also includes twelve comic monologues for female performers.

Glee & Me

Glee & Me

By Stuart Slade

A touching drama about a teenage girl diagnosed with a brain tumour, an unexpectedly optimistic portrayal of love and the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit.

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