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Nick Hern Books

Plays for Young People (12-18 years)

This section lists plays that are especially suited to young people aged 12 and above, for reading, study or performance. Please note that some of the plays included here contain adult language and/or tackle challenging issues. We're always happy to advise on the suitability of any of our plays: send us an email at info@nickhernbooks.co.uk, or call us on 020 8749 4953.

See also Plays for children (under 12 years)

Showing 163-180 of 201 items.
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story (stage version)

By Charles Dickens Adapted by Mark Gatiss

A spine-tingling stage adaptation that is faithful to the heart and spirit of Charles Dickens' much-loved festive ghost story – with an emphasis on the ghostly.

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol (Old Vic stage version)

By Charles Dickens Adapted by Jack Thorne

Charles Dickens' timeless classic, brought to life in a joyous new adaptation by Jack Thorne.

The IT

The IT

By Vivienne Franzmann

A darkly comic state-of-the-nation play exploring adolescent mental health and the rage within. Winner of the Best Play for Young Audiences Award at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards 2023.

My Family and Other Animals

My Family and Other Animals (stage version)

By Gerald Durrell Adapted by Janys Chambers

A delightful and inventive stage version of Gerald Durrell's well-loved memoir of a childhood growing up in Corfu.

Spring Awakening: A Musical

Spring Awakening: A Musical

By Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik

The groundbreaking rock musical about teenage sexuality, with book and lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik.

The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage

The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage (stage version)

By Philip Pullman Adapted by Bryony Lavery

The stage version of Philip Pullman's The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, which is set twelve years before the epic His Dark Materials trilogy. Two young people and their dæmons, with everything at stake, find themselves at the centre of a terrifying manhunt.

Tuesday

Tuesday

With a Welsh-language translation, Un Bore Mawrth

By Alison Carr Translated by Daf James

A funny and playful drama written specifically for young people, about what happens when the world literally turns upside-down. Bilingual edition: includes the original English play with a Welsh-language translation, Un Bore Mawrth, by playwright Daf James.

Two Billion Beats

Two Billion Beats

By Sonali Bhattacharyya

An insightful, heartfelt coming-of-age story and a blazing account of inner-city, British-Asian teenage life.

The Bone Sparrow

The Bone Sparrow (stage version)

By Zana Fraillon Adapted by S. Shakthidharan

A stage adaptation of Zana Fraillon's powerful and deeply moving novel about the displacement and treatment of refugees and sanctuary seekers in Australia.

Wonder Boy

Wonder Boy

By Ross Willis

A play about the power of finding your own voice, revolving around a twelve-year-old boy with a stammer. Winner of the Best Play Award at the Writers' Guild of Great Britain Awards.

Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre (stage version)

By Charlotte Brontë Adapted by Chris Bush

A witty and fleet-footed adaptation that lays bare the beating heart of Charlotte Brontë's classic novel, whilst staying true to its revolutionary spirit.

The Maladies

The Maladies

By Carmen Nasr

A powerful, provocative play exploring psychogenic illness amongst groups of women throughout history, premiered by the Almeida Young Company.

A-Typical Rainbow

A-Typical Rainbow

By JJ Green

An uplifting play about the experience of growing up neurodivergent and queer in early 2000s Britain, based on real events from the perspective of the writer and the autistic community.

Little Women

Little Women (stage version)

By Louisa May Alcott Adapted by Anne-Marie Casey

A joyful and spirited adaptation of one of the best-loved novels of all time.

The Trials

The Trials

By Dawn King

A searing play set in a near-future world, where those responsible for the climate emergency are being judged by a younger generation.

Happy Meal

Happy Meal

By Tabby Lamb

A joyful trans rom-com for the stage, following two initial strangers on their journeys from teen to adult; from MySpace to TikTok; from cis to trans...

Othello

Othello (Frantic Assembly version)

By William Shakespeare Adapted by Scott Graham and Steven Hoggett

Frantic Assembly's electrifying take on Shakespeare's tragedy of paranoia, sex and murder, firmly rooted in a volatile twenty-first century.

Jekyll and Hyde

Jekyll and Hyde (stage version)

By Robert Louis Stevenson Adapted by Neil Bartlett

An inventive, brilliantly theatrical adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's darkly fascinating tale of male violence, guilt and privilege.

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