We’ve been doing some number-crunching here at NHB and can now announce our top ten most performed plays for amateur performance from 2012. We were incredibly impressed with the diversity and scope of the plays that you chose to perform in your hundreds last year. Adaptations of classic novels, a supernatural epic and hard-hitting contemporary playwriting all feature. So, without further ado, I’m pleased to present our top ten in descending order…

1. Ladies’ Day – Amanda Whittington
2. Arabian Nights – Dominic Cooke
3. The Weir – Conor McPherson
4. Dracula – Bram Stoker, adapted by Liz Lochhead
5. Kindertransport – Diane Samuels
6. Good Things – Liz Lochhead
7. Jerusalem – Jez Butterworth
8. Animal Farm – George Orwell, adapted by Ian Wooldridge
9. His Dark Materials – Philip Pullman, adapted by Nicholas Wright
10. Ladies Down Under – Amanda Whittington

Special mention must go to Amanda Whittington and Liz Lochhead for getting two of their plays in our list, a wonderful testament to their enduring popularity.

If you want more information on any of these titles you can search for them on this website where you can download guide sheets for each title with cast breakdowns, synopses and extracts.

Congratulations to all our authors. Wonder who will make it in next year?

Kate Brower, Performing Rights Manager (Maternity Cover)