For Amateur Performance Rights, contact Playwrights Guild of Canada
For Professional Performance Rights, contact jsjacklinauthors@gmail.com
FULL-LENGTH PLAYS
2 Act Historical Drama
Run time: 105 minutes 15 Characters (Also available as a RADIO PLAY and can be performed by 4 actors, 2f & 2m)
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With the homeland under German fire and the mortal coil wound tight, the true story of Violet Macdonald is revealed. It tells of how this young woman from north east Yorkshire rises up from the strife of daily life, to find her way to a place that she never believed possible. Violet’s story is not so much about an extraordinary life, but of an ordinary, working-class, Yorkshire-woman experiencing extraordinary times from 1916-1952.
2 Act Comedy
Run time: 105 minutes Female: 3
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It is December 21st and Holly’s birthday. Responding to her complaints that no one ever celebrates her birthday, three members of her monthly book club (fellow sexagenarians Brigit, Peggy and Jill) decide to throw her a surprise party. As a double surprise, the trio, armed with a duplicate key to Holly’s condo – await her arrival. But as they set up, the surprises pile up when the condo reveals a bevy of dirty little secrets. But the biggest surprise of all is how the three navigate their own fears, friendship and perspectives of being women of a certain age.
2 Act Comedy
Run time: 95 minutes Male: 2 /Female: 3
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Eager to remedy the failings of her past, 50-year-old Jackie LaRoche seeks solitude in a remote Muskoka cottage over Thanksgiving. In this tranquil setting, she aims to sweep away a life of pretense and blind ambition, to replace it with a new belief in herself. But no sooner does she arrive when she is joined by an unexpected stranger. Her anticipated weekend is thrown into discord when Roman, who is battling his own demons and, the ‘locals’ from next door, don’t help matters, until they do.
2 Act Comedy
Run time: 115 minutes
Female: 5
(3 over age 60, 2 under 40)
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On the make-or-break Sunday of a struggling rural church, four very different church ladies—driven by desperation, duty, escape, and control—must survive spills, sabotage, and an unexpected helper to pull off a new minister’s first service, discovering that saving their church may depend less on perfection and more on grace.
2 Act Comedy
Run time: 115 minutes
Male: 5 / Females: 5 (Written for doubling with 4 or 6 actors) Various ages
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Euphoric at becoming pregnant, Nickie and Paul quickly discover that family, friends and medical specialists have dizzying takes on what should otherwise be a nine month journey of joy. When opinions fly and secrets unearthed, the couple is beset by a burden of doubt and a dilation of emotions that are fit to burst.
2 Act Comedy ALSO available as a RADIO PLAY,
Run time: 100 minutes
Male: 1 / Females: 2 (all over age 60)
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Sixty-year-old Colleen, now retired, devises a scheme she believes will spark a new beginning for herself and her husband Richard. Her method however, aided and abetted by her best friend Diane is a shade unconventional. As the two friends collaborate they delve deeper into questions about friendship, loyalty and love. In the end, when the truth is revealed, sparks fly, because when push comes to shove, there’s something to be said for good men: they deserve what they get!
ONE ACT PLAYS
Drama which can also be performed as a RADIO PLAY Run Time: 40 minutes Female: 3 / Male: 1
(Can be performed with 2 actors using additional characters with voice overs)
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It’s March 2021 and 88 year old Priscilla Whetherly is enraged with all the government mandates, social distancing and overall disruption to her privileged residency at the exclusive Golden Sunset Retirement Home.
After being isolated in her suite for almost a year and with media reports warning of the impending arrival of a third wave of the virus, Priscilla sees no end to her suffering. That is, until she is thrown a life line of hope with the visit of a special past resident. A GOOD COMPANION PIECE TO ONE-ACT PLAY, THE WORLD WE CHOOSE.
Drama 1male /1female Run time is 30 minutes
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A disillusioned young man in the year 2024, contemplates leaving a world of greed and corruption, that is, until a stranger becomes his saving grace. A GOOD COMPANION PIECE TO ONE-ACT PLAY, LIFE LINE
10-MINUTE PLAYS
Plays for Children
Musical
Book, music and lyrics by Steven Jacklin
Orchestration by Rex Lancaster and Dyanna Jacklin
Additional music by Rex Lancaster
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A dearly departed dad returns on Halloween night to visit his wife and help watch over their son, daughter and new friend as they ‘trick-or’-treat’ their way to the cemetery in hopes of recovering their toaster stolen by a ghost.
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“Under the Halloween Moon is a richly atmospheric,
fantastical and highly enjoyable musical, with strong characters, spooky tension and lovely catchy music.
Under this action-packed story beats a big heart, reminding us of the strength of family love.”
Maja Ardal, award winning actress, director and playwright.
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7 adult characters could be played by 5.
3 child characters
6 chorus characters — a mix of youth
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Digital Script, Music, Backtracks, Song Samples available. Email: jsjacklinauthors@gmail.com
Five letters of the alphabet experience a feeling of exclusion. The Alphabet family recognize their predicament and encourage L, M, N, O and P to take matters into their own hands and create a snappy rap that makes their letters not only memorable, but fun.