Something Borrowed - click here for the PDF

  The Romance

  Socks go in the Bottom Drawer - click here for the PDF

  Rainbow Baby - click here for the PDF

  Love in the Meadow - click here for the PDF

  The Last Picnic - click here for the PDF

  Shattered Peace - click here for the PDF

  Gone Fishing - click here for the PDF

  The Big Issue - click here for the PDF

  Don Juan Wore Red Braces

Something Borrowed:

(1m: middle aged; 2f: 40's/elderly. One set. 45 minutes)

A domineering woman and her spinster daughter, Rosemary, battle for control over their emotionally vulnerable bachelor neighbour. Rosemary hopes he will become her passport to freedom, but she can never beat the cunning of her own mother, eager to add a 'son' to her collection. "Sensitively and poignantly written, this play provides three challenging acting roles." The Playwright's Agency.

Productions by the Deeside Players, Scotland; South London Theatre; Out And About Players, Merseyside; Hoxton Theatre, London; Beckenham Theatre Centre, Kent; the Old Hamptonians A.D.C, Surrey; Pool Theatre Company, Scotland; Hayeswater Amateur Theatre Soc, Manchester; and the Rotherfield Players, Kent. Performed at the 1987 Elmbridge Festival, 1990 Tunbridge Wells Drama Festival,1991 S.C.D.A. Festival and 1992 Arran Festival. Winner of the 1985 Douglas Clarke Playwriting Award.

The Romance:

(1m: 40's; 3f: 20-30s/30-40s x2. Composite set. 40 mins)

Peter has picked up an embarrassing 'condition' from his mistress and is desperate to hide it from his wife, Becky. What he doesn't know is that Becky has contracted a similar problem which she is desperate to hide from him. The celibacy imposed upon them during treatment has a curious effect on their marriage. Peter finds himself falling in love - with Becky ! But she has other ideas . . . "Very amusing adult comedy." The Playwrights' Agency. "A bright comedy . . . played strictly for laughs." The Croydon Advertiser.

Productions by Hoxton Theatre, London N1; Adults Only, Lancaster; and the South London Theatre. Performed at the 1991 Hornby Drama Festival.

Socks go in the Bottom Drawer:

(1m: any age; 4f: young/working age/middle aged x2. One set. 30 mins)

(Also available in a version for Youth Groups)

Adam is one of the world's last remaining men, kept in a zoological park. A visiting professor undertaking research on the male species soon discovers that it is capable of considerable mischief even behind bars ! "Superb material. That rare gem, a genuinely funny feminist play." Amateur Stage. "Made its point with wit and irony and provided five good roles for the cast to play." Adjudicator, 1991 Redditch Festival. "Funny, provocative and occasionally outrageous . . . the dialogue is constantly funny, characterisation good, a genuine comic creation." Panel of Judges, 1991 George Taylor Award.

Productions by the Gnosall Players, Staffs; the Woodside Drama Group, Birmingham; Studio OneTheatre, Stoke; Logan City Theatre Company, Queensland, Australia; Bunbury Fringe Youth Company, Hants; the BATS Theatre Company, Queensland; the Lichfield Players, Staffs; the Tamworth Players, Staffs; and The Jersey A.D.C. Performed at the 1990 Wellington Drama Festival, 1991 Redditch Festival,1991 Staffordshire One Act Festival,1991 Sunshine Coast Drama Festival, 1992 Jersey Eisteddfod, and 1997 Garrick Festival. Nominated for the 1991 George Taylor Award. Winner of third prize in the 2006 Wandsworth All London Writers Competition.

Rainbow Baby

(1m: 20-30s; 3f: late teens/middle aged x2. One set. 50 minutes)

'I'm not handicapped. I can do things.' This gentle play traces the reunion of an intellectual woman and her Down’s syndrome daughter eighteen years after having given her away for adoption. Slowly, and at considerable cost, she comes to recognise her daughter's charm and humour and learns to love her.

"I cannot tell you how much I admire this play. It is full of truth and compassion." Roy Seammen GODA, Adjudicator, 1988 NATHDA Festival. "Booker is a young, sensitive writer able to focus clearly on an issue and pin it down for what it really is." The Stage. "Written with remarkable insight and compassion, and never at any moment sentimental or embarrassing." 1988 George Taylor Award panel of judges. "A promising new playwright." Time Out.

Productions by the Bunbury Theatre Company, Hants (3 week tour); Mind’s Eye Theatre, Surrey; the Selsdon Players, Croydon; the Tonbridge Theatre & Arts Club, Kent; the Metro Players, Middlesex; the Riverside Players, Wirral; Bordeaux University Theatre, France (in translation); BATS Theatre Company, Queensland, Australia; and (in translation) AZ Sevicios Culturales, Spain (14 centre tour in 1999/00). Performed at the 1988 NATHDA Festival, 1990 Edinburgh Festival, 1990 Tunbridge Wells Drama Festival, 1990 Liphook Festival, 1991 Southgate Festival, 1991 Sunshine Coast Drama Festival, 1992 All-England Theatre Festival, 1992 Bromborough Festival, 1992 Hale & District Arts Festival, 1992 Leverhulme Festival; 1996 Figeac Festival, France; 1999 Oviedo and Barcelona Festivals, Spain. Winner of Best Original Play Award in the 1990 Tunbridge Wells Festival and 1991 Southgate Festival. Winner of the 1988 Leicestershire Playwriting Competition. Nominated for the 1988 and 1990 George Taylor Award. Runner-up in the 1996 Southampton International Playwriting Festival.

Love in the Meadow

(2m: 30-40s x 2; 3f: 30's/20's x2. One set. 40 mins)

A play about the power of passion to bewitch - even after death. An abridged version of 'The Devil and Stepashka' (see full length section for synopsis). "A thoroughly well-made play, which is a joy to read and has all the elements necessary for effective and enjoyable stage production." The adjudicator, Leicestershire Playwriting Competition. "A powerful study of turbulent human emotions." The Stage. "Bears the stamp of real dramatic intensity." The Scotsman. "Has a richly Russian feel to it." Amateur Stage. "Another outstanding play from Claire Booker." Festival Times, Edinburgh.

Productions by Diabolo Theatre Company (3 week run); the Tonbridge Theatre & Arts Club, Kent; and the Gnosall Players, Staffs. Performed at the 1990 Edinburgh Festival and 1991 Tunbridge Wells Drama Festival. Winner of the 1989 Leicestershire Playwriting Competition.

The Last Picnic

(2m: 30-40s x 2; 3f: 20's/50-60's/30’s. One set. 50 minutes)

"Just our luck. A tramp with principles!" Richard's day at the seaside turns into a surreal nightmare when a local 'bag lady' decides to join the family picnic. Infidelity, mass murder and a ruined sand castle are just the start of it ! (An abridged version of ‘Building on Sand’ (see full length section for synopsis). "A witty black comedy . . . sparkling script." The Stage. "Black comedy at its funniest," The Farnham Herald. "Home Counties gone mad !" The List.

Production by the Bunbury Theatre Company, Hants, at the 1991 Edinburgh Festival (3 week run). Shortlisted in the 1991 Bognor Regis Playwriting Competition.

Shattered Peace

(2m: 20's x2; 1f: 20's. One set. 45 mins/20 min versions)

( Also in a 1f/1m, 20 minute version entitled 'Cathy's War')

A story of revenge set in Northern Ireland during the Troubles. Cathy's young husband is shot dead by the British army. As grief turns to hatred, she decides on a terrible way to take her revenge.

"Compelling. One of the highlights of the Fringe," The Sunday Times. "Shattered Peace has all the virtues of a memorable short story," The Scotsman. "A stark and strong piece of work," The List, Glasgow. "Cleverly constructed, with strong characters," The Stage. "A short, sharp and shockingly effective work," Bournmouth Evening Echo. “In a lifetime in the entertainment industry, I have never been so moved,” Dennis Hall, Director, Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.

Productions of ‘Cathy’s War’ by Hillman's Ancient and Modern, Northampton; Bordeaux University Theatre, France; and Logan City Theatre, Queensland, Australia. Performed at the 1993 Ipswich and Redcliffe Festivals, Australia, and the 1996 Cestas Festival , France . Productions of ‘Shattered Peace’ by Festival Fringe Theatre, Hants,(2 week run); and the 1991 London New Play Festival. Performed at the 1994 Totton Festival, 1994 Eastley Festival and the 1994 Edinburgh Festival. Third prize in the 1989 Wandsworth All London Literary Competition. Runner up in the 1994 Geoffrey Whitworth One Act Playwriting Competition.

Gone Fishing:

(3m: late teens/middle aged/over 25; 3f: middle aged/18-30 x2. Flexible staging. 40 mins)

( Also in a version for Youth Groups)

Tim has a problem - his parents ! Looking for that elusive first job is no joke when Dad expects results and Mum's convinced you're hiding drugs, women or worse in your bedroom. A fast-moving comedy about unemployment, love and the generation gap. "A mature work about an immature young man. Composed with psychological understanding. . . the text is vivid, spontaneous, full-blooded and sharp." Adjudicator, Salford One Act Play Competition. "Masterly moments. The ending was unexpected and very effective. Full marks to both playwright and director." Bordon Herald

Productions by the 1992 London New Play Festival, and Bunbury Fringe Youth Company, Hants. Certificate of Merit in the 1991 Salford One Act Play Competition.

The Big Issue:

(Minimum, 2m: 20-30s; 1f: 20-30s (parts can be split to create additional 2f and 1m). Flexible staging, including optional back projection. 50 mins)

Max and Alice share a terrible childhood secret, which destroyed their family and drove them apart. Alice is now a successful novelist, whilst Max lives on the streets selling the Big Issue. An unexpected meeting throws them together again to face the truth about their past. But will they face it together - or alone ? A fast-moving, humorous, and ultimately poignant look at the subject of childhood abuse. “A well constructed and intriguing plot. Very moving. There is depth to the characters and the whole play has a rich and original texture.” Panel of Judges, Geoffrey Whitworth Competition. “The original script was of real merit. At the heart of the piece, the central relationship was always believable and often moving. A strong entry.” Eastleigh Drama Festival Report.

Production by Festival Fringe Theatre Group during 2003 at the following festivals: Totton Drama; Eastleigh; New Forest; Ferndown; Andover; AET Divisional Final; NDFA Final. Commendation in 2003 Geoffrey Whitworth One Act Play Competition.

Don Juan Wore Red Braces

(2m: 20-30s/30-50s. 2f: 20s/20-40s. Parts can be split to create an additional 3m and 2f. Composite set. 50 mins.

( Also available in a full length version Lust To Dust).

Using his charm, looks and razor sharp wits, John ‘The Don’ Mahaffy deals in deception and cocaine to raise capital for his dodgy property deals. Chauffeur, Mick, abhors his boss’s moral bankruptcy yet is too cowardly to resist. With a sexual appetite to match the size of his ambitions, no woman is safe from John ‘The Don’. Or is she? Set in Thatcherite London, The Don Wore Red Braces is a dark comedy inspired by Molière’s Don Juan.