Dramatix New Zealand Ltd was formed in 2000 by experienced local theatre people wanting to build a team to produce quality, locally written original theatre at a professional level while still having fun!
Dramatix NZ has since toured and performed original plays, consistently winning awards for the Performance, Technical Prowess and Writing of these original productions. This is a wonderful acknowledgement of Dramatix’ success in achieving what was set out to do, as well as giving credence to, and acknowledging the success of TJ Ramsay as a playwright.
Dramatix NZ Ltd now offers you the opportunity to perform these and other original, award winning plays through the Dramatix Nz Ltd Agency.
Choose from locally written plays by TJ Ramsay and other playwrights – not only hire scripts for perusal, but because we want to ensure it’s as easy as possible for you to perform these play, we also have available further material and support;
Sound FX tapes and CDs,
Perusal tapes or CDs of our musicals,
Instrumental tapes or CDs for use in performances.
We enjoy a strong core of talented and experienced people within Dramatix NZ and are able to offer assistance/mentor support to other playwrights, whether it be advice on how to get started, to work-shopping a play to gauge its potential.
CATALOGUE OF PLAYS
ONE ACTS
YOUTH & JUNIOR
FULL LENGTH
TIT-BITS
Note: Adjudications available on request for all Award Winning Plays
ONE ACTS
‘A FAIRLY HAIRY FAIRY STORY’ by TJ Ramsay ADULT PANTO/COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 4 women
2 men
Synopsis: Enchantra the Wizard and his servant Codpiece the Gnome have a feeling that something is rotten in Storyland!
Scene: Composite set. Aunt Jane’s place, interior Wizard’s home, Cinder’s Bar and Grill and various outdoor settings.
Can be played simply against blacks.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘A MAN NAMED SMITH’ by TJ Ramsay COMEDY
This is a series of six 15-20min comedy episodes centering around the life and times of one of life’s losers – Alexander Napoleon Smith. This was written for television but has been performed as a successful series of short comedy plays at café theatre and as short extras during one act play evenings.
The cast requirements vary throughout each episode but the maximum required is:
4 men
2 women
The Episodes are:
Scene: 1 set. Grotty bedsit.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘A RESIDENT EVIL’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
2011 Best Presentation of a new New Zealand Play NZTF One Act Play Competition
Cast Requirements: 4 men
4 women
Synopsis: Three men of 15th, 17th & 18th centuries debate the meaning of evil, lust and
society as Modern Man receives counseling for murder.
Scene: 1 set.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘BITTERSWEET LOVE’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
2000 Winner Olga Harding National Playwright’s Award NZTF One Act Play Competition
Cast Requirements: 2 women 1 – 60s-70s; 1 – 20s-30s
2 men 20s–40s
Synopsis: Daisy has dementia. She lives in a present she has no control over and a past she can never forget.
Scene: Composite set. Interior dining room and lounge in a care home.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘CHILD’S PLAY’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE/COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 2 men
2 women
Synopsis: Room 13 is for seven to eight year olds. Harry is the coolest kid in class. His Camilla’s best friend – until the new girl arrives.
Scene: Composite set. Interior classroom and outdoor playground.
(NOTE: ‘Child’s Play’, though written for adults, works well with teenage performers also.)
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘CUSTA’S LAST STAND’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 1 woman
1 man
Synopsis: Franklyn Custa comes to the bridge one evening with the idea of suicide. He finds out that sometimes, when the only possible solution is death, you meet an unexpected friend.
Scene: 1 set. Exterior, under a bridge.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘HOW TO BURY A FUNERAL’ BY Scott Frater SLICE OF DEATH
2010 Runner-up Olga E Harding Playwright’s Award NZTF One Act Play Competition
Cast Requirements: 3 men 1 – 40s-50s; 2 – mid-20s
2 women 1 – 40s-50s; 1 – mid-20s
Synopsis: Three friends gather at a grave site to bury someone they all knew. They called that complete bastard friend.
Scene: 1 set. At a gravesite.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘KICKBACK’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA /(or with twist) COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 2 men
Synopsis: Rory is a man driven to an extreme action by the greed of another. He wants money – lots of it – or he will kill …
This play carries a twist which you can use or not. Written for NZTF Festival, this was Dramatix’ own kickback against some of the attitudes found in NZ theatre competitions.
Scene: Interior warehouse.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘LILY’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE/COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 3 women 2 – 60s-70s; 1 – 20s-40s
2 men 1 – 60s-70s; 1 – 30s-40s
Synopsis: Lily is forced to live in a care home. She begins to come to terms with her new life with difficulty and humour.
Scene: 1 set. Interior lounge room in a rest home.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘MR AND MISTRESS SHAKESPEARE’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 1 man
1 woman
Synopsis: Will arrives home to Stratford Upon Avon, summoned urgently by Anne – their only son is critically ill. Will arrives too late. Hamnet is already dead.
Scene: 1 set. Interior 1590’s cottage. Can be played simply against blacks.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘MURDER DOWN THE LINE’ by Penny Taylor MURDER/MYSTERY
Cast Requirements: 8 men varying ages
5 women varying ages
+ extras
Synopsis: It’s 1930s Britain. A group of strangers gather at a railway station to make the short trip to Brighton. Murder intervenes.
(NOTE: this can be done as a supper-theatre event, or stand-alone one act)
Scene: 1 set. Train interior
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘MY MOTHER SAID’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 1 man 30s-40s
2 women 1 – 50s-60s; 1 – 20s-30s
2 boys 9-11 yrs
1 girl voice only – young teen
Synopsis: The power of a mother and the lengths she will go to retain her control and dominance over her son.
Scene: 1 set. Interior lounge.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘NYLONS AND KNICKER ELASTIC’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE/HISTORICAL
Cast Requirements: 8 women varying ages
1 girl 9-12yrs
Synopsis: It is World War II and eight women and one girl shelter together during an air raid. They discover humour, compassion and drama.
Scene: 1 Set. Underground Railway Station
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘SEBASTIAN’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 2 men 1 – 60s; 1 – 40s
Synopsis: Harris lives a miserable existence on the very edge of a once vibrant life in the world of theatre. And then someone he would rather forget knocks at his door.
Scene: 1 set. Interior grotty bedsit.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘TENT OF WAR or APRES LA GUERRE by Marjorie Kemp-Baker DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 2 men 1 – 40s-50s; 1 adult-no age limit (non-speaking)
2 women 1 – 40s-50s; 1 adult-no age limit
Synopsis: He went to war. She stayed home. And finally when he did come home, War came with him. – Written from real life experience.
Scene: 1 set. Simple; can be played against blacks or on levels.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘TWILIGHT’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 2 men 1 – 20s-30s; 1 – 60s-70s
2 women 1 – 20s-30s; 1 – 60s-70s
Synopsis: A family struggles to come to terms with the fate and future of their chronically ill father.
Scene: Composite set. Hospital bedroom and interior family home, the latter which can be set simply using pools of light.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘WEDDING PARTY’ by TJ Ramsay COMEDY
2010 Winner Olga E Harding Playwright’s Award NZTF One Act Play Competition
Cast Requirements: 1 male
1 female
Synopsis: Weddings are lovely, aren’t they? The bride’s frock; the groom’s suit; the lovely layered wedding cake. For better or worse – and the occasional thing we discover on this most important day. You are invited to the wedding
celebration of …
Scene: 1 set. The miniature bride and groom on top of a wedding cake.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘YOUNG WILL’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 1 male
2 females
Synopsis: William Shakespeare is 18, in lust with Kate and about to discover love when he meets Anne Hathaway.
Scene: 1 set. Can be played simply set against blacks or perfect outdoor theatre.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘ARMAGEDDON WAR PARTY’ by Scott Frater THRILLER
Cast Requirements: 3 males 15-18yrs
3 females 15-18yrs
Synopsis: Four teenagers wake up in chains in a basement, with no memory of how they got there, with only the mysterious Gerry able to provide any answers.
Scene: 1 set. Interior – basement.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘BIG TOP, SMALL PANTS’ by Scott Frater COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 3 males 15-18yrs
8 females 15-18yrs
Synopsis: The tale of Wizzleteats, his children’s circus, a bearded lady and how it all went horribly wrong for everyone.
Scene: 1 set. Wizzleteat’s circus tent.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘COD OF WAR’ by Scott Frater COMEDY
2011 People’s Choice Award NZTF One Act Play Competition National Finals
Cast Requirements: 3 men 15-18yrs
1 woman 15-18yrs
Synopsis: Three brothers wake up with a hangover after the eldest brother’s stag party to discover a new roommate.
Scene: 1 set. Interior – lounge.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘GALA AT ENNER GLYNN’ by Lindy Kelly
Cast Requirements: Written for a full junior school class, 8-10 years.
Synopsis: Written with children for children following the success of ‘Ronald’s Rollicking Circus’, this play uses melodrama and slapstick and allows the children to develop each character.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘I THOUGHT I SAW A GHOST’ by Sue Roughton COMEDY
Cast Requirements: Written for fourteen 10-15 year olds, though ages are flexible.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘LADY JANE GREY’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 2 males mid to late teens
4 females mid to late teens
Synopsis: Lady Jane Grey reigned as England’s Nine Day Queen. She was sent to her death at 16.
Scene: Composite set. Interior Tudor and tower prison.
Can be played simply against blacks with pools of light.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘ONE LUNCHTIME OUTSIDE THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE…..’ by TJ Ramsay & Dramatix Youth SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 2 males mid to late teens
4 females mid to late teens
Synopsis: Six teenagers find themselves outside the Principal’s office. They don’t know each other as well as they think they do.
Scene: 1 set. Interior corridor.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘RONALD’S ROLLICKING CIRCUS’ by Lindy Kelly
Cast Requirements: Written for a full junior school class 8-10 years.
Synopsis: A class of 8-10 year olds were asked to choose a character and this funny, fun play was written for them. It begins with a funeral, ends with triumph and a great time is had by all.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘SNIZZLEMATIZZLE’ by Scott Frater COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 3 males 15-18yrs
6 females 15-18yrs
Synopsis: The arrogant cast of the children’s television show “Timmy Time and Friends in the Magical Jungle” are amazed when dead people suddenly start showing up on set. A story about children’s television shows in the modern world.
Scene: 1 set. Played on the set used for filming Timmy Time and Friends
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘WHITE NOISE’ by TJ Ramsay THRILLER
Cast Requirements: 2 males 1 – 15-18yrs; 1 – 10-12yrs
4 females 2 – 15-18yrs; 2 – 10-12yrs
Synopsis: When their town is invaded, six young people hide in an old shed.
Scene: 1 set. Interior of an old shed.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘WHO CARES?’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 4 males 11–18 yrs
5 females 11–18 yrs
Synopsis: Inside an animal pound.
Scene: 1 set. Interior. Animal cages with spaces for pools of light.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘YOUTHANASIA’ by Scott Frater DRAMA
2009 Winner Book of Honour & Best Presentation of a new New Zealand Play NZTF One Act Play Competition
Cast Requirements: 3 male 16-18yrs
2 female 16-18yrs
Synopsis: Danny, a young boy with terminal leukemia, calls his friends to the park to make the biggest decision of his young life; the choice between life or death.
Scene: 1 set. Exterior. Park at night.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘BED AND BREAKFAST’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE/COMEDY
Cast Requirements: 6 men 20s-60s+
5 women 20s-60s+
Hotel Extras – not the least essential, but sometimes there are those in our theatre groups who ‘would like to go on stage but I don’t act’ and they do add to the atmosphere.
Synopsis: Set in a hotel, this three act focuses on the relationships of three couples as they overnight at a Bed and Breakfast. A young couple married that day; a middle aged couple who aren’t quite what they first seem and an elderly couple embarking on a not-quite blind date.
Scene: 2 sets. Foyer/dining room of a Hotel and 3 separate bedrooms in same.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘INSIDE OUT’ by TJ Ramsay DRAMA
Cast Requirements: 4 men 20s-40s
3 women 20s-40s
Pub extras
Synopsis: Friends and family are gathering at the local pub. Joe is out of prison today and hell-bent on revenge. He is forced to face the consequences of his actions, past and present, as his life and everything be believes to be true disintegrates around him and because of him.
Scene: 1 set. Seedy back street pub interior.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
TIT-BITS
These plays have been specifically written with the more mature actor in mind. There’s something for all – whether it be the more experienced actor, or someone wanting to give acting a go for the first time.
Sets can be as simple, or as elaborate as you like, and they can be performed as a proper performance, or as a simple play reading. These plays are all approximately 20 minutes in length.
‘BINGO!’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 6-8 women 60s+
Synopsis: It’s a Bingo afternoon again and the women gather in the room of a local public hall. Teddy has made an online blind date who turns out to be not quite what she expected.
Scene: 1 set. Public hall interior.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘DIARY OF A TEENAGE PORN STAR’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 3 women 60s+
1 man 60+
Synopsis: Pauline and Stan are redecorating and clearing out. They’ve been married for over 30 years and Pauline’s at the stage of life where the spark has gone – for her marriage and life itself. It takes the discovery of her old diary to make Pauline realize that what she had is still very much alive …
Scene: 1 set. Lounge interior.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
‘HEN’S NIGHT’ by TJ Ramsay SLICE OF LIFE
Cast Requirements: 5 women 60S+
Bar Extras - this is a nice way to introduce new players who haven’t acted before, or
would like to but would rather not have the bother of lines.
Synopsis: Swanny’s getting married and her three best friends are organizing her Hen’s Night. These three very different women celebrate in their very different ways. It’s a night when past hurts and damaged friendships are healed and new life begins.
Scene: 1 set. Lounge bar interior.
Want to enquire about this play? email us with the plays title
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