Monologues by Simon Paul

I have now published all my current monologues in one handy collection on Amazon.
The link to the UK site is here: The Butler and Other Monologues
As well as my own, there is one that was written by my daughter when she was eight. It was part of a school project about WWII and is a letter home from an evacuee. It was used in a review I was involved in with Southfields Theatre Group. I recorded my daughter reading it and put some very atmospheric music over the top of it.
Anyway, you can buy or borrow these monologues from Amazon and if you do, I really hope you enjoy them.

My Scripts - BIG UPDATE

Forget below. I have now found a new place to sell my wares: Script Circle.
I am now getting all my scripts uploaded so that customers past, present and future can enjoy performing my ridiculous drivel brilliant masterpieces.

Unfortunately, the site where my scripts were for sale, Production Scripts, has folded.
The former owners have intimated that the site has been sold on and that it will be up and running again in due course. However, there is no concrete evidence of this. Consequently, until I get a chance to clean up this blog, all the links to my scripts are now broken. If you would like further information about my scripts then please contact me directly. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

The Terrapin

Latest in my series of monologues although slightly different as it does not follow the day in a life of a particular job.

The Terrapin is basically a bit of a rant by a man who receives an unusual gift for his fiftieth birthday. Okay, the title is a bit of a give-away in respect of the gift but how he deals with it is another matter altogether.

The Secret Agent

Within days of its publication on Production Scripts, my latest monologue, The Secret Agent made its first sale. Only a review copy but a sale nevertheless. It was purchased by a teacher at a high school in the US who also purchased various other scripts. He may have been amassing material for a high school review or just for some drama class exercises.

The Secret Agent joins my other scripts which are all now increasing in popularity. There are a lot more ideas in motion and I will be publishing further scripts, both monologues and full length pieces throughout 2013 and beyond. In the meantime, happy New Year to all my blog followers and readers.

The Frog Prince

Now live and available here: http://www.productionscripts.com/simon-paul-frog-prince-p-779.html?osCsid=2f8ac67ef9e89fa21630b1a8237ac6fc

The Frog Prince - Coming to a Living Room Near You!

Thanks to Nicole for getting together the DVD of The Frog Prince of which this is a short trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqw-caAtYYs&feature=youtu.be

Amateur Star Wars

This is an incredible film, a complete remake of Star Wars by amateur film makers contributing 15 second bits: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ezeYJUz-84
Part live action, part animation, part puppets and so forth, it has been put together from a web site called Star Wars Uncut. It is being pitched as an example of crowd sourcing. So far, in just a few days it has had well over a million hits on YouTube. Brilliant.

The Frog Pince

The final night of the first ever run of The Frog Prince is now over. Aaah!
It turned out to be a brilliant run with audience feedback more than exceeding expectations. As writer as well as director, it was particuarly satisfying to see my work performed and in such a manner that, with an amateur group, was as close to my vision for the show as possible. Just to clarify, in an amateur group, one works with people who choose to come along. One does not have the luxury of being able to cast West End pros. With The Frog Prince, I had the pelaseure of working again with some regular members of Southfields Theatre Group but also some new members of varying theatrical experience. I think for everyone, the experience was a pleasurable one and, crucially, we all learnt a lot and, made new friends in the process.
So, what next? Well, I for one have some other scripts that are works in progress. Not sure yet what the Southfields Theatre Group intends to put on but it will be a dramatic piece round about May/June, another reveiw for charity in the autumn, followed by the next winter panto. What will my contribution be? Not sure yet but what I do know is that I need a rest.

First night nerves...

After a slow and somewhat nervous start, the opening night of The Frog Prince proved a rip-roaring success. Although audience numbers were slightly disappointing (sign of the times) everyone left with happy, smiling faces. Feedback from a good proportion of the audience was that the show was brilliant - trust me on this, ask them! Three more performances to go and tickets still available: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/19213

World Premier of The Frog Prince

Yes, tonight, Thursday 19th January 2012, marks the World Premier of The Frog Prince.
Our audience of one, eight year old Ben, rated it 10/10 after watching the dress rehearsal last night. In just under five hours time, it's all hands to the deck, all cooks to their stations and all drivers in their cabs as the curtain rises. Will you be there, or will you be square? Don't miss out on the theatrical highlight of the year: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Three Things to Celebrate in 2012

Yes, 2012 is a great year for the UK. During the summer, we shall be watching the Olympics, hosted in London, the best city in the World - probably. Shortly before that, we shall be whooping it up with HM Elizabeth II to celebrate her phenomenal 60 years as sovereign. Finally, this week sees the World premier of The Frog Prince by Simon Paul. Book here: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk
Support your local theatre group at Amdram

The Frog Prince

My latest script, The Frog Prince will be premièred next week, 19th through to 21st January at St Michael's School, Granville Road, London SW18.
The story has been taken from the traditional frog prince story with elements added from the lesser known story of The Well at the End of the World. Whilst loosely written as a pantomime, it could also be viewed as a straightforward (if such a thing exists) comedy. It is fairly fast paced and has a running joke reflecting the times we live in.
To find out more and to book tickets, go to: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

The Frog Prince

The Frog Prince written and directed by Simon Paul of the Southfields Theatre Group will be performed on 19th, 20th and 21st (including a matinee) January 2012 at St Michael's School, Southfields, SW London. Tickets are available through TicketSource. 

This is a World Premier containing an array of weird and wonderful characters on their quest for the Well at the End of the World. The production will see a number of new members of the Group joining some of the regulars in an amusing and entertaining romp around the UK. Don't miss it - book now to avoid disappointment.

The Frog Prince

Coming soon...

January 2012 to be precise.

The Frog Prince

a new pantomime

written by

Simon Paul

directed by

Simon Paul

More information as and when available at:

http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Theatre Photography

For theatre groups, Simon offers a reasonably priced attendance at rehearsals and performances. Getting some good pictures for publicity purposes is essential. You may also want stock pictures of your actors and back stage staff. You will be provided with a one-off disc or USB stick for you to choose to print whichever you please when you please. Special rates for amateur groups who can benefit from making money selling prints to cast, friends etc.
http://www.skazmanagement.co.uk/skazography
http://www.skazography.blogspot.com

skazography is a trading name of Simon Paul

Grid#Productions Up-date - Gothic Themes

Things are moving slowly with Grid#Productions but better to be cautious and come up with some real quality than to steer the whole thing on to the rocks.
The strategy will be to focus on productions based on Gothic and macabre tales inspired by the likes of Edgar Allan Poe, Bram Stoker, Mary Shelley and more. The origins of Gothic horror are said to be steeped in Horace Walpole's 'The Castle of Otranto' written in 1764. However, we can probably go back a lot further to unpublished tales, often handed down through the generations in poetic form. However, Walpole's tale was the first published story that spawned a new and exciting genre.
The focus on these tales is because they lend themselves so brilliantly to the dramatic form. With moments of drama, suspense, romance and sometimes eroticism, it is a genre that that has been explored many time, especially in film but perhaps less so in theatre. However, whilst not wanting to jump on the back of the recent production of Frankenstein, audiences are attracted to themes and plot lines that appear to dwell on legend, myth and unexplained circumstances.
Please go to the Grid#Productions site and follow it for up dates as and when they are available.

Pantomime season is looming...

With pantomime season looming, now's the time to start searching for a script.
The Production Scripts web site has a good choice of original scripts, including two of mine. The first is a simple version of Cinderella which was written for the Southfields Theatre Group when it first formed. The script was written on the basis that the group was new and that most of the founding members had never done any acting, at least since school. It is a very simple production but also very funny.
The second script I have written is Ali the Barber and the Forty Thieves. As yet unperformed, it again has been written with amateur groups in mind.
If you do not care for either of my scripts, you will find a good choice of others at Production Scripts. A good function of the site is that you can purchase reasonably priced read through copies of scripts before you go on to buy performance licences.

RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn - Latest News

The first night of Southfields Theatre Group's production of Sir Alan Ayckbourn's RolePlay was a rip-roaring success.
Audience comments included: 'brilliant', 'fabulous', 'the group's best production yet'.
Tickets are still available for tonight, Friday 15th July and tomorrow: http://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/14633
Or you can call the box office hotline on 07535 117 169. Alternatively there should be a few tickets available on the door. Be a part of our latest success!

RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn

With less than two weeks to curtain up, tickets for RolePlay by Alan Ayckbourn, directed by someone called Simon Paul are selling fast.
The production happens at St Barnabus Church, Lavenham Road, London SW18 on 14th, 15th and 16th July at 7:30pm. The play is the third part of a trilogy themed along the lines of damsels in distress. The action takes place in a Docklands flat where a young couple have arranged a dinner party for their respective parents to meet for the first time. Their best laid plans start to go awry when one of their neighbours literally drops in. All good fun.
Go to the Southfields Theatre Group web site for more information: http://www.southfieldstheatregroup.org.uk

Pantomime season is looming...

Now is the time that many groups will be considering their pantomime production for the coming winter season. To help you with your choice, here are a couple of suggestions. Cinderella was first performed by the Southfields Theatre Group in January 2009. It received very good reviews and played to a total audience of around 500. It is a fairly traditional take on the story and was written specifically for amateur groups on a tight budget.
Ali the Barber and the Forty Thieves has yet to be performed so why not be the first group to give it a try? It too can be done on a fairly tight budget and it is a very humorous script. In each case, as the author, I will be happy to advise on any aspects of the production of either pantomime and to do any rewrites that might help to produce the show to your needs.