In this, our 22nd such collection, LibriVox volunteers perform 10 compelling short plays for your enjoyment! Authors of these works include three early 20th Century women playwrights, a poet laureate and dramatist of that same era, an 18th Century librettist who collaborated with Handel on many of that famed composer's most enduring oratorios, and an early President of the United States. Additionally, there is a tasty sampling of works by professional playwrights who honed their craft over long and successful careers in the theater. Themes for this collection range from whimsical fantasy to stark reality with lots of love and laughter along the way. We hope you find every bit as much pleasure in listening to this group of One Act Plays as we did in recording them. - Summary by ShrimpPhish and BrianFullen (NOTE: Clifford Bax, author of "Square Pegs", died in 1962. This story is not PD for readers in Europe and/or Australia, and other countries which observe copyright of author's death +70 years.)

Cast Lists

1. Princess Moss Rose by Marguerite Merington (1857 - 1951). BC for this play is ShrimpPhish.

A dramatic retelling of Sleeping Beauty with extra helpings of fun and frogs. The players are:

Editor: ShrimpPhish Stage Directions: Brian Fullen Princess Moss-Rose: ShrimpPhish The Prince: Larry Wilson The King: PapaPhish The Queen: MamaPhish The Chancellor: ToddHW The Frog: Greg Giordano The Spin Wheel Song: dc Head Fragments: Brian Fullen Second Frog: David Purdy Hunting Chorus and Butler: Brize C The Cook: ARodrigo The Nurse and Ladies: Lynette Caulkins The Governess: Winnifred Assmann The Gardener: Alan Mapstone Mentor: Barry Eads First Frog: redrun

2. Fernseed in the Shoe by Ethel Van der Veer (1881 - 1934). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

Follows an imaginative girl (accompanied by her nurse) in search of fairies. The players are:

Gatekeeper: Greg Giordano First Brave Courtier: Barry Eads Second Brave Courtier: Glys First Cowardly Courtier: ARodrigo Second Cowardly Courtier: Brian Fullen Rosaleyne: ShrimpPhish Nurse: Winnifred Assmann Prince of Eidland: ToddHW King of Asteron: Alan Mapstone Stage Directions: Rapunzelina

3. Solomon by Thomas Morell (1703 - 1784). BC for this play is Alan Mapstone.

Tells of Solomon's wisdom, as witnessed by Two Harlots and the Queen of Sheba. The players are:

Solomon: Barry Eads Queen of Sheba: ShrimpPhish Zadok: Brian Fullen Levite: Greg Giordano 1st Harlot: ShrimpPhish 2nd Harlot: Lynette Caulkins Attendant: Stacey Malcolm Chorus: Brian Fullen Chorus: David Purdy Narration: Alan Mapstone

4. A Way Out by Robert Frost (1874 - 1963). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

A man running from a crime he committed, another man solitary and removed from the world. They meet one fateful night. The players are:

Stranger: Greg Giordano Asa: ToddHW A Voice: Barry Eads Another Voice: Brian Fullen Someone: ShrimpPhish Stage Directions: Brian Fullen

5. Streaks of Light by Hermann Sudermann (1857 - \`1928). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

Julia is hiding from her husband. She sees nothing except the flowers that a new lover brings, and the small streaks of light showing through the blinds. The players are:

Julia: ShrimpPhish Pierre: Greg Giordano Wittich: tombooker Stage Directions: Brian Fullen

6. The Goal by Henry Arthur Jones (1851 - 1929). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

A dying master builder is running out of time to rebuild personal relationships. The players are: Sir Stephen Famariss, the great Engineer: ToddHW Daniel Famariss, his son, Engineer: Greg Giordano Sir Lydden Crane, M.D.: Brian Fullen Adams, Sir Stephen's Butler: Barry Eads Peggie Lovel: ShrimpPhish Nurse Clandon: Winnifred Assmann Stage Directions: Faith Abiola-Ellison

7. Square Pegs by Clifford Bax (1886 - 1962). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

NOTE: This play is not Public Domain in countries which base copyright on author's death +70 years.

A modern girl and a Victorian girl meet in an enchanted garden and exchange wistful wishes that they could switch. The players are:

Gioconda: ShrimpPhish Hilda: Winnifred Assmann Stage Directions: ToddHW

8. The Hand of the Prophet by Margaret Scott Oliver (1879 - 1930). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

One beautiful lady. Two infatuated men. How could this end well? The players are:

Kodama, A Merchant of Riad: Alan Mapstone Halima, His Bride: ShrimpPhish Sindibad, A Young Sheykh, Cousin to Kodama: Barry Eads Slave, To Kodama: Greg Giordano Slave, To Sindibad: Stage Directions: Brian Fullen

9. The Grand Cham's Diamond by Allan Monkhouse (1858 - 1936). BC for this play is Brian Fullen.

One boring night in the Perkins house changes to an exciting one as a diamond flies through their window. The players are:

Mrs. Perkins: Faith Abiola-Ellison Mr. Perkins: ToddHW Miss Perkins: ShrimpPhish A Man in Black: Greg Giordano Albert Watkins: Scotty Smith Stage Directions: Brian Fullen

10. A Dialog between the Head and Heart by Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826). BC for this play is progressingamerica

The ever present struggle between feelings and rationality as portrayed by Thomas Jefferson. The players are:

Heart: Gabriella Sasscer Head: progressingamerica Narration: Brian Fullen