Janet Smith

Janet in 'The Birthday Party' by Harold Pinter
Playwright and Author
Writing Murder Mysteries, Plays for Kids, Sketches, Comedies, Short Plays, One-act, Monologues and Drama
My scripts been performed in all kinds of venues, from windy, muddy tents at festivals, to churches, to village halls, to schools, to libraries – oh and theatres! They’re written to be staged as simply and inexpensively as possible. Some are also adapted for podcast and radio.
If a character needs a gender change to suit your casting requirements (I know that men are in short supply in amdram circles!), then do contact me, and I’ll happily take a look to see what I can do.
My radio play ‘The Man in the Moon’ on R4 was a Radio Times ‘Pick of the Week’, and short stories broadcast on radio. I’m a reviewer for ‘Sardines’ magazine.
After your production, do please send feedback, and photos, via Scripts for Stage. We’d love to see them!
Janet
Works by this Author
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An Apple in May
Concerning a 19th century pioneer of refrigeration, love, endeavour, industry, Queen Victoria – and an apple. (4F, 14M)
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Murder at Cliff House
There’s murder at a gathering of writers in a sinister location – can the audience work out whodunit? (5F, 1M, 1E)
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Sleeping Gorgeous-Beauty
Two conmen get more than they bargained for in this panto-themed murder mystery! (3M, 4F & 5E)
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Manifesto for Murder
There’s murder before the upcoming election but can the audience work out whodunit? (4F, 1M, 1E) 👂
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The Bell Inn 👂
There’s something odd about the Inn in the mist; could it really be frozen in time? (1E) 👂
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The Old Ship 👂
A new man in the village revisits his past. (1E or 3E, 1M & 1F) 👂
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Murder on the Catwalk (Audio Version) 👂
There’s murder at a fashion show but can the audience work out whodunit? (5F, 4M, 1E) 👂
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The Yellow Hollyhock
A man meets a woman on a park bench, but only through a wild mis-interpretation of why she’s there. (1F & 1M)
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The Lady in Grey 👂
A new employee at a supposedly haunted pub sees something in the cellar! (1E) 👂
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The Fastening Penny 👂
Two agricultural workers have too much of a good time at the hiring fair. (1E or 5E, 1M & 1F) 👂
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Murder on the Catwalk
There’s murder at a fashion show but can the audience work out whodunit? (4F, 4M, 1E)
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If you go down to the woods
Love, murder, suicide and bird watching combine in this darkly funny 2-act comedy. (5F, 6M, 2E) 👂
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The Great Bin Mix Up
The bins have been left in a bit of a muddle but whose bin is whose? (7E)
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Mummers Play – The Turkish Knight
A traditional Christmas folk play featuring St. George and a troublesome Knight! (7E)
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Further Stories from the Snug 👂
Five short Monologues with mystery, intrigue, smugglers and a helpful dog! (1E or 1F, 1M and 5E) 👂
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The Body in the Snug 👂
An insurance investigator can’t get a case out of her head (1E or 8E) 👂
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Treasure Island – The Murder Mystery Panto
There’s trouble afoot on Treasure Island in this Panto-themed Murder Mystery to be solved by the audience. (10E)
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Father Christmas and the Reindeer Wars
Will the bickering reindeer make up in time for Christmas Eve? (12E or more)
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The Angler’s Catch 👂
Melanie catches an enchanted fish who grants her a wish, but does she ask for too much? (1E) 👂
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Moving On
Two women from very different social circles meet on a park bench and find out they’re both potentially facing the same fate – that of being forced to move home. (2F)
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Happily Never After
At the ‘Oh yes it is’ retreat for Pantomime Characters, there is murder most foul. Can the audience work out whodunnit? (4M, 1F & 5E)
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At the Tabard Inn
The story of the 29 pilgrims who gather in Chaucer’s Tabard Inn. (58 roles – Doubling possible)
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The Monkey Paw
An enchanted Monkey Paw causes tragedy with a twist in this one act play. (2M, 1F, 2E) 👂
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Mummers Play – Robin Hood
A traditional folk play featuring Robin Hood and some odd characters! (6E)
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Confusion at the Gentlemen’s Outfitters
A Gentleman’s outfitters try to provide the very best for Jack who, they later find out, is actually a dog. (1E, 1M & 1F)
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The Interpreter
A Salesman can apparently translate what a potential customer’s cat is saying. (1E, 1M & 1F)
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The Pardon 👂
Set in Victorian times, the Gallows Inn is the scene of an unexpected pardon. (1E) 👂
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George the Good
George Good comes from a bad family, but was he switched at birth? (8F, 8M & 4E)
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A Night Under the Stars
A man on a park bench encounters someone who may not be ‘of this world’ (2M, 1E)
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Paws for Thought
Three short sketches with an animal theme (1F, 1M & 1E)
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Goldilocks and the Four Bears
Goldilocks tries to stop her wicked aunt taking over the throne in this full-length, large cast play for all the family (6F, 3M, 24E)
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The Travellers Rest 👂
A search for a missing ruby-eyed eagle yields surprising truths for Brother Dominic (1E) 👂
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Stories from the Snug 👂
Four short Monologues with mystery, intrigue, deception and magic! (1E) 👂
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The Queen’s Head 👂
What would you do if Queen Elizabeth I wanted your teeth? (1E) 👂
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Murder Anybody?
After a fake death, someone does eventually meet a grisly end – can the audience work out whodunit? (4F, 2M, 1E)
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Park Bench Stories
Three short plays set on a park bench (7 characters, 3 actors with doubling)
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Captain and the Jolly Sailors 👂
A dog discovers a WWII German Spy! (1E or 3E) 👂
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The Man in the Moon
A radio ham accidentally contacts a stranded cosmonaut and makes plans to get him back to earth. (3F, 6M)
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The Great Bin Robbery
Will Inspector Nutter find out who has been stealing the bins? (10E)
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The Fall
Telling the story of Adam & Eve’s dalliance with the Forbidden Fruit, The Fall is based on the epic poem Paradise Lost. (8E)
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The Potter Effect
A tired and overworked vet can’t see his next patient – because it’s an invisible rabbit who is a fan of a certain boy wizard. (3E)
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Father Christmas and the Troublesome Socks
Can the audience and the elves help Santa find a matching pair of socks? (10E or more)
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Heirs and DisGraces
Murder most foul at 1940s Withering Hall – can the audience work out whodunit? (5F, 3M, 1E) 👂
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The World’s End 👂
A seed from the tropics causes concern at the World’s End. (1E) 👂
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Smee
A House party on Christmas Eve in the 40s has a ghostly visitor? (6F, 5M)
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Murder at the Library
Murder most foul at the library – can the audience work out whodunit? (5F, 3M, 1E)
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Robin Hoodie and his Merry People
Mayhem and Murder for Robin Hoodie in this panto-themed murder mystery! (1M, 3F & 6E)
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Three Short Christmas Plays
Three short Father Christmas themed plays for children. (12E)
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Murder Anybody? (Audio Version) 👂
After a fake death, someone does eventually meet a grisly end – can the audience work out whodunit? (4F, 2M, 1E)👂
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One Little Snowflake
A play to be performed by children with a strong message about global warming (4F, 4M, 20E)
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The Thief of Time
Suspicion and fear arise when 11 days are lost overnight in this play for all the family. (2M, 1F, 7E)
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The Smugglers Rest 👂
With the Revenue Men around, how will the smugglers unload their contraband? (1E or 8E) 👂
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More Stories from the Snug 👂
Three short Monologues with scruples, mistrust and ghosts! (1E) 👂
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Elf and Safety
Will Santa end up on his own Naughty list or will he tell the truth about getting stuck up the chimney? (7E or more)
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The Antiquities Roadshow
Some unusual items are brought to be valued by the Antiquities Roadshow (6F, 2M)