About the Plays:

HARD TO FIND BOOK, only a very limited number of copies are still available.

Perfect for schools, festivals, actors seeking scenes and monologues, and theatres wanting to produce something edgy and vital.

In 5 Hot Plays editor Dave Carley has assembled a combustible mix of fringe festival works from five of Canada's top emerging playwrights. These high-definition snapshots of an exciting demographic include: Talk Thirty To Me by Oonagh Duncan; Offensive Shadows by Paul Dunn; In Full Light by Daniel Karasik; The Russian Play by Hannah Moscovitch, and Spain by Michael Rubenfeld.

Talk Thirty To Me is a documentary theatre project by Oonagh Duncan. A raw and funny look at a diverse group of 29-year-olds who are united by one pending horror – they are about to hit the Big 3-0. Fifty 29-year-olds, from fashionistas to refugees, were interviewed for this unique project. They discussed cellulite, sex on the web, boomers, babies, debt and death. Every word in Talk Thirty to Me is verbatim, proving that the truth is stranger – and funnier – than fiction. (Premiered in 2007 during The Toronto Fringe Festival; Cast: 2 women, 2 men, with doubling)

What people say: "Smart and entertaining." — NOW Magazine

Offensive Shadows is a comedy by Paul Dunn, is a darkly comic contemporary sequel to A Midsummer Night's Dream. Artfully blending the romantic heart of Shakespeare’s classic with a modern sensibility, Paul Dunn explores what happens when Demetrius, Helena, Hermia, and Lysander finally wake up. Using an edgy mix of humour and pathos, Offensive Shadows reveals an uncertain future, where magic can’t always save the day. (Premiered in 2007 as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival, where it won the NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award; Cast: 2 women, 2 men)

In Full Light is a drama by Daniel Karasik that uses the premise of a car accident to explore the "dangers" of trust and intimacy. Ben's teenaged daughter Claire is hit by a car. To ease his conscience, Leon, the driver, approaches Ben with a cheque. Which Ben takes. But now why is Leon calling Ben at work and showing up on his front lawn? And what's going on with Claire, now recovered, throwing rocks at the window of the boy who lives across the street? In Full Light is a riveting exploration of obligation, obsession and desire. (Premiered in 2007 as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival, where it won the Outstanding New Play Award; Cast: 2 women, 3 men)

The Russian Play by Hannah Moscovitch is the bittersweet story of a flower shop girl who falls in love with a gravedigger – but love does not run smoothly in Stalinist Russia. (Produced in 2006 as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival, where it won the Outstanding New Play Award; Cast: 1 woman, 2 men)

What people say: "Incredibly powerful with breathtaking emotion." — Toronto Star

Spain is a dark, sexy comedy by Michael Rubenfeld that explores what happens when friendships and romantic relationships collide. While Eric’s girlfriend Beth was on a six-month art residency abroad, he leaned on best friend Jared for support. Upon Beth’s return, Eric’s friendship with Jared and his relationship with Beth are both put to the test. Is there room for both Jared and Beth in his life? How do you choose between your girlfriend and your best friend? (Premiered in 2004 as part of the SummerWorks Theatre Festival, where it won the NOW Magazine Audience Choice Award; Cast: 1 woman, 2 men)

About the Editor:

Dave Carley is a Canadian playwright. He has written for stage, radio and television. His plays have had close to 500 productions, and have been produced across Canada and the United States, and in many countries around the world. His plays have won, or been nominated for, a number of awards, including the Governor General's Award, The Chalmers Award, The Dora Award, The Arthur Miller Award (University of Michigan) and the New York International Radio Festival Award.