Peter Quilter

‘I want these plays to touch people, to have heart. And if you desire that in a comedy, or tragi-comedy, you need to introduce themes that people can respond to – love, relationships, death, heartbreak, failure, ambition, dreams, etc. Plus whatever theme I’m writing about, I always want to find the humour in it. I’ve never analysed why I want to do that, but I do know that some of the richest and loudest laughs come from the combination of tragedy with comedy.’ - Peter Quilter in Breaking Character Peter Quilter’s plays have captivated audiences around the world with their wit, warmth, and emotional depth. With productions staged in over 50 countries and translated into dozens of languages, this debut collection brings together a selection of his most celebrated works. Best known for End of the Rainbow, which earned Olivier and Toney nominations, Quilter's writing spans comedy, drama, and musical theatre, exploring themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of happiness. This collection showcases his gift for crafting stories that blend humour with heartache, and glamour with grit. End of the Rainbow 'Sensational – in every sense of the word… revealing in a way that tell-all bio-drama seldom is.' (New York Times) Glorious! 'Delightful and blissfully funny… generates a rare glow of warmth and generous laughter.' (Daily Telegraph) Moviestar An energetic, modern, and madly funny story exploring the ridiculous actions people take so that they can hang on to their celebrity. Marilyn and Me Harry imagines he is living with Marilyn Monroe. This funny and touching new comedy is about the extremes we go to - so that we are not alone. This debut collection includes an introduction from the author.

What would you do if you forgot the last decade of your life? After a blood clot unexpectedly formed in his brain, Michael has been in a coma for three weeks. Watching over him in hospital is his bitter mother Carol and his dull but well-meaning partner Paul. They are united in their grief over Michael, and in their intense dislike of each other. When Michael wakes, they realize that 11 years of his memory have been completely erased. He remembers nothing of the last 4000 days. He remembers nothing of Paul. It is as though the relationship never existed. Paul must now fight to bring Michael's memory back while Carol fights to remove him from their lives completely. Michael, still charming and witty, concentrates his recovery on creating a giant mural on the back wall of his hospital room. An expression of his loss, his hopes, and his desire to live his life as the man he was 11 years ago. Not the man he has become...

The Actress dramatises the events backstage as a colourful, complicated actress makes her emotional farewell performance. Various people from her life invade her dressing room to say their goodbyes, declare their love, roar with laughter, spit insults, grab a final embrace, and renew old battles.

Susan, an eccentric sixty-year-old, decides to celebrate her birthday by repeating a journey to Australia she made with a group of friends when she was 20. This time, she's travelling alone - carrying the same hopes and dreams, but with 40 years of extra baggage! Endlessly chatty, accident-prone and often looking like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards, Susan is undoubtedly colourful. Her wit, charm, chaos and hint of sadness have given her a unique outlook on life - and make her an unforgettable character. Romance slowly but awkwardly blossoms as she reunites with Bill, the bartender at the hotel, an unexpected turn of events that causes Susan to reflect on life, love, loneliness, friendship and the trials and joys of growing older. Just the Ticket is a poignant 90-minute journey through Susan's hilarious life, a unique comedy that can be performed by one, three, four or six women!

It is the 1950s and this charming comedy introduces the Nightingales, members of a theatrical family who perform more at home than they do on the stage. Jack is a cabaret star, as in love with his piano as he is with his silk dressing gowns. His parents, Charlie and Beatrice, are old Music Hall stars, full of hilarious tales of life on the road. Maggie performs with Jack in the evenings and regularly visits his house to rehearse, drink tea, and tell the sorry tale of her latest romantic disaster. If only she and Jack realized that their true love was right in front of them. The sudden arrival of Charlie and Beatrice, asking to stay with Jack for a few days, throws his and Maggie's lives into chaos. They promise to be gone by Christmas, but this provides little comfort given that it is only January 7th! Jack's housekeeper Geraldine copes masterfully with the ensuing disruption, but then Beatrice unexpectedly disappears. It seems that this was not a simple visit, but an opportunity for her to leave Charlie and run off to another liaison in France. The question is, will anyone find their true love? Are there such things as happy endings? And what do performers do once the spotlight goes out? This is a very funny, touching showbusiness comedy, bursting with one-liners and lovable characters.

A gloriously funny examination of the chaotic world of love, relationships and why the grass is never greener. Duets is a hilarious tribute to the strength and madness of the human heart. Though written to be produced in its entirety with a cast of up to M4 F4, Duets may also be performed as four separate one-act plays, each with a cast of M1 F1. The cast size is flexible.

"Glorious!" is based on the life of Florence Foster Jenkins, the legendary New York heiress and socialite who wanted to be a great operatic diva despite having one of the worst signing voices in history, and who used all her money, charm and unstoppable willpower to make it happen. The soprano voice she hears in her head is beautiful and it never occurs to her that this is not the sound issuing from her mouth. The play opens in 1940s New York in the apartment Madame Jenkins shares with the English actor St Clair, and finds her auditioning her pianist Cosme McMoon. Add in a Mexican maid who speaks no English (while Madame Jenkins knows no Spanish) and her ditzy companion Dorothy and follow their exploits until the crowning moment of a sell-out concert in Carnegie Hall.

In 1940's New York, the performer who everyone wanted to see live was Florence Foster Jenkins, an enthusiastic soprano whose pitch was far from perfect. Based upon a true story, the play spins from Florence's recitals and extravagant balls, through to her bizarre recording sessions and her triumph at Carnegie Hall in this heart-warming comedy.

Musical drama of Judy Garland's "come-back" concerts Christmas 1968: with a six week booking at London's Talk of the Town, it looks like Judy Garland is set firmly on the comeback trail. The failed marriages, the suicide attempts and the addictions are all behind her. At forty-six and with new flame Mickey Deans at her side, she seems determined to carry it off and recapture her magic. But lasting happiness always eludes some people, and there was never any answer to the question with which Judy ended every show: "If happy little bluebirds fly beyond the rainbow, why, oh, why, can't I?" End of the Rainbow is a savagely funny drama featuring a glorious ensemble of Judy Garland hits and infused with the glamour and the melancholy of stardom. "Every note she sings, every racket she makes, every tear she sheds, every joke she cracks, every pill she pops - is conveyed with alarming honesty. This knockout portrait of a living catastrophe should not be missed." What's On Published to tie-in with the premiere at the Sydney Opera House in July 2005

When a brash American family stay at the gothic English stately home, Canterville Chase, they fail to be the least bit frightened by Sir Simon, a ghost who is condemned by a curse to haunt the house. The young Virginia, however, searches out the ghost and embarks on a mission to set him free.

A play which takes a look at the pop business, charting the rise to fame of a fictitious band - Freedom. During a performance at Wembley, when the band's future looks bleak amidst of reports of drugs, drink and public brawls, five young stars reflect and reveal the truth behind the music business.

The hilarious story of five women who inherit equal shares in a dilapidated theatre and plan to bring it back to life again. A fast-paced and very funny comedy with five great roles for women.-5 women