Books published by Nick Hern Books

Raw, delicate and bold, Bird is a story about growing up outside a family but inside the fiercest of friendships. Winner of a Judges Award in the 2013 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting,

An insightful play which delves into maternal relationships and the line between friendship and family, and contrasts our current culture of blame and instant gratification with the self-worth and determination of the post-war generation. Winner of the Adrian Pagan Award 2015.

Annie Baker's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about three cinema attendants, The Flick is a hilarious and heart-rending cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

From the bestselling Drama Games series, this dip-in, flick-through, quick-fire resource book - packed with over 200 individual games - is perfect for teachers, playgroup leaders and drama facilitators who want to inspire and entertain children, aged 3 and up, with vibrant and engaging drama experiences.

An outrageously fun musical set in an all-girls school in the 60s, from the team behind Bad Girls: The Musical.

A thrilling two-hander looks at the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship, the growing argument between rich and poor, and a young woman stuck in between.

A comic play about sex and commitment in the 21st century. Four Play premiered at Theatre503, London, in February 2016.

The Encounter traces one man's journey into the depths of the Amazon rainforest, incorporating innovative technology into a solo performance to build a shifting world of sound.

A play about the world of ballroom dance, taking us behind the fixed smiles and fake tan to look at the real lives of those for whom ballroom dancing is everything

Rediscover the magic and wonder of the original Grimm Tales, retold by master-storyteller Philip Pullman. Perfect for youth theatres, schools and amateur companies looking for a vivid new version of the classic fairytales.

Stage fright has the power to drive actors away from the stage for months, years, and even a lifetime. It is a monster that can affect any actor at any time - but it is also a challenge that can be met. In Facing the Fear - the first book of its kind written specifically for actors - performer, author and teacher Bella Merlin draws on her own and other actors' personal experiences to examine: The internal and external roots of stage fright, and how it manifests itself both psychologically and physiologically The complex relationship between the actor and the audience, and how it contributes to stage fright The cognitive processes of learning, storing and retrieving lines, and practical strategies to help The essential principles for building a healthy, fear-free rehearsal environment The techniques that actors can employ to develop their own practices, from tips on physical wellbeing to performance strategies Insightful, empowering and always reassuring, Facing the Fear is a book for any actor: for those who are experiencing or have previously suffered from stage fright, as well as for those who want to be fully prepared in case that day ever comes. It provides all the tools actors need to understand, confront and ultimately overcome stage fright and its effects, thereby regaining control over their lives and careers. (And it might just save a fortune in psychotherapist's fees!) It's also valuable reading for any teacher, director or stage manager working closely with actors, and a fascinating insight for anyone interested in what actors go through. 'An utterly engrossing book about confronting one of the most fundamental aspects of being an actor - fear.' Antony Sher

Six young people are caught in the aftermath of a terrorist attack in the heart of London. By turns terrifying, inspiring, brutal, heartbreaking and hilarious, Stuart Slade's play, comprising six interlinking monologues, is verbatim theatre from the very near future.

Nell Gwynn charts the rise of an unlikely heroine, from her roots in Coal Yard Alley to her success as Britain's most celebrated actress, and her hard-won place in the heart of the King. Jessica Swale's exhilarating take on the heady world of Restoration theatre premiered at Shakespeare's Globe, London, in 2015.

Winner of the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Becca and Howie Corbett are a happy suburban couple whose lives are changed forever when their young son Danny is killed in an accident. Eight months on, they are drifting perilously apart. Can they ever find their way back to each other?

A painful comedy about growing up and manning up.

A chilling and powerful modern Medea about motherhood and class.

A searing dramatic thriller that asks how well we actually know those closest to us, premiered at Hampstead Theatre in June 2016.

An offbeat love story about Mr Tutti Frutti, a stuffed owl and the struggle to fit in.

A theatrical investigation into how teenagers' brains work, and why they're designed by evolution to be the way they are.

A gripping dramatic portrait of a destructive friendship between two women who push themselves to their limits.

A poignant exploration of what it means to say goodbye.

An inspiring, practical guide to working with young people on their voices, by a highly experienced teacher, actor and director.Teaching Voice is for all youth-theatre leaders, workshop facilitators, teachers or lecturers who want to help their students to develop their voices - either as a component in theatre training, while rehearsing a play, or for the benefit of their personal development.It offers a step-by-step course of workshops and themed sessions, along with a series of exercises and vocal warm-ups - from the tried-and-tested to the truly innovative. Included are:Full plans for two ninety-minute core sessions, laying the essential foundations of voice work: breath, diction, resonance and relaxationSeven themed workshops exploring individual aspects including projection, rhythm, the power of language, emphasis and ShakespeareMicro sessions that can be used within the structure of any session, or when time is shortFurther sessions to help incorporate voice work into rehearsals for a school or youth-theatre productionAlso included is a personal exercise plan to help you develop your own skills and confidence as a voice teacher, whatever your level of experience.Teaching Voice is an invaluable resource for anyone involved in vocal training for young people, whether you're looking for a structured programme of workshops, or simply for some fresh ideas to inspire your students.

A complex and intense portrait of the mechanics of a family - and a marriage - through the eyes of four siblings struggling to define themselves beyond their parents' love and expectations.

A darkly comic play that explores the unexpected, bewildering, and life-changing consequences of challenging the status quo at a global level.