Modern plays

A provincial newspaper office in the 1970s - and it's another day of chaos in the cuttings library. Files all over the floor, phones left ringing. And where is Lucy, the librarian ... ? Her life (when she finally arrives), and the lives of the journalists who take refuge in her muddled retreat, turn out to be as confused as the library itself. Into this comfortable little world steps Lesley, Lucy's new assistant. She's young, bright, and she wants system and order. She wants things to change. 'Alphabetical Order' was first produced at Hampstead Theatre, London in March 1975.

'Tender Napalm' is a high-impact, high-concept two handed play which explores the landscape that is a relationship between a man and a woman. Explosive, poetic, brutal and ultimately redemptive, the play weaves a compelling theatrical tapestry to re-examine and re-define the language of love.

We don't actually drink coffee at my coffee morning. – What do you do, then? – We discuss the violent overthrow of the government. Also, there's flower arranging. In this intensely imaginative and daringly brave-thinking play, award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey imagines a wild road trip across Middle England. Together, Lady Catherine and her young protégé Leo enlist every tearoom, hot yoga class and Women's Institute group on a mission to change the country forever. This play was the 2014 Pinter Commission and the winner of the George Devine Award.It received its world premiere production at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs on 10 September 2014, starring Anna Chancellor as Lady Catherine and directed by James Macdonald.

On a farm, in a village, on the fringe of Europe, life is simple but hard. When the sweeping forces of war and progress pass through, Lizaveta must run for her life. Finding shelter on an old woman's farm, she tries to piece her life back together. But her past catches up with her and she must keep moving. Her journey through a land of mud and blood, icon painters and holy fools, takes her across continents to the other side of the world. Through Lizaveta's eyes familiar places and notions of love, family and identity become distant and strange. Cannibals is a bold and unique play by Manchester playwright, Rory Mullarkey. It is his first full-length play, written while he was Pearson Playwright in Residence at the Royal Exchange in 2011.