This site has limited support for your browser. We recommend switching to Edge, Chrome, Safari, or Firefox.

Not sure where to start? Discover all our scripts

Talk to one of our experts here

Thank you for purchasing with Stagescripts

Shopping basket 0

Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Products

Need help? Contact our team here

Pair with
Subtotal Free
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout
  • American Express
  • Apple Pay
  • Diners Club
  • Discover
  • Google Pay
  • Maestro
  • Mastercard
  • Shop Pay
  • Union Pay
  • Visa

The Devil Who Came To Dinner

Martin Paul Roche

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 4

Duration: 50 mins approx

Martin Paul Roche | Drama | One Act | 1m, 1f, 2m/f

Short synopsis

With simple lives and simple souls sometimes come simple perceptions. What’s unusual about having a new acquaintance around for dinner? Everybody enjoys getting to know potential new friends over a meal, don’t they? Even when it’s the Prince of Darkness.

“In life’s thesaurus, Pauline and Derek are the epitome of ‘suburbia.’
They are brimming with blandness. Their lives ebb and flow with a simplicity which, to them, is heaven but which for many would be hell.

And with simple lives and simple souls sometimes come simple perceptions.
Which can be a good thing. People who just take strangers for whom they are. 
Innocents with no stereotypes, no demands, no assumptions and no questions asked. 

Even when the question is bouncing up and down in front of them.
And anyhow, what’s unusual about having a new acquaintance around for dinner? Everybody enjoys getting to know potential new friends over a meal, don’t they?
Even when it’s the Prince of Darkness.”

1m, 1f, 2m/f

  • Pauline – middle aged (f)
  • Derek - middle aged (Pauline’s other half) (m)
  • Nick (any age/gender)
  • Gabriel (any age/gender)



Type
Free

Applying for and paying royalties

To apply for royalties, please complete the form on our apply for royalties page.

To pay for fixed fee royalties having received your Quotation from us, please go to this payment form.

[{"variant_id":"55588151296386" , "metafield_value":""}]

The Devil Who Came To Dinner

Free
More information

USE: Written to complement the one act play 'Beggars Can Be Choosers' to make a
complete evening (utilising exactly the same set).

Alternatively, a standalone play which is also suitable as a Festival piece.

ARTWORK: The cover artwork is an original commissioned painting, produced for this piece
by the Russian artist, Victoria Mironenko. The image is available FoC to producing companies as programme artwork and for publicity purposes.

If you require any additional information regarding this script, please don’t hesitate to contact us here.

Frequently asked questions

Can we try before we buy?

Of course! All our plays and pantomimes have a free Preview Script available for download as an A4 pdf file that contains 60-75% of the full script. If you like what you read then you can buy an inexpensive e-script of the entire play (typically less than half the cost of a traditional printed script) which is licensed to you for your personal use. Purchasing a script copying licence allows you to make just enough copies to support rehearsals and performances.

All our musicals are included in our perusal service. Through this, representatives of producing organisations can request a USB Stick of perusal material  which comprise the script/libretto and piano/vocal score as PDF files; a Cast (or Studio) Recording as MP3 files and (where available) an MP4 file video of either the premiere production or of a subsequent production.

Some titles have the facility to read the entire script online on our website.

Do we need a Licence To Perform?

The simple answer is, yes.

Under the international laws of copyright, you must be in possession of a valid, unexpired licence before performing any piece of theatre unless the owner or managers of the copyright has waived their rights.

Why do you insist on providing a formal royalties quotation?

When you request a quotation, it is logged in our system, it forms part of an orderly queue and protects your place in that queue should multiple licensing requests occur for the same show.

Need help?

Contact us

If you need help with our scripts, please contact our customer service team, we would be more than happy to help.

Customer Reviews

Be the first to write a review
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)

Established for over 25 years

Unearthing future talent


Stagescripts is a trusted licensing company run by theatre professionals with decades of experience on and off stage. Our curated catalogue includes over 1,000 carefully selected plays, musicals, and pantomimes — from fresh, undiscovered writing to well-loved classics.

We’re passionate about helping theatre-makers at every level discover scripts that inspire, challenge, and connect with audiences. Whether you're staging a village hall production or leading a professional company, our team offers expert advice, flexible support, and a responsive, personal service to help your next performance shine.