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

Play On Words

Tom Crawshaw

Genre: Drama

Cast size: 4

Duration: 60 mins approx

Tom Crawshaw | Drama | One Act | 3m, 1f

Short synopsis

A moving tale of friendship, a knock-about farce of quick-witted punning and a surreal blend of theatre and reality - all mixed into one truly unique theatrical battle between Stoppardian wit and Beckettian calamity. In 2007, Tom Crawshaw's script for 'Play On Words' won the Oxford University New Writing Festival and he was awarded the Cameron Mackintosh New Writing Award.

Following multiple awards, nominations, and sell-out runs around the world, the quick-witted, pun-dimensional tragi-comedy is now available for production.

'Play On Words' is a moving tale of friendship, a knock-about farce of quick-witted punning and a surreal blend of theatre and reality - all mixed into one truly unique theatrical battle between Stoppardian wit and Beckettian Calamity.

The story follows Fred and Eddie, two unwitting halves of a comic double-act, whose day at the office is interrupted by mysterious disembodied voices from behind the walls and the discovery of a familiar carved sharpener. Their day of crossword solutions soon becomes a race against time to save their long-lost friend Jen, facing cross words, theatrical tricks and a briefcase full of dried fruit.

As we follow their history through flashbacks, the line between playful puns and painful misunderstanding; comedy and tragedy; stage and audience starts to blur. The eventual search for the truth holds some shocking revelations and the ultimate test to Fred and Eddie’s relationship, amid rebellious technology, audience participation and scene-stealing from a theatre technician who thinks he’s seen the light.

'Play On Words' has been performed across the world, including London’s West End, Austin Texas and two sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe. Along the way it has picked up a bumper crop of superlative reviews and the Cameron Mackintosh Award for New Writing in 2007

(3m, 1f)

Principals 

  • Eddie McGervic 
  • Fred Jefferson 
  • Jen

Support 

  • Jonnie - a theatre technician, always speaks from the Lighting Box 
  • Reporter/Claire/Doctor - are played by the actress playing Jen 
  • Plant - a plant in the audience(non-speaking)
  • Winner - Cameron Mackintosh Award for New Writing, 2007
  • Nominated - Best Comedy and Best Production by a Young Company Buxton Fringe, 2006
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":"55496077345154" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55496077410690" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55496077443458" , "metafield_value":""},{"variant_id":"55496077508994" , "metafield_value":""}]

Play On Words

Free
More information

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.