Why Produce John's Plays?

Entertainment Value

John’s philosophy is to entertain the audience, without the use of excessive profanity or adult content, while at the same time presenting plays that invoke thought and discussion as you leave the theatre.

Economical

• Affordable rates: Applications for the amateur (community theatre) rights to John Cook’s plays are administered through The Playwrights Guild of Canada (PGC).
• Rates for independent companies will be at the industry standard.
• Simple set: Most of the plays are written with a simple set in mind (which the director may elaborate upon if desired).
• Minimal cast requirements: The cast size is generally small, except in the case of the Murder Mystery plays which rely on large numbers of characters to make the plot more interesting. The Radio Shows are flexible in cast, depending on how many voices the director wants each actor to portray.

Variety of Plays

John has written plays in a range of formats: Full length, Radio Shows, Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre productions, One-Act, and Ten-Minute. Examples:

• Husband? What Husband? (stage and radio show versions) A full-length farcical comedy about clandestine husbands, slamming doors, and buried treasure.
• Miracle on 34th Street: The Radio Show* A full-length adaptation of the novel by Valentine Davies. A timeless family Christmas classic.
• Portrait of Murder A full-length murder mystery dinner theatre production about stolen art, jealousy, and deception. All the elements for a perfect picture of murder.
• The Rooftop Guy A one-act comedy about the antics of federal government workers plotting and scheming to pilfer coveted office furniture.
• Crackers A one-act comedy about two parrots, one of whom can read the paper that lines his cage and has his favourite TV show.
• Hold the Phone A ten-minute play about a blind date highjacked by over-zealous and interfering friends.

*In collaboration with Teri Loretto-Valentik and Nicole Milne.