Churches and youth groups like the idea of using drama, but the writing often proves a challenge and there's little time to rehearse.

This richly varied collection includes monologues, duologues, and sketches for several voices which are designed to work like five-minute mini radio plays. Needing almost no rehearsal, staging or costume, they are simple to perform, but offer real content and pack a powerful punch.

Many of the pieces cover seasonal themes such as Christmas, New Year, Lent, and Easter – and also some that are often overlooked, such as Mothering Sunday and Father's Day. These powerful dramatic miniatures are not all laugh-out loud funny, but all provoke and entertain and are accompanied by the author's insightful reflections. There is also a set of probing questions for discussion starters – useful in getting a group talking, or even as a basis for a sermon. A must-have for any imaginative church leader's bookshelf!