Five great plays for large, diverse casts

Cast: 17–19, mixed

Synopsis: Phoenix Rising follows the first steps of 18-year-old Callum leaving care – steps that lead straight into poverty, bad company and the constant attacks of his worst enemy: himself. Out on the track he is untouchable; no one can get near him. But when his wings start to fail him, he will have to face his demons. Andrew Day's visceral and compelling drama will leave you with some serious questions about the soaring failures of our modern society.

Why it's great for large, diverse casts: Callum is at a juncture of his life where he is in contact with several worlds. The large cast of characters from different circumstances allows you to celebrate the specificities of the group you are working with. Alongside gritty dialogue, there is much potential for surreal physical sequences, which open the door for devising opportunities if desired. The cast can be decreased and increased easily by multi-roling.