Flash, Bam, Alakazam

This play needs F1. A living-room Elsie, an elderly widow, lives alone and avoids socialising with her neighbours, believing "it doesn't do, to get involved". Then a new couple, Kate and Adrian, move in across the road and their young son Jamie invites Elsie round for tea. Soon the pair is inseparable, with Elsie being drafted in as babysitter whenever Kate and Adrian are out. When Jamie strays too close to the garden pond Elsie acts on her instincts to keep him safe, but his parents are appalled and Elsie's misgivings about ever letting her guard down are reinforced. This poignant monologue won four awards at the 2010 Sedgefield Drama festival, including the "Audience Award" and the "Most Effective 30 Seconds" award.