Sound Bites:Seasonal sketches with punch and wit for instant performance

. Many churches and youth groups like the idea of using drama, but the writing often proves harder than the performance. These 25 pieces include monologues, dialogues and sketches for several voices. They are designed to be used with minimal rehearsal, staging or costume: they are simple to perform, but offer real content and pack a powerful punch. All the major festivals of the church year are covered, from Christmas and Easter to Pentecost and Mother's Day - and a few that are often overlooked by the church, such as New Year and Valentine's Day. In addition, there are a number of dramas on big (but hard to illustrate) themes such as Love, Faith and Forgiveness. Not all are laugh-out-loud funny, but all provoke and entertain, and many are followed by a short set of points for reflection and discussion, which will be useful in place of a sermon or to get a youth group talking.