The Quarantine Plays

The Merry Beggars

When Coronavirus hit the United States, The Merry Beggars launched a contest for 10-minute radio plays responding to the theme of "quarantine." We received over 120 submissions from playwrights around the world. While we can't produce all of them, we've chosen twelve original scripts to bring to you.

  1. The Machine Stops

    04/19/2022

    The Machine Stops

    In a world where everything operates via a singular machine, people like Vashti have become conditioned to a bland and lethargic lifestyle. When Kuno notices a significant fault with The Machine, it is up to him to convince his mother to embrace a drastic change.

    16 min
  2. Ann

    04/19/2022

    Ann

    Is it possible to fall in love with someone you cannot see? In this tale, Nick finds himself enjoying his confinement in prison more and more as his neighbor’s blissful positivity begins to rub off on him. As the two prisoners share conversations, Nick begins to experience the kind of joy he hasn’t felt in a long time.

    16 min
  3. Simple Warning

    04/19/2022

    Simple Warning

    When Taylor wakes up from a deep sleep, he is surprised to find himself in a boarded up farmhouse. Confused and dazed, Taylor fights to convince Norman and his daughter, Sarah, to let him leave, but to no avail.

    14 min
  4. Knock, Knock

    04/19/2022

    Knock, Knock

    Damien, a nurse at Beachside Nursing Home in Virginia, is knocking on stranger's door with some difficult news. The woman who opens the door is far from what he was expecting.

    15 min
  5. The Birds are Feeding Me

    04/08/2022

    The Birds are Feeding Me

    A stony banker, working from his apartment in the early days of lockdown, wishes to stop a neighbor from feeding pigeons on her balcony. The conversation doesn’t go as planned. With zany, snappy banter exchanged through the increasingly familiar setting of a Zoom call, Doug might just learn that graces received should be graces shared, even to those as “undesirable” as pigeons.

    10 min

  6. 03/04/2022

    Corona Kiddos

    Eli and Hazel, two young best friends, are navigating the first COVID-19 lockdown and all its uncertainty together through letter-writing. While Eli is trying to remain relentlessly lighthearted, his best friend Hazel struggles to cope with some of the more brutal realities of the pandemic.

    18 min
  7. Above and Beyond

    02/21/2022

    Above and Beyond

    It’s been a while since Millie and Andy have had the chance to see each other. It’s been a while since Andy has had the chance to see much of anyone. While his wife, Millie, is on mission in space, Andy faces the trials of quarantine back on Earth. Now, he has to spend his brief face-to-face conversation with Millie breaking some unfortunate news. Enjoy “Above & Beyond”, the sixth episode of The Quarantine Plays.

    7 min
  8. We Know Now - 005

    05/18/2021

    We Know Now - 005

    In 1939, the United States heard Orson Welles' production of War of the Worlds. It was so convincing and so creatively produced that masses of people believe the world was truly under martian attack. Join our host, Norma, as she remembers how that radio show changed her life forever.Enjoy "We Know Now," the fifth episode of The Quarantine Plays, a new series from The Merry Beggars. To find out more, go to TheMerryBeggars.com/Radio.- - -When COVID-19 hit the United States, The Merry Beggars launched a contest for 10-minute radio plays responding to the theme of "quarantine." We received over 120 responses from around the world. While we can't produce all of them, we've chosen twelve of the scripts to bring to you. Please enjoy Episode 1. was written by Georgia Belle.The Narrator was played by Judy McMillanNorma was played by Cassidy SandryNorma’s Ma was played by Lisa StanleyNorma’s Pa was played by Cecil Archbold Jr.Billy was played by Ryan LedmanBilly’s Ma was played by Bonnie BogovichBilly’s Pa was played by Rich GreeneMrs. Jennings was played by DL MerlinYounger Sister Bess was played by Bailee BonickWhat would you do, if the whole world went mad?"We Know Now"CAST: Casting - Connor CarlinDirection - Jacob GrothSound Design - Theresa Ambat- - -For more information go to TheMerryBeggars.com

    13 min
See All (13)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

When Coronavirus hit the United States, The Merry Beggars launched a contest for 10-minute radio plays responding to the theme of "quarantine." We received over 120 submissions from playwrights around the world. While we can't produce all of them, we've chosen twelve original scripts to bring to you.

Information

  • Creator
    The Merry Beggars
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Merry Beggars