Peter Janes, Robyn Israel and Richard Nagel are among the local playwrights in London Playwrights Lab’s first evening of staged readings, 8 p.m., Nov. 25, at The Palace Theatre.

The playwrights’ critique group, the London Playwrights Lab, will present the first in a series of staged readings, with local actors performing scenes by local playwrights, at 8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 25, at The Palace Theatre, 710 Dundas Street, London. The pay-what-you-can event is a unique opportunity for the audience to participate in the plays’ development process, through feedback sessions with each playwright.

• Sitting Shiva by D’vorah Elias. A family mourning the loss of a father finds they must deal with the death of a daughter and their long-held resentments of her drug-filled life.
• Edith Spanner by Robyn Israel. Living in the romance of a bygone era, Edith struggles to face the present when her best friend delivers news that will test their relationship.
• Sixteenth Sunrise by Peter Janes. On a routine mission, an astronaut faces his mortality in the vastness of space, where time has no meaning.
• The Leaf Blowers by Richard Nagel. In the cut-throat world of yard maintenance, it’s humans vs. leaf blowers, in a battle that will determine the fate of the universe itself.

The evening is hosted by Bill Meaden, president of London Community Players, and showcases the acting talents of Kim Kaitell, Robin Rundle Drake, Jacqui Vandale, Joe Belanger, Mathew Mckenzie and Chris McAuley, under the direction of Diane Vanden Hoven. For more information, contact Richard at mail@londonwriters.ca or call the theatre, 519-432-1029.