Books by Eric Chappell

Comedian and national treasure Dave Thursby has died, and on the day of his funeral, friends and colleagues gather beside his coffin to pay their last respects. There's Harvey, who wrote Dave's material; Vi, Harvey's wife; Kevin, Dave's agent, and Kevin's wife Jane.

Two plays set in the offices of Multiple Holdings. Rex, Harry and Osborne form an uncomfortable alliance against the management, as personified by Fletcher. In "We Don't Want to Lose You", Rex is ordered to sack Osborne, and "Cut and Dried" opens with the news that Rex's job is up for grabs.

Side Effects is a hilarious comedy for two men and three women from the Bafta-winning creator of Rising Damp.

When Student Alan moves into an attic flat, he does not expect to find it already inhabited by someone else. They mysterious Philip claims to be the son of an African chief with ten wives waiting for him back home, but his presence is the least of Alan's worries.-1 woman, 3 men

Emily Baines and May Brewer share a room in a retirement home. Emily's previous room-mate, Bella, died not long ago. Iron-willed but forgetful, Emily is certain that Bella was murdered by one of the carers, and she has evidence to prove it. When her evidence disappears and Bella's sapphire ring is found among her possessions Emily cannot remember enough about her own past actions to stop the finger of suspicion pointing at her. It is not until May is attacked that the mystery is solved.-4 women, 1 man

Based on the television series "Only When I Laugh", this hospital comedy traces the fortunes of a trio of patients who form an uneasy alliance against the confusions and insecurities of hospital life.

Nigel Burke, aspiring playwright, has writer's block. When he is visited by the mysterious Potter, who knows of his interest in Byron and is given a goblet used by the poet, there are subtle changes in Nigel's confidence and manner, but then Byron himself appears!

Estate agent Kevin and his wife Valerie are to be subjected to an extended visit from her brother Victor, a successful con artist who has just been released from prison. Victor is delighted to hear that wealthy widow Lucy is also staying with them and it isn't long before he sets about charming her with a valuable diamond bracelet.

Vincent is a professional suicide merchant. He has been summoned by Walter Bryce and mistakenly assumes that his potion is for Walter's consumption. Eventually it becomes clear that Walter's wife Celia is the client or is she? Why are her suicide letters typed and unsigned? Several attempts to do away with various characters result in multiple poisonings of a rubber plant. Will anyone actually drink the potion?2 women, 3 men

Perennially hard-up, lecherous, conceited, dishonest and drunk, the eighteenth-century Squire Amos Haggard was first conceived by Michael Green and subsequently brought to television screens in Eric Chappell's much-loved ITV series.

This delightful, wry comedy centres on Nell, an attractive and intelligent woman who has been deserted by her husband and feels at the crossroads of her life. Her hopeless love affair with George Rush, a married local teacher and minor poet, seems bound to end in anger and frustration. George insists on conducting their romance in total secrecy until the arrival in Nell's life of Jim Grant which causes the dying affair to erupt suddenly into flames.3 women, 2 men

It's a cold winter's evening and bitter, irascible divorce Henry is enjoying a Scotch and some classical music in glorious solitude. He is soon disturbed, however, by the unwelcome appearance of his son Matthew, bringing with him his new girlfriend. This is just the beginning, for who should arrive next but Henry's ex-wife, Matthew's mother, Sue.

In "Theft", Chappell's comedy-thriller, two seemingly happy marriages and one formerly strong friendship are destroyed by the burglar with his own brand of subversive observation. This play is packed with one-liners, daring reversals and comments on marriage, money, and crime.

Philip Conway, Deputy Prime Minister, is attending a party conference. He has been tipped to be the new party leader, but his campaign for powers is in serious danger of collapse. This is a play about the underhand dealing that goes on in political circles - who will get their just desserts?

'Fickle thing, memory.' Malcolm discovers how true his words are when he takes his friend Clive to a singles' evening.

Bookseller Alec Firth is having an affair with his assistant, Liz, and has craftily organized his domestic life so that they can go to Spain without making Alec's wife Maggie remotely suspicious. What could possibly go wrong? The answer: plenty.

Assumed identities, breakneck pace and hilarious mishaps of farce mix with the tension and startling plot reversals of a thriller in this clever, amusing play which toured as Snakes and Ladders in 2002. The Spencers arrive for a peaceful holiday in a luxurious Spanish villa, closely followed by actor Howard Booth and his girlfriend. Unfortunately, Sam and Howard have matching holdalls which have become mixed up. Yet a third, identical holdall, full of money, brings the sinister Raynor to the villa...|2 women, 4 men

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