Books by Stephen Smith

A comprehensive philosophical exploration of the concept of gender. Asking the question, what is gender? - that is, what sort of thing do we take femininity and masculinity to be? - it considers how gender thinking is interwoven with ideas about human nature.

This play focuses on the zany world of the movie extra. Novice Mary is sent to the film shoot of a dubious sci-fi movie. At the early morning call she is initiated by seasoned pros, morose Malcolm and camp Roddy, but with the arrival of wealthy, eccentric Victoria, matters become decidedly wacky.

In this book, Stephen Smith focuses on "young Africa" - 40% of its population are under fifteen - and a dramatic demographic shift.

Mary decides to spice up her life and join Alfredo Leache's Background Artistes Agency. But spending just a short time in the office Mary learns that being a walk-on artiste isn't all glamour.3 women, 2 men

Four expectant mothers and one father find themselves in a small hospital room awaiting the midwife who is to give them their first Parentcraft class. Differences in experiences, outlook and class lead to some interesting and at times hilarious exchanges, as each of the five have to face, and come to terms with, the prejudices and foibles of their companions. An amazing revelation shocks them all - one of their number is not, in fact, going to be a parent at all!4 women, 1 man

A powerful and tense three hander based on the author's research while living in Thailand. Although written in the early nineties it is still topical today with themes of greed, morality and do the ends justify the means. Having made his name as a comedy writer this was the first of the author`s equally successful thrillers.|1 woman, 2 men

In a hotel room in Azerbaijan, Howard wakes up with a hangover. Proffering English tea and sympathy is ministry official, Yellena. Slowly, it emerges that Howard, who is to referee an important international football match, has disgraced himself the previous evening at a dinner. Or has he?

Stranded in an airport lounge during the inevitable delay of a holiday flight to Spain, Rosemary - "I`m a one-parent family, you see" - and her carbon-copy, not-very-bright daughter, Mandy, draw the reluctant Dennis and Shelia Tippit into a conversation.3 women, 1 man

UNDERGROUND ENGLAND takes an extraordinary and original look at our island nation - from below. Stephen Smith quite literally delves into the unknown country underneath ploughed fields, clifftops and market towns. UNDERGROUND ENGLAND will explore rudimentary earth dwellings and hidden Cold War cities; sulphurous natural springs and manmade underground waterways; priest holes and subterranean nooks created with more sinister purposes in mind. The author visits the endless military tunnels built below Chatham since the Napoleonic Wars; and the secret labyrinth quarried out under Liverpool by a religious eccentric. He gets into tight spots with speleologists, and gamely ventures down haunted tunnels and into the mythical resting-places of English kings. A fascinating and eye-opening exploration of the world that lies beneath our feet.

For a growing number of British holidaymakers, Cuba is a Caribbean paradise, but it is also a land of cutbacks and economic instability. Stephen Smith comes to live on the island, and his search for the real Cuba inevitably becomes a search for Fidel Castro too. Before meeting his quarry, Smith travels extensively through the 'land of miracles' in an old American automobile. His highly-personalised account features a bloody initiation into a voodoo-like cult, dining on giant rat, and checking into the Love Hotel. And he goes on manoeuvres in the Everglades with armed, but not especially competent, Cuban exiles dreaming of a second Bay of Pigs. With disarming wit and considerable insight, Stephen Smith investigates a country where communism and voodoo coexist, and where the influence of its leader of forty years continues to throw a long shadow.