Books in the Acting Edition series

A quiet, domesticated couple, Fred and Norah, live in a London suburb. They have married later in life than most people and  are devoted to one another. It is Fred's practice to go out for a glass of bitter in the evenings and on this particular occasion, while he is away, Norah has a visitor - a flash-looking young woman, Evie and Norah is faced with a decision difficult to make.|2 women, 3 men

With All My Love I Hate You is a tense play for two women. Julia is surprised to receive a visit from her one-time friend Clare ¿ and a little apprehensive too, because for some years she has been mistress to Jerry, Clare¿s husband, and has even borne him a son. Clare, in a pathetic state of misery following the death of her own small child and Jerry¿s hatred of her, seems just to want to talk to and be comforted by Julia, but as time passes it becomes clear that she is deliberately goading the other woman for some purpose of her own. What starts as a quiet and uncomfortable talk erupts into violence and tragedy, with an ironic twist at the end.|2 women

Ralph, in his seventies and terminally ill, has two final missions: to be reconciled to his long-abandoned son Michael, and, secretly, to ensure he is not a burden to his younger, devoted wife Anna as he goes "into that good night". But Ralph wrecks all hope of reconciliation when he picks a fight with Michael's girlfriend. Later, alone, Ralph receives the "Visitor" whose services he has hired to provide the painless ending. But the visitor plays a devastating trick.|2 women, 3 men

A comedy of errors centring around the home of union member Albert Hellewell, whose wife declares strike action herself and moves out, leaving Albert to cope with the arrival of glamorous variety actress Mrs Flannel and her daughter, who get rather too comfortable in the Hellewell home.

Miss Moffat settles in a remote Welsh mining village and starts a school for the local boys, one of whom, Morgan Evans, shows great promise. Miss Moffat determin's to do everything to help Morgan's application for a scholarship to Oxford. But Morgan rebels against help from a woman and falls prey to the flashy charms of Bessie Watty. His chances of success are almost destroyed but Miss Moffat's courageous wisdom and her affection for him win the day and Morgan wins the scholarship.5 women, 10 men

Set immediately after the Great War in 1918. Maugham called it "a farce in three acts". After the death of her husband, William, the spoilt and beautiful Victoria married his best friend, Frederick. When William comes back after the war alive after all, each man can hardly wait to surrender her to the other. However, Victoria seems to have another admirer waiting in the wings.-7 women, 5 men

Joshua is about to become a brother, isn't happy at the prospect, and doesn't want to stay with Uncle Ronnie and five-year-old Lucy. Then Joshua finds a dinosaur egg and a magical adventure begins as they travel back in time to return the egg. Written for adults to perform to children aged from five to seven it is also successful with audiences up to age eleven.|2 women, 1 man, 4 women or men

The Fogden's are expecting a paying guest to stay with them for the summer. Great-Aunt Popsy is preoccupied with a recent murder in the papers by a woman who has fed her husband with a poisoned shepherd's pie and is now at large. The village gossip, Miss Iggulden, suggests that the guest who has arrived and who has presented them with a shepherd's pie is the murderess. Very soon various mysteries about the guest lead the whole family to think the same. It is only when a neighbour arrives and explains that the guest is really a lecturer on cookery who has been misdirected that the mystery is cleared up. | 8 women

The new vicar has transformed the vicarage with his flair for interior design. One of the village spinsters, Hester Byfield makes it plain that she is interested in him - romantically - but she is spurned. One of the village girls comes to see him and says that she is pregnant and ne'er do well teenager Larry is the father. after leaving the vicarage she sees Larry in the arms of the vicar's maid and distraught steps in front of an oncoming lorry and is killed. The vicar invites Larry over to the vicarage and tells him that he holds him responsible for the girl's death. Larry is in a dishevelled state as he has been fighting. | 4 women, 5 men

Marcia's parents, own a country cottage intended for quiet week-ends. It does not, however, work out that way on some occasions. The place is never quite ready and neighbours drop in at inconvenient moments. Marcia and her husband arrive to join the party, but the couple are not on the best of terms. Miranda, a young guest, is emabrassingly devoted to Denys, Marcia's young brother, who is attracted to the more glamorous Rowena Marriott, with whom he arrives. Mildred has to cope with the complications which develop in such an ill-assorted party. Adrian Barasford, a bachelor neighbour, is divided between fishing and his devotion to Mary Jarrow, a charming middle-aged woman living nearby. Everything seems to be going wrong.| 8 women, 5 men

"To meet Oscar Wilde" was an inducement printed by Victorian Society hostesses on soirée invitations. In this fascinating play Oscar Wilde gives a dissertation on his life in a lecture in 1899. Supported by his friend, Lord Evelyn, and an actress, Penelope Dyall - who between them enact all the male and female characters mentioned in the dissertation - we are taken, in a series of short scenes, on a journey through Wilde's life.|1 woman, 2 men

This historical romp finds diarist and 'father of the Admiralty Samuel Pepys rescuing lovely singer Mrs Knight from a violent pickpocket, then slyly arranging a musical tryst with her that evening. His dinner guests include young francophile dandy Pelham Humphries and brazen Mrs Pierce and Mrs Knepp, but Pepys declares he has urgent business at the Navy office. His attractive wife sees him dress up, and knowing his ways with women, doesn't believe his story. Back home Sam and wife confront one another with various accusations, protestations and extractions of mutual promises of fidelity. It is now past midnight, their adventures are over... and so to bed.| 10 women, 12 men

In the drawing room of a house in the country three women are arguing over a man. The man is Colin, and the argument is heated, for one of the women is his mother, another his wife Clare, and the third his mistress Helen. All four allow their tempers to get out of control, and painful truths are told. Colin, a weak man, is on the point of leaving when there is an unexpected interruption. Outside their open windows a film director, the formidable Kramer, has been listening to their arguments and taking notes and insists that they have been indulging in bad theatre and that they must go through their parts again, but with his direction...|4 women, 2 men

A humorous portrayal of how mothers are treated in a family. It was first performed as a play in 1953.                     |3 women, 2 men

The household of a Bloomsbury lodging house is composed of the landlady, who cheats her lodgers; a slavey; a major - who drinks and bullies his wife; a shark a cad; a retired bookmaker; and others all as unpleasant as one could wish. The third-floor back is taken by a passer-by a mysterious personage, who interviews all the boarders, and influences them to lead better lives.| 6 women, 6 men

Nigel Sheridan's suburban life is, superficially, idyllic. He has an attractive wife; bright, well-behaved teenage children; a pleasant house; peace and stability ... But for several years Nigel has harboured a secret, and today his wife Eve has discovered it. How will the family survive the revelation that Nigel is having an affair in this intense, caustic drama?

It is 1950 and revolution has swept a country and now reached a mission station which cares for children. A new Communist government has taken over and there has been persecution of Nuns and Priests throughout the province. The Mission has been cut off from the local village and the orphaned children have been removed. The British Consul, together with his wife Ruth visits the Mission, both have a deep-seated dislike of Germans because of their son's death in the Second World War. A letter arrives from Mei Cheng the governing General of the province addressed to Sister Magdalen. This elderly Nun looked after Mei Cheng when he was an orphaned boy many years previously and is the Generals Godmother. | 6 women, 3 men

Cecily Harrington has led a staid and proper existence. After winning a large amount of money in a sweepstake she desperately yearns for a life of adventure. Enter Bruce Lovell, a handsome and charming stranger who sweeps her off her feet. In a whirlwind romance, she recklessly abandons her job, friends and fianc¿ to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a country cottage. However, her newfound "love from a stranger" is not what it seems and in an astonishingly tense final scene, Cecily discovers the ghastly truth of her new love. "The final act is sure of its effect. The suspense is maintained; each turn of the story is clear and striking; the terror-stricken self-control of the girl and the man's gross and abominable insanity are depicted with every refinement. A successful thriller."THE TIMES "There is authentic and tremendous suspense about the struggle between Bruce and his wife. One feels that, if any bird did nest near this cottage, it would be the croaking raven or the fatal owl." THE OBSERVER

In a tatty provincial theatre "Fecund" is being staged. This comedy introduces us to those involved: from the stage manager (with a blinding hangover); to the leading actors (from the bitter to the plain incompetent) and others. The second act focuses on the audience, an equally mixed group.

The Affair is a 1962 play by Ronald Millar based on the novel by C.P. Snow. A group of professors at Cambridge University try to hire an old colleague back even though they all don't like him, they all agree he was dismissed unfairly.