Books in the Acting Edition S. series

It would be wrong to say nothing surprises the Paradocks, Bro and Middie. It's just that they take in their stride the things that would surprise us. The elephant in their garden, for instance, has actually been ordered, but this year the shop has made a mistake and sent the wrong size.2 women, 1 man

In this bubbling modern extravaganza for the young, the immaculate Miss Nadia Naive and her three pupils are swung into riotous Transylvanian happenings with the irrepressible Count and his gruesome acolytes. On the side of right are noble Nick Necrophilic, Father O'Stake, the cuddly Hansel and Gretel and the Fuddled Friends; can they prevail over the forces of darkness when these include the creme de la horrible creme such as the Countess Wraith, Genghis the groveling minion, the Zombies, the Fanged Brides and the dynamic sanguineous gentleman the Price of Vampireshimself? Plenty of good parts, a sizzling score and a fresh hilarious script.

Performed with Shadows of the Evening in London with Coward, Lilli Palmer and Irene Worth, this view of the haute monde is tempered by having the man and wife Americans this time. She is a social climber, while he is a rich cornhusker who couldn't care less about society. While the wife is entertaining a high and mighty prince downstairs, the husband is entertaining a threadbare princess upstairs. It doesn't take long for the husband to realize he has more in common with royalty than his wife does.2 women, 2 men

This version of the "comical cockney comedy" was rewritten by Stephen Fry and Mike Ockrent and first presented at the Leicester Haymarket Theatre in 1985 and features an abundance of well-known "toe-tapping" songs (including "Lambeth Walk" and "The Sun Has Got His Hat On").

Everyone has their dream, and this is no exception for the six mice living in the loft. Their dreams are conjured up by music as each hears a different tune played by an invisible Piper and each has to answer his call until only Tattymouse, who is completely deaf, is left. A highly original and thought-provoking play.6 women or men

This play, set in 1984, concerns five young soldiers, among them veterans of the Northern Ireland troubles - who are killing nothing but time in a Military Hospital ward. Fired by the author's anger at the Army's neglect of its wounded heroes, the play is a surprisingly tender and perceptive work.

The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants a purely romantic love affair. To court her, Jack pretends to be "Ensign Beverley", a poor army officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea of eloping with a poor soldier in spite of the objections of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. 4 women, 8 men

These two plays are set in a shabby genteel hotel on England''s south coast. Except for the two leads in each (which may be doubled) the same characters appear in both. In Table by the Window, a down-at-the-heels journalist is confronted by his ex-wife, a former model who provoked him to the violent act that sent him to prison, destroying his future. Still in love, they nevertheless go through another terrible scene and it is the hotel manager, Miss Cooper, who helps repair their broken lives. In Table Number Seven, a ''self-made'' army colonel without any true background and education to which he lays claim, finds solace with a spinster over the objections of her ruthless, domineering mother. When a sordid scandal threatens to drive them apart, Miss Cooper again comes to the rescue.

When the retiring professor in a chemistry department of a northern university chooses A1, a mediocre scientist but a brilliant administrator to succeed him as head of department, he sets in motion a chain of events that will test the department's endurance to the limit.

This exciting, adventure packed pantomime traces Robinson Crusoe''s voyage to Tobago where he hopes to locate the hidden treasure shown on the map given to him by Old Jim. Blackpatch, the Pirate, stows away on board, and later enlists the help of Jack boot and his band of bloodthirsty Pirates in an attempt to steal the treasure. Unfortunately Crusoe reckoned without Demon Oylslick, whose threat to pollute the High Seas is later repelled by Fairy Detergent. Crusoe encounters Man Friday and some hungry Cannibals, led by Queen Wotta Woppa, on the Island after his amazing shipwreck.|Large flexible cast

Mother Goose has insured the smooth running of Nursery rhyme land for years. The king''s on his throne, everyone''s happy and Humpty Dumpty is still in his egg on the palace wall. Then he has a great fall and mayhem is unleashed. Lovable, naive humpty loses his magic at the critical time and unwittingly brings about the collapse of Nursery rhyme Land. But all is not lost: the evil ones get their come uppance and the good their partners - and Humpty has his magical powers restored.|Large flexible cast

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

This Happy Breed covers twenty years in the life of the Frank and Ethel Bibbons and their children, from the end of World War I to the beginning of World War II. On one level the story is the chronicle of a middle class family. They haven''t done well in the years between the wars, but in the face of another conflict, family unity spans the chasm between the generations. At another level, this is the story of England, torn at times by the conflicts of its own progress, but quietly firm in its historical moments of crisis.

This comedy by the author of Stepping Out is a bitter sweet and perceptive look at the collapse of marriage and the development and decay of an affair. Bob is a do-it-yourself enthusiast kind of guy that longs to be needed. This is why even long after his divorce he continues to visit his former home, despite how much it irritates his new girlfriend, Diana, who doesn''t like the competition from his children or his Black and Decker.|2 women, 1 man

It is the Earl of Loam's whim to invite his servants once a month to the drawing room where they are treated as social equals. His daughter and friends are forced to serve them much to the distaste of Crichton, the butler, who knows his place. He accompanies the Earl on a yachting party with the three daughters, an affected young man and a sporting parson, as well as the lady's maid who is in love with Crichton. They are wrecked on a desert island and Crichton, at first imperceptibly, takes command and wins their devotion by his resourcefulness. The women vie for his favor. He chooses Lady Mary no longer indolent, but intensely vital for his wife.-12 women, 13 men

The staff of the Gwendolen Kyte School for Girls are an odd assortment of social misfits and eccentric types. Returning for a new term the teachers face a catalogue of catastrophe, and tension reaches breaking point when a government inspector arrives with anonymous letters defaming the school as outmoded, old-fashioned and unsafe, and the staff as unqualified.|10 women, 1 man

Just before dawn the play's characters - who represent every stratum of society - come to the wall overlooking a strange city whose gate is shut against them. At daybreak they are admitted and towards the end of the day some have found it to be the ideal earth has never achieved. So that everyone may know of this attainable perfection two of them make the sacrifice of leaving the city to return to their sinful world. Contained in the volume Priestley Plays II.|5 women, 4 men

Fans of his Ernie's Incredible Illucinations are sure to enjoy this story. Suzy lives in a cottage with her mother and her dog, Neville. Suave but sinister Mr. Accousticus moves into the big house across the street and Neville suddenly loses his bark. Suzy is certain the new neighbor is responsible so she and Neville search his house. What happens next? It's up to the audience in this imaginative tale.-8 women or men

The Heather Brothers' homage to swinging sixties music was a smash hit at the King's Head Theatre and it enjoyed a long run after transferring to London's Arts Theatre.-5 women, 4 men

Originally published: London: Faber and Faber, 1995.

Since their mother and father were shipwrecked, Crispian and Rosamund Carey have been living with their aunt and uncle. Rosamund discovers in a book that all lost loved ones are to be found in the land where the rainbow ends. Together with a Genie of a magic carpet found in the library and two friends, the children set out on their search.-Large flexible cast

Rose is an English elementary school teacher who is dissatisfied with her life, both at home and at work. At the school, she must contend with silly narrow-mindedness and at home, she must contend with a husband who appears bored both with marriage and with her. Eventually, Rose has a fling with a free-spirited fellow teacher and decides to divorce her husband. In a highly charged scene of great emotional depth, he forces her to confront the consequences of her ennui; and to wonder if, just maybe, some of her disenchantment with life is her own fault.5 women, 3 men

Actress Rose Trelawny falls in love with the grandson of a snobbish knight. Unfortunately her visit to her lover's home is a humiliating failure and she finds she can no longer act. But the elderly tyrant relents, unexpectedly developing an interest in the theatre; he even finances a play and finally gives his blessing to Rose and his grandson.|4 women, 7 men

A day in the latter part of pioneering biographer John Aubrey's life. "It is as if one is paying a visit to the house of an old man, who makes up for the absence of friends by bringing to life reminiscences of people, remembering them and telling stories about them."1 man

Tom and Annabel are a reasonably happy married couple. One evening they have an argument as to who loves the other most. A rough and tumble ensues, and Tom discovers to his horror that Annabel is dead. So starts a hectic evening of black farce, which also involves a policeman and Tom's literary agent. It seems no woman can enter the house without rapidly becoming deceased. Annabel's mother and Tom's appalling landlady follow and disposal of bodies becomes an acute problem. The arrival of a grim police inspector complicates matters until a further corpse involves him too.-4 women, 4 men

A summer evening's barbecue is the setting for a meeting of the Trealaw and District Operatic Society. Next season's play is to be announced but Nick, the society's business manager, has promised a different show and the plum roles to four different people. As the evening progresses each character's foibles and talents are revealed: Joyce, once talented and well meaning, is a lush; Teddy is alternately sweet and strident; Derek is pathetic but lovable. The complex relationships between players emerge as moments of pure slapstick and farce alternate with ones full of real drama and pathos.6 women, 4 men

Albie, dissatisfied with his life, decides to perform charitable work in the Sudan with his doctor lover, Mary, but his decision has damaging repercussions on those around him, especially his wife, Ruth. Whilst in the Sudan, Albie is held hostage leaving Ruth and Mary to poignantly take stock of their emotions.4 women, 4 men

Roland, a hard drinking tycoon, is considering buying an old Victorian house, once a brothel. His solicitor and the vendor, a builder, arrive to complete the deal. Also in the house are his wife, a frustrated dancer who is always considering leaving him, her brother and later the brother's fianc¿, who is uncertain whether or not to run away. In the course of one hectic night and morning, with continual running up and downstairs and in and out of rooms, these characters, each immersed in a personal problem, try to sort themselves out.-2 women, 4 men

Middle-aged and over weight British playwright Joe Green hasn't been able to write since the premiere of his play about a woman faced with a lifetime in a wheelchair a play not unlike the author's Duet for One. A young American actress who is suffering the debilitating effects of the illness that plagues the character in Joe's play wishes to procure the rights to perform in it Off-Broadway. A trans Atlantic telephone romance develops which shatters when Sarah finally meets Joe and realizes he is not the man of her dreams, but a mass of unkindness and self loathing.1 woman, 1 man