Books in the Acting Edition S. series

Intending to kill himself, Wallace books into an hotel run by Arthur and Stella. Wallace''s plans, however, are repeatedly thwarted and his determination wavers. After he and Arthur discuss their hatred for their respective wives, Wallace is fired with new determination to end it all, leaving poor Arthur contemplating a similar approach to escape from the unpleasant Stella.|1 woman, 2 men

When Robert misdials, Annie is ready to hang up on what she thinks is a nuisance caller. However, this telephone call is the start of a distant yet significant relationship. Both plagued by love troubles, they enjoy the opportunity to let off steam and take a few tips and so perhaps begin again.

Two amateur drama groups become joint winners of a play festival. A tie-break involves the groups performing an extract from their own entry and then an excerpt from the opposing team''s play, but the pieces are very different. They compete again with hilarious results but the outcome is still a tie. This time a rugby scrum will decide the winner!|4 women, 4 men, 2 women or men

When Peter and Robyn wake up the morning after a dinner party at the home of their friends and employers David and Jane Valentine, they are still shocked at having been sacked by David the night before. More shocks are to come for David appears to be dead, and Jane calmly announces she killed him. At first Peter and Robyn refuse to believe her, but as she explains the "how, when and why" of the murder, they are forced to accept she has committed the "perfect" crime and to avoid implicating themselves, they will have to help her to dispose of the body. Stunned and bitter, they leave, but then it transpires that the "murder" is really an elaborate practical joke. Or is it?|2 women, 2 men

A Respectable Funeral is one of the first one act plays from the sensitive and humorous pen of Jimmie Chinn. It was presented and performed as a double bill - with one of Mr Chinn''s other plays, From Here To The Library - under the title of Back To Back in Oldham. Both plays can be performed separately or as an entertaining double bill.|3 women, 1 man

Kevin, an upwardly mobile family man, is manipulated into an affair by the glamorous Kitty who then manoeuvres the pliable Kevin into confessing the affair to his wife. After an acrimonious scene, she takes the children and leaves. Each of the characters shows their true persona in revealing monologues, with the dark undertones of Kitty''s real nature only surfacing at the play''s climax.|2 women, 1 man

This poignant monologue sees Pauline sitting at the bedside of her dying mother. As she mulls over her own churning emotions she realizes a love that, it eventually transpires, is now too late to communicate.|2 women

Muriel's husband Ralph has just died, leaving her well off, until her son Giles invests the money unwisely. Eventually, neglected by Giles and her disturbed daughter Margaret, Muriel ends the play alone and poor, determined to cheerfully "soldier on". From the stage version of "Talking Heads".

Verne Morgan''s pantomimes are clear and straightforward, following the traditional stories closely. Choice of music for songs and dances is left to the director.|Large flexible cast

This is a full length pantomime, entirely traditional with lots of humour and with its own original and delightful score by Eric Gilder which is available separately. The large number of both amateur and professional groups who present Crocker and Gilder pantomimes regularly every year is unmistakable proof of their success. Vocal score on sale.|Large flexible cast

Book by Warner Brown and David Heneker. Music by David Heneker. Characters: 4 male, 4 female This British salute to Hollywood''s glorious era of silent pictures is ideal for stock and community theatres. Characters include D. W. Griffith, Mack Sennett, Mary Pickford, and Lillian Gish. "This delightfully unassuming show contains the same naive charm as those early flicks.... [It''s a] minor miracle."-- The Daily Mail "A joyous celebration."-- International Herald Tribune

An odd assortment of guests are warned against going into the woods for it is Midsummer Eve (there is no woods in the neighborhood, but legend says that it sometimes appears). A philanderer, his young wife and the current object of his affections; an artist who has lost faith in himself and his wife who despises him; indolent lady and a delightful old couple venture into the forest that appears outside the windows and find dreams and desires answered.|6 women, 4 men

The day before Edwina Black''s funeral, Inspector Martin calls to interview her husband Gregory, her companion Elizabeth and her housekeeper, Ellen. Gregory has long endured the domination of his wealthy wife, but is in love with Elizabeth. It is revealed Edwina died from arsenic. Gregory and Elizabeth quarrel bitterly. However Ellen confesses that Edwina poisoned he''self: with vindictive spite she devised a suicide which would serve to incriminate Gregory and Elizabeth and so destroy them.|2 women, 2 men

Sir Hector Benbow invites Cherry, a pretty shop assistant, to dine. Arriving home, he finds not only Cherry but Mrs Frush, to whom he has rented Thark, his neice''s Norfolk house. Mrs Frush complains Thark is haunted. To distract Lady Benbow''s attention from Cherry, he suggests everyone go to Thark, which lives up to its spinechilling reputation. A wild night, sinister butler and plethora of romantic mix-ups add to the lively proceedings.|5 women, 6 men

In a squalid attic flat in the the freezing darkness of a Huddersfield winter, Malcolm Scrawdyke and his fellow Northern art students smoke and rehearse their revolutionary assault upon authority. According to Malcolm, the choice is simple: ''Freedom or serfdom''. The manifesto established, the ''Party of Dynamic Erection'' begins its surreal offensive upon the eunuchs (dunces) who stand in the way of inevitable triumph. David Halliwell''s classic play is set in the Sixties, an age given over to youth and rebellion.

It is Ida''s eighty-sixth birthday ΓÇö a milestone she would rather not have reached. Her family has gathered to celebrate with a birthday tea. After tea is cleared the family disperse leaving Katherine remembering a pact she made with Ida not to let her suffer into old age. She helps her out of her misery and into the next world. Returning to find a mercy-killer in the house the family proceed to reveal a panorama of English mores at their hilarious worst.|5 women, 3 men

When her husband dies in a car crash, Diana is determined to succeed as the new head of his successful company. Her son Alec believes the position should be his, while her younger son demands more of the family fortune. When strange events start happening in the house and a voice haunts her, Diana's fears and uncertainties increase.|2 women, 3 men

A highly entertaining and ingenious black comedy. Four elderly ladies have been''sharing their lives in Violet''s rented house, pooling their pension books and sharing chores. After a mugging Violet dies, but Marge, Lottie and Doris omit to tell the authorities and leave Violet''s body peacefully in the cemetery. However, Violet''s granddaughter, Ronnie, arrives from Australia in search of her relative...|6 women, 1 man

When Morris and Jean win the National Lottery their lives are irredeemably changed - the question is, for better or worse? John Godber's comedy examines the social phenomenon, and asks can money buy happiness? And is enough ever enough?

A play which takes a look at the pop business, charting the rise to fame of a fictitious band - Freedom. During a performance at Wembley, when the band's future looks bleak amidst of reports of drugs, drink and public brawls, five young stars reflect and reveal the truth behind the music business.

Alan Brown''s pantomimes recreate those of Victorian times, blending traditional elements - including Harlequin interludes and suggestions for period songs - with subtle updatings to suit modern young audiences.|Large flexible cast

The Wedding and The Funeral make up the two parts of this comedy in which we are introduced to the same family, first making preparations for a wedding and subsequently, six months later, returning from the funeral of their Uncle Arthur, a lovable personality who provides the link between the two plays.|7 women, 7 men

Condemned to burn at the stake, Joan of Arc is denied a rosary, a cross or any form of service. Her sympathetic guard arranges for her to receive last rites. In consequence, he is imprisoned after Joan''s death. He refuses to acknowledge her powers of witchcraft. Like Joan, he will not gain his freedom at the expense of the truth.|1 woman, 1 man

This is an amusing, subtle parody of the backstage goings-on of an amateur dramatic society. While N.J. Warburton''s play Don''t Blame It On the Boots centred on the onstage difficulties of the amateur dramatic society''s production of Hamlet, here we see the stage crew struggling to play their part against all the odds.|4 women, 2 men, 2 women or men

A hot summer's day, a good lunch and several bottles of wine conspire to make this Sunday a day of revelations for Yvonne, her husband Lawrence, and their friend, Fraser. Yvonne bemoans a lack of excitement in her life but when Fraser confesses to always having loved her, she shies away, scared of commitment. This moving and ironic study of three old friends is from the author of the acclaimed A State of Affairs.|2 women, 2 men

Laura and Richard Cartwright have booked a table for lunch at their favourite restaurant, but they are not exactly celebrating, the event they are commemorating is their divorce. Comedy and pathos run through this play and the ambiguous ending is intended to be hopeful and resigned.

Tyrannized by Mr Bristow, the female members of his household are horrified to hear he has retired to devote his time to them. Agnes and Lucy doctor his medicine; Dora hunts for a pair of scissors while Hattie disappears upstairs with her melted wax doll. In the midst of all this Mr Bristow dies inexplicably of heart failure.|5 women

Lady Cleveland has helped the Little Dowgate branch of the Women's Institute in the past, and four of its members are determined to repay her at all costs. When old Bates, Lady Cleveland's gardener, goes into hospital they see a perfect opportunity.|8 women

Captain Blackboot and crew have been living on the desert island for months and he has worked out a Treasure Trail hoping his island will become famous. Three young seekers arrive followed by Wicked Pirates and even the Captain's wife and children. Real treasure is found and a battle results.|Large flexible cast

Jeffrey and Belinda are just about to type the last word of their new play when a full range of characters come to life and start to enact parts the authors can no longer control. A ghost writer lends a hand. As the play draws to a close, the writers find themselves totally embroiled in the action and only the ghost''s ironical laughter is left for a grand finale!|8 women, 13 men