Books in the Acting Edition S. series

The year 1845 finds the Moulton Barrett family of London tight in the grip of a tyrannical father. His invalid daughter Elizabeth is gaining a brilliant reputation as a writer. Her verses reach Robert Browning who falls in love with her before they have ever met. Browning sweeps into Elizabeth's life with the invigorating force of a sea breeze and her father senses that his absolute authority is in danger. Tension mounts as Edward Moulton Barrett and Robert Browning engage in a struggle for Elizabeth's life and happiness. A big hit in London's West End.10 women, 30 men

Adapted from Sir Arthur Pinero's Trelawny of the Wells.-8 women, 10 men

Based upon Wycherley's The Country Wife, this rollicking Restoration revel throws off the shackles of Puritan austerity in a high spirited celebration of "the noblest urge bestowed on us". Ribaldry, romance and drama abound in the hilarious tale of Horner, a notorious London libertine. He charms and seduces his way into the hearts and boudoirs of society ladies, while practising elaborate deceptions so as to be trusted by the foolish husbands as a eunuch and chaperon to ladies of quality.-6 women, 8 men

A musical which provides roles for eight actors/singers, combining the work of Alan Ayckbourn with John Pattison's fully integrated score (published separately) that ranges from the operatic to pop.

This take on the traditional Victorian melodrama is aimed at young performers and is a lot sillier than most other versions. Queen Victoria is just one addition to the usual list of characters. Mrs Lovett's automated pie-making machine, a riot in the madhouse at Peckham and a police chase involving most of the cast are among the many opportunities for slapstick and physical theatre. The well-known storyline is still in there somewhere but this is more 'Carry On' than Sondheim.-Large flexible cast

Presents in a two-act play the adventures of Meg, a rather unsuccessful witch, and her mute cat, Mog, who has to communicate with mime.

Written for London's Theatre Royal, Stratford East, this pantomime combines all the traditional elements with original characterisations, imaginative and innovative staging ideas and witty, melodic songs.-Large flexible cast

Unfortunately, murder, robbery and blackmail all start to recoil on her own head. The end of the story is one of disaster.4 women, 2 men

In vividly dramatic form, this play tells how a remote Chinese village comes to terms with Communism. Every revolution creates new words. The Chinese revolution created a whole new vocabulary in which a very important word is "fanshen" which literally means "to turn the body" or "to turn over." To hundreds of millions of landless and poor peasants it means to stand up, throw off the landlords' yoke, and gain land, stock, and houses. Moreover it means to enter a new world and this play is the story of how the peasants of Long Bow build a new world.2 women, 7 men

Following the adventures of its eponymous hero from birth through three decades, this acclaimed stage adaptation presents a plethora of brilliant characters from the original novel: the Peggottys; 'umble Heep; eccentric Aunt Betsey and Steerforth, young David's champion. Two actors play David Copperfield: one the young David, the other David's older self, each interacting throughout.10 women, 13 men

Written for London's Theatre Royal, Stratford East, this pantomime combines all the traditional elements with original characterizations, imaginative and innovative staging ideas and witty, melodic songs.Large flexible cast

The King of Murania is dead! Long live the King! But the heir is Nikki, twenty years in exile, and living with actress Marta Karillos, disliked and distrusted by the people. To ensure a suitable succession, Elena, the Queen Mother, acidly witty and a schemer of genius, persuades Nikki to accept the crown, marry Cristiane - the snow princess from Norseland - and beget an heir as soon as is decently possible. Nikki agrees, provided his beloved Marta can be installed, in considerable grandeur, not too far from the royal abode.|Large flexible cast

An adaptation and translation of Nestroy's farce concerning the expectations of class and the folly of deception.

Hijack Over Hygenia is set in an aeroplane interior, on a roof, in a throne room and in a bedroom. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous Measle enters illegally and starts bringing the inhabitants out in spots. It is all the plot of Dr. Spicknspan who, owing to the pervading healthiness, is always out of work. Things look serious, but the plot is foiled by the gallantry of the royal staff: peace, health and cleanliness are restored.|4 women, 8 men

In the story of Follow That Girl we meet Victoria Gilchrist whose Victorian father and mother have condemned her to wed one of two wealthy shopkeeper suitors, Tancred and Wilberforce. Rather than agree to her parents wishes Victoria runs away.|8 women, 10 men

The play tells the story, in the form of a rock musical, of the great hero of Viking times, Beowulf. The first half concentrates on his battle with the loathsome monster, Grendel, and his marriage to Hygd, daughter of the Danish King Hrothgar.4 women, 9 men

Rich in humour, conflict and depth, The Circle follows Lady Kitty, who had given up a stuffy life with her titled husband to run away with a young adventurer, as she watches her niece, Elizabeth about to make the same mistake 20 years later. Glynis Johns, Rex Harrison and Stewart Granger starred in a hit revival of Maugham's sparkling comedy of manners on Broadway.-3 women, 4 men

It is Christmas Eve in the tropical prison colony of Cayenne. Felix Dulay, a hopeless storekeeper, is fearfully awaiting the owner, Gaston. Providence has given the Dulays three guardian angels - three convicts! In no time they have cooked Christmas lunch - and Felix's books - and will loose their own executioner on Gaston for his cruel behaviour!3 women, 7 men

Barbara Love is a famous TV star who, just before her Christmas party, is threatened by a chilling voice on her answering machine and then receives a macabre present boxed in a miniature coffin. Not so much a 'whodunnit' but more a 'who's going to do it', as along troop the staff of her television show for the Christmas buffet, each one of them with a motive to murder her. The tension mounts as this cunningly plotted thriller twists and turns towards the final spine-tingling revelation.2 women, 6 men

Jean Anouilh's sharp and witty new play, which enjoyed a season at the Queen's Theatre, London, centres around the ageing, gout-stricken and passe playwright Leon Saint-Pe, as he struggles manfully to being a new play, provisionally entitled Les Miserables, despite the constant interruptions and selfish demands of his utterly egocentric family and friends. A master of the art of dramatic contrivance, Anouilh displays his usual stylish blend of cynicism and subtle irony when he has Leon, eventually deciding that everyone on earth is wholly self-centred, rechristen his play, Number One.|5 women, 5 men

Written for Chiswick Youth Theatre, this play of rich comedy and powerful drama has a large cast, with a preponderance of good female roles. The daughters are the young girls taken in as orphans and cared for by the'sisters of the Piet¿¿. The convent is famous for its girls' orchestra under the direction of Vivaldi and the play follows the fortun's of three of the girls about to enter the harsh commercial world.13 women, 9 men

Pulling himself out of the rut of his middle-aged executive lifestyle, Roger Piper stumbles into a sixteen-month tempestuous affair with the effervescent Angela Caxton, and is thrown into a whirlwind of romances and champagne. He discovers that Angie does not share his obsession with their relationship and after multiple crises the affair ends in tragedy.|3 women, 4 men

Owing to the difficulties of actually writing it down, a group of children imagine their play in which there are scenes from a fairy tale - The Princess and the Woodcutter - a pirate story and a Christmas episode which includes many pantomime and nursery rhyme characters.|Large flexible cast

This play traces the ups and downs in the life of Henry Pratt. Born in 1935, Henry's childhood is disrupted first by war, then by the death of his mother and father. Henry is packed off to prep school and then public school and then lives with grown-up cousin Hilda. The play ends in 1953, as he begins his National Service. David Nobbs is well known as a TV writer of quality and this play was screened under the title The Life and Times of Henry Pratt.Large flexible cast

The action starts in Mrs. Macdonald's farmyard. Jack, her son, is preoccupied with his dream of building a rocket. At first this leads him astray, but eventually proves he's really a winner. His sister is the only practical member of the family, a hard-working tomboy. The family is threatened with eviction by Mr. Meany, an unfair landlord. Jack is sent to sell Marigold, the cow. Meanwhile, the arrival of a spaceship containing Buzz and Beep, two spacemen on a mission to find a cow, leads to unusual complications.Large flexible cast

Rupert and his famous friends, including Edward Trunk, Bill Badger, Podgy Pig, Algy Pug, Pong Ping and Tiger Lily feature in this new story. Edward Trunk wishes for a sunny day for his birthday, but Nutwood is currently experiencing only winter weather. On the advice of Wise Owl, Rupert goes to see the Clerk of the Weather. The friendly Green Dragon is a great help, but Zita, the Ice Maid, has to be foiled first! Tuneful songs and lots of audience participation.

Newly acquired BA gowns hang heavy on the shoulders of Jane and Timothy. Having got this far, what on earth do they do next? They could get married, of course (so they do), but how can they make a living? In a London park one breathlessly warm summer day they encounter a tramp who trundles round a mobile mini-piano. Even tramps need a holiday now and then, and he invites the young graduates to look after his business interests for a month at OE¿7 per week plus whatever they can collect. The piano is not just any old mobile mini; those who hear it find themselves dancing, even against their better judgment. On this gentle thread of story is strung a series of revue-type scenes providing rich opportunities for versatile comedy players who can also sing and dance. For the chorus Originally, nothing! The production which ran for 2,283 record-breaking performances at the Vaudeville had a cast of twelve, plus a pianist, who between them played fifty-five roles of assorted lengths - the star of one scene being required, perhaps, to do no more than walk on in the next. Needless to say, there is every opportunity for an imaginative producer to use a much larger cast.

Class 6C are given a hypothetical sum of ¿100 to invest on the Stock Exchange by the patronizing local bank manager. However Class 6C play it for real and nobody can believe their luck when they manage to make a profit of several thousand pounds - and that's only the beginning of their problems!9 women, 3 men