Books in the Acting Edition S. series

Based on the book by Michael Havers and Edward Grayson, and first seen at Chichester and subsequently at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket, London, in 1989, the play dramatizes the Victorian scandal of 1890 in which Sir William Gordon Cumming, a baronet and personal friend of the Prince of Wales, was accused by his mistress's husband of cheating at baccarat.-4 women, 9 men

When Mr Pullen comes to the office on a Saturday to finish the books for audit, he's astonished to find his employer, Sir Justin Holbrook, in the penthouse flat with a call girl. Unexpectedly, Lady Holbrook arrives and Holbrook passes the girl off as the second Mrs Pullen. A rich Arab sheikh is expected and England's entire fate depends on Holbrook signing an agreement with him, but Holbrook suddenly collapses and Pullen has to impersonate him. The arrival of the real Mrs Pullen and others leads to an impenetrable maze of confused identities eventually resulting in Mrs Pullen going off with the sheikh and Pullen installed, presumably permanently, as Sir Justin with all that entails, including his highly attractive Lady.3 women, 6 men

In the enclosed, insulated world of a London flat the only intrusion into which is a brief outburst of demonstrators' voices against the Home Secretary who lives nearby are worked out the permutations and combinations of Ann and her two lovers. Dave, her previous companion, a journalist, has been away and on returning finds that he has been replaced by Patrick, a conventional man of the office, amiable but dull. Though Ann rules the roost, she herself is weak enough to be unable to do without one of them; and in the end Dave is reinstalled and Patrick dismissed. But how long this will last is anybody's guess.-1 woman, 2 men

Emily Bronte's classic is set on the bleak Yorkshire moors, where the drama of Catherine and Heathcliff, Heathcliff's cruel revenge against Edgar and Isabella Linton, and the promise of redemption through the next generation, is enacted.

The committee of an amateur dramatic group is meeting to discuss a new play written by one of its members. We notice that, strangely, the presentation of the meeting to us is reflecting the ideas put forward by the committee - making the play a demonstration and discussion of those ideas.

Lord Greycoat lost his son when the boy's carrycot dropped from a plane over the African jungle. An expedition is mounted to find the adult Zartan, who suffers from a split personality and doubts about his extraordinary size in comparison to his ant 'parents'. Through Greycoat's secretary, Jane, Zartan discovers his true identity - and love.-3 women, 6 men

Elizabeth, who is rebuilding her life after the death of her husband, moves into an ancient, thatched roof cottage called Crossways in the village where her parents and closest school friend live. While alive to its picturesque charm, Elizabeth is drawn to Crossways by a psychic feeling that she knows the cottage intimately. When a psychiatrist with a special interest in regression arrives in the village, a chilling, sixteenth century witch hunt is set in motion with Elizabeth as the victim.|7 women

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.|Large flexible cast

When Charlie Nicholson is offered a commission he sees a way to escape his debts and writer's block. Merlin Foster, an actor with multiple marriages behind him, has specific needs. Charlie's script must contain the perfect method and alibi for the murder of Merlin's wife.

Dramatized from the novels of John Galsworthy. Galsworthy's famous trilogy has been superbly adapted for the stage and achieved enormous acclaim following a national tour, starring Nyree Dawn Porter. Set between 1886 and 1920 with multiple locations cleverly contained within one set - a Victorian style conservatory - requiring the minimum of props, the play centres on Soames and Irene and the stifling, destructive power of the Forsyte family, embodied in the cold hauteur of Soames.|5 women, 5 men, 1 woman or man

Hill has turned H.G. Wells's novel into a music-hall romp. The sinister Griffin arrives with his face swathed in bandages, and the village wonder if it was really an accident that destroyed his face - there is only one way to find out. So the Invisible Man takes his bandages off to reveal no head!

After rescuing a toy duck from the dustbin in their backyard, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wheeler, two temporarily nomadic garden gnomes, decide to venture over the garden wall into the big wide world. Their object is to find a holiday island, just like the 'Big Ones', but being unused to the hazards of the concrete jungle of the town, they almost don't make it. Until they meet Chips, that is. Chips is a very cool cat, and with his help the gnomes and Baby Duck survive several urban adventures before reaching their island in the sun. Although it is not quite as expected (a traffic island!), they all agree that it is the best holiday they have ever had.|Flexible cast

Based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier. Spending a holiday with her family in a luxury hotel during a heat-wave, Marie finds life with her conservative, passionless husband suffocatingly repressive. He is unexpectedly called away on business and, inspired by hints dropped by her easy-going friend Elise, Marie starts an affair with a handsome young photographer, undeterred by the fact that he has a club-foot. The brief infatuation brings tragedy and horror, leading to the photographer's death, a threat of blackmail by his sister, also club-footed, and finally an even more fearful dread, following an innocent remark by Marie's husband, that such deformities are sometimes inherited, latent in an unborn child.|4 women, 3 men, 2 girls

"Feared by the bad, loved by the good" goes the song about Robin Hood, but in the case of Albert Ross, the distinction is not quite so clear-cut. For Albert is a coward, transferring his allegiance from Merry Men to Sheriff and back again at the drop of a hat - or rather, at the point of a sword. All of which lands Albert, his wife, Robin and Maid Marian in some very awkward situations...2 women, 7 men

Now retired, the General tries to keep old age at bay by dallying with every available pretty woman. His wife Emily, a determined invalid, perpetually complains of her husband''s peccadilloes. Seventeen years ago, as they danced to the Waltz of the Toreadors, the General and Ghislaine de Ste Euvert fell in love. Ghislaine has waited, chaste and faithful, for the day when the General will be free of Emily. Now she comes to claim her man, armed with letters that prove Emily has been unfaithful.|7 women, 4 men

This hilarious farce begins quietly enough with Howard and Penny asleep. A burglar climbs through the window and steals various items, including Howard''s suit. Awakening, Howard announces his intention to get back to the wife! But how can he in only vest and underpants? Before you can say "jockey shorts" he is being chased around the flat by his Danish au pair, the Home Secretary and a randy constable who doubles as a flasher. Add to this a punk with rainbow coloured hair, a gravelly voice Captain and a singing telegram Gorilla and you have the ingredients for a night of outrageous fun!|3 women, 6 men

Adapted from the novel by Anthony Hope. This fine imperialist adventure is brought vividly to life in Matthew Francis's stirring adaptation which plunges straight into the heart of the Ruritanian dynastic conflict. Rudolph Rassendyll, young English gallant, is distantly related on the wrong side of the blanket to the Ruritanian royal family. When the Crown Prince is drugged by Black Michael, Rudolph steps in and takes the Prince's place at his coronation.|2 women, 9 men, 4 women or men

Adapted from "La Main Passe!", this play is set in turn-of-the-century Paris where Madame Chanal is having an affiar with Masenay, who is also married. In true Feydeau style there is a frenzied domino effect of mistaken identities, lots of door banging, and drop-your-trousers scenes.

The ecological effects of pollution are seen from the perspective of shellfish in this delightfully told saga. Urchin, Mussel, Starfish, Seagull and the shellfish H.C. fight to survive an oil spill resulting from the collision of ships at sea. The audience is encourage to participate in battles with Sludge and The Great Slick.|7 women or 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

Vocal score on hire. Perusal material available.|7 women, 9 men

Head waiters of White Horse Inn have found that to fall in love with the attractive young widow who owns the establishment is a swift and certain route to dismissal. Yet none have been able to resist Josepha; least of all Leopold, the present incumbent. She, however, pines for Valentine Sutton, a regular visitor from England, and is resolutely blind to all the evidence that his thoughts for her are no more than warm friendship.|6 women, 12 men

Charles Kingsley''s well-loved story of The Water Babies is enchantingly brought to life in this adaptation by Willis Hall. The tale of young Tom, apprentice to the unpleasant chimney-sweep Mr Grimes, and his underwater journey to the End-Of-Nowhere is interspersed with delightful songs by John Cooper. In the original professional touring production, puppets were used to represent The Water Babies and underwater creatures, but small children could be used to play these parts in, for example, schools'' productions.|6 women, 3 men

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

Following the successful television series based on Barbara Euphan Todd''s children''s classic, Keith Waterhouse, Willis Hall and Denis King bring us a new, effervescent stage musical of the story of Worzel Gummidge. The naughty, petulant, greedy, yet always lovable scarecrow is here with all the familiar characters: Aunt Sally, Sergeant Beetroot and Sue and John. Brought to life by the Crowman, Worzel creates havoc and farce wherever he goes in his frenzied efforts to win Aunt Sally''s unwilling hand until he finds himself before the scarecrow court on a very serious charge. But the final resolution is a happy one with a birthday cake enormous enough to satisfy even Worzel''s appetite!|5 women, 13 men

This award winning play concerns the disappearance of Sarah Casey, who goes missing after leaving a seedy bar in Hell's Kitchen. The last person to see her was Elston Rupp, who works in a thrift shop and dresses in his clients' clothes. Was she killed, or did she try to escape her existence?

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.