Books in the Acting Edition S. series

The structure of this play is a loosely connected sequence of sketches, some deliberately written for great comic effect, and others pitched in a much lower key. It is about a boy growing up in the period from the end of World War Two to the late 1960s.Large flexible cast

Three women in the hospital for cancer treatments must cope with the uncertainties of their health and with the inevitable secrets and half truths from relatives and the nursing staff. Marlene, the strongest and most outspoken of them, keeps the atmosphere in the ward cheery. Her activities add considerable interest to their hospital stays.-5 women, 2 women or men

This dramatization of the correspondence between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West provides insight into the lives of two artists over 20 years up to Woolf's suicide in 1941.

Two Into One is about nothing more than the hilarious attempts of a Member of Parliament to arrange a dalliance with a secretary for the PM in an out of the way little hotel. Unfortunately, he engages one of his aides to arrange the whole thing. The aide is something of a charming bumbler and he gets everything all mixed up. Also on hand are the pompously disapproving hotel manager, a venal ethnic waiter and a female Labour politician who crusades against pornography on the one hand, while on the other she is trying to lure the bumbling civil servant into bed!-5 women, 5 men

A witty, astutely observed study of sexual politics in contemporary society which centres on an all-female reading group. Oriole wants to study contemporary authors, while Anne prefers well-known classics. Pondering the relative merits, the women reveal themselves, their personalities echoing the literary heroines. But not everyone is there for literature. Nefarious designs are uncovered and tensions rise to a dramatic climax.5 women, 2 men

First produced in 1963 starring Alec Guinness and successfully revived to great acclaim on Broadway in 2009, this absurdist exploration of ego and mortality is set in the crumbling throne-room of the palace in an unnamed country where King Berenger the First has only the duration of the play to live.-3 women, 3 men

When a junior solicitor attends the funeral of the sole inhabitant of Eel Marsh House, he catches sight of a wasted woman dressed in black. He feels uneasy, but his unease is deepened when the locals show their reluctance to talk to her. From the author of GENTLEMEN AND LADIES, I'M THE KING OF THE CASTLE and STRANGE MEETING.

Shirley and Rita, having run away from school, are hiding. They are surprised by two boys who know who they are from the newspapers. The play follows the developing relations among the four, Jeff and Rita becoming immediately attracted to each other. The encounter and the resulting delay alters all their plans.2 women, 2 men

Five teenage girls waiting for interviews with an employment service dream of the romantic, exciting jobs they would like-- derived from television series and films. The dreams are enacted by all the girls together. In each case there is a rude awakening. Finally, Beverly, the clearest sighted, brings them down to earth, forcing them to realize that their characters and abilities will fit them for only the drabbest of occupations.|5 women

A Student Edition of the classic play, with full introduction, commentary, notes on the text and questions for study.

Gambler, journalist, fervent alcoholic and four-times married Jeffrey Bernard writes the "Low Life" column for the Spectator magazine chronicling Soho life as well as offering a very personal philosophy on vodka, women and race-courses. From this, Keith Waterhouse has brilliantly constructed a play (the title being the euphemism used by the Spectator when Bernard is incapable of writing his column) which is set in the saloon bar of Bernard's favourite Soho pub, the Coach and Horses. Having passed out in the lavatory, Bernard awakes in the early hours of the morning to find himself alone and in the dark. Unable to contact the landlord, he is resigned to spending the rest of the night with a bottle of vodka and an endless chain of cigarettes, narrating a story of hilarious anecdotes and witty reminiscences which are enacted by two actors and two actresses who bring to life the various characters who populate Jeff 's world. Starring Peter O'Toole, later succeeded by Tom Conti then James Bolam, the play enjoyed a hugely successful run at the Apollo Theatre, London.

Jack Hardacre comes home on leave after three years in the army to find Milly, a pretty Londoner, billeted with his mother. He is immediately attracted, but becomes increasingly wretched because he has been trapped into an engagement by Janey Jenkins. Janey, strongly supported by her mother, is determined to hold him to it. Jack must also contend with Milly's other admirer, Joe Truman. Half distracted, Jack asks beery old Mrs Dorbell for a cure for love. She tells him – get married. Finally, at the height of a furious argument with Joe, Janey and Mrs Jenkins, Jack abruptly announces that the child Milly is carrying is his.| 6 women, 5 men

Clarissa, wife of a diplomat, is adept at spinning tales of adventure but when a murder takes place in her drawing room she finds live drama much harder to cope with. Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests. Hilarity ensues when they are interrupted by the arrival of wry detective, Inspector Lord.A conscious parody of the detective thriller, Christie delivers a unique blend of suspense and humour. There is tension and laughter in equal parts in an intricate plot of murder, police, drug addicts, invisible ink, hidden doorways and secret drawers.

A seedy lawyer has been waiting for years to make a grandstand defense. He is assigned to defend an innocuous little man accused of murdering his wife. The man cheerfully admits his guilt; he simply couldn''t stand his wife''s constant joking and laughing. The trial ends and the verdict is a foregone conclusion. The lawyer begs his client to let him appeal. Ironically the man is reprieved because of the ineptitude of his defense.|2 men

Graham, a middle-aged bachelor, emotionally retarded and chronically dependent on his mother, finds life difficult enough at the best of times. When Mother meets an old flame and seems set to marry him, however, Graham''s old insecurities rear their ugly heads again. Fate, eventually, rescues Graham and he resumes his normal life of banal muddle under his mother''s amnesiac tyranny.

Tony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know into strangling her for a fee of one thousand pounds, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself. Unfortunately...the murderer gets murdered and the victim survives.-1 woman, 4 men

"This popular children's book has been magically adapted into a play that toured extensively before its successful West End production at the Duke of York Theatre."--Publisher.