Books in the Acting Edition S. series

Four dogs lie in cages in an animal shelter. A Dog's Life depicts the moment when a woman comes to the shelter and has to choose between the dogs - a choice that literally means life or death to the oldest, Ben. This compassionate drama, easy to stage - dog costumes are not required - is an ideal festival play.2 women, 3 men, 2 women or men

Louise Underwood's life revolves around the hamburger restaurant where she works, and the "Peppermints" night club, until she discovers Judo. This play charts her progress to Black Belt, involving sacrifices, crises of confidence, and battles with more experienced players.

Forming part of the Vanek Plays trilogy, Audience is a cleverly-constructed satire on power and those who wield it. Vanek is summoned to a meeting with the Head Maltster and offered promotion, but only if he informs on himself!2 men

This exuberant musical, with a delightful score, conjures up the timeless dream world of work-shy, beer-swilling Andy Capp, known the world over from Reg Smythe's cartoon strip in the Daily Mirror.9 women, 11 men

This domestic comedy explores the drama of a teenage marriage and the effects on a working-class British family. By the author of Alfie, this 1960''s Broadway hit was made into the film The Family Way which starred John and Hayley Mills.|4 women, 7 men

Everything that wealthy London society had to offer a properly brought-up girl lay at the feet of little Sarah Millick in 1875; but she fell so desperately in love with her handsome young singing master that she threw it all away in order to be with him.|12 women, 2 men

Don and Shirley Weston have come to the Scardale Hall Health Hydro to relax, pamper themselves and just possibly rescue their ailing marriage. Don's experiences with exercise and therapy are far from positive and the rifts in the marriage widen as his mid-life crisis becomes more and more evident, and moments of reconciliation do little to improve the situation.3 women, 3 men, 4 women or men

In the general direction of Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, and just off the edge of the map, lies the island of Terhou, so small that even the tourist trade has not yet invaded it. The entire population numbers no more people than are to be found in the average operatic society, and they sing all day, for they are happy folk. Or they would be, if only they could find a May Queen for their annual festival.|4 women, 9 men

This sparkling and fun filled version of the traditional tale of Dick Whittington is delightfully brought to life by the pantomine specialist John Morley. All the favorite characters are here - Tommy the Cat, Alice Fitzwarren, Sarah the Cook, King Rat, the Fairy of the Bells, and of course, Dick Whittington himself. The pantomime offers scope for lavish production but, if required, the staging can be very simple without in any way spoiling either the comedy routines or the telling of the famous story.-Large flexible cast

One of the funniest plays in dramatic literature, this modern version abounds with laughter. Th e son and daughter of the miser fall in love and are about to declare their intentions when the miser announces his own wedding plans: he, to the girl with whom his son is in love, and his wealthy friend, to his daughter. Aft er a few rollicking laps around the block in which the miser's hidden treasure figures, it is revealed that the rich friend is the long lost father of the boy who loves the miser's daughter and of the girl who is loved by the miser's son.-3 women, 11 men

This adaptation of Dickens' famous epic novel of the French revolution tells the story of English lawyer Sydney Carton and French aristocrat Charles Darnay, both caught up in the bloodshed of the French Revolution.

This futuristic musical is set in a small-town railway station. Harry Wooller, a vicar, is looking for sponsorship for his group's musical Mystery play. But when youth arsonists destroy Earl Smallboys' "Paradise Club", Earl pulls out of the deal.

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen's Guild Dramatic Society Murder MysteryDavid McGillivray and Walter Zerlin JnrFull Length, ComedyRevised Version Characters: 1 male, 4 female 1 set Every drama group has experienced the horrors of what can go wrong on the night and the ladies of the F.A.H.E.T.G. Dramatic Society are no different, with the possible exception that almost everything that could happen does. The scenery collapses, cues are missed, lines forgotten, and the sound effects take on a strange note at times, as the ladies present their ambitious evening's entertainment with the cunning whodunit, "Murder At Checkmate Manor". And just in case the audience should get bored there's a Film and Fashion Show and Murder Mystery Quiz complete with Prize. The crunch comes in the denouement when the "murderer", about to be revealed, has to rush home to bandage up an injured daughter. But Mrs. Reece, doyenne of the group, rises above the slings and arrows of outrageous dramatics to save the situation and provide the final inventive twist.

The Amazon Theatre Group are to perform a little-known, passionate, Spanish drama in a festival. Amid multiple tensions and general chaos backstage, Lesley, the missing member, staggers in paralytically drunk and dressed in motorcycle gear. The adjudicator is impressed with the cast's seething passion and pronounces Lesley's motorcycle regalia a stroke of genius!6 women

Edward, the penniless heir of his kind-hearted father, is a virtuous man. One day the villain'squire Cribbs lures Edward to drink in an inn, and the effect is instantaneous; he becomes a drunkard and his poverty increases. It is his foster brother William who fin's out what Cribb is up to, discovers Edward in the'slums of London and fin's the true will hidden by the villain.|8 women, 7 men

Two longtime companions, hair-stylists on their off day give each other trims, manicures, and what only they can give one another, the love of outcasts. A hit in London and New York and later a film co-starring Richard Burton and Rex Harrison. "Blunt honesty...Succeeds in being compassionate without losing humor or dignity." The New York Post2 men

A musical play in which the garden insects, tired of being sprayed but unable to agree on the best method to stop it, begin warring among themselves while the garden goes to ruin. No music included.

When Miss Pickhart visits the illusionist Ratchet on official Town Hall business, she discovers a sinister secret. Alone in the cellar after Ratchet is called away, she confronts the ghost of Rosalinda who met an untimely death during the saw the woman in half trick. |2 women, 1 man

Adaptation of: The horse and his boy / C.S. Lewis.

This hilarious and irreverent whirlwind of lies, religious hypocrisy and family feuds features one of theatre's most perfect comedy creations.

This is a comic, ironic look at patronizing bureaucracy. The social services department of the local council is preparing a register of the elderly and eager June Potter is despatched. Mam and Dad are in their 60s, but they are perfectly able-bodied and have no intention of being registered.

The central characters are Bob and Jeff. The cosy domesticity of these lovers is threatened by Jeff''s crisis. Jeff is considering leaving Bob.... but for a woman, so that he can become a father. Meanwhile, Bob contends with meddling family members who are ignorant of his living situation. His mother, a domineering comic creation, complicates matters by pressing Bob to get married. She refuses to recognize that there is anything about her son which might upset her conventional sensibilities. Can Bob''s family - Lois and Bill, Nona and Arthur and matriarch, Vera - help to rescue the situation? And will Bob be able to tell the seemingly ignorant Vera that the ''straight and narrow'' is not the life for her favourite little boy...?|3 women, 4 men

This captivating thriller employs a play within a play theme in a singularly exciting manner. At first, it seems to be the usual "Agatha Christie" type play two couples lured to a remote Italian villa to be murdered one by one. It is only when this play is well advanced that we learn we are watching actors rehearsing their own murder mystery. It is shortly after this, when two of these actors have been murdered in the same manner as the characters in their own play, that the twists and turns begin to tease the audience.|3 women, 3 men

Mike's pleasantly anticipated stay with his girlfriend is shattered by the arrival of his brother, whose wife has thrown him out.

The famous story of the Princess with hair as black as ebony, skin as white as snow and lips as red as blood, whose stepmother sends her into the forest to die is excitingly and charmingly brought to life in this dramatization. In this version the stepmother is rewarded, with an enormous nose, for her sins, while Snow White wins her Prince. The music is included in the copy.-11 women, 13 men

The Crowns, the King and the Long Lost Smile is a play ior seven men,three women and extras. The play tells the story of how the Crown Troupe -Thomas, Ben, Will and Sally-a strolling band of entertainers, help the Princess Dulcinea find her father the King, who has been kidnapped by the wicked Baron Drax, and thus regain her long lost smile. The easily staged settings encourage plenty of audience participation.|Flexible cast

Ordered by the Emperor to find the gold "in the skies" and aided by his equally lazy son, they have just four days in which to recover it. They succeed but only after an accidental discovery of the thieves, a trip on the high seas with pirates and a fortunate case of mistaken identity.|Large flexible cast

Four servants sit solemnly in the kitchen of a large Victorian house. Their Mistress has died suddenly and the cook, discovering that the housekeeper and personal maid have stolen some of her jewellery, demands a share. Reluctantly they agree. Then the bell rings in the Mistress's room...everyone is in the kitchen, so who calls?6 women