Books in the Acting Edition S. series

Set in Russia shortly after the Revolution, Stephen Poliakoff's intriguing and moving play has an autobiographical background in that it is inspired by what happened to his own family in Russia. Produced first by the RSC at the Pit and later transferring to the Mermaid the play follows the material and spiritual adjustments the upper middle class Pesiakoff family has to make to their life when they are forced to live in a railway carriage for many years. Although ostensibly employed as Telephone Examiner, father spends his time and government money on trying to record sound on to film. With the death of Lenin, however, the research must be abandoned and the family is forced to flee.

Jay Spencer wants to leave his past behind him and start a new life. When he moves into his new flat his only wish is solitude, but the girl next door plagues him with her suicide threats, his current wife causes problems, his ex-wife insists on leading him to Jesus, and his secretary declares her undying passion. Jay's women pursue, attack, seduce and harass him and he only wants to be left alone or does he? Finally when he achieves his aim and has only himself for company, the thought is too much and he telephones the last female left his mother! This very funny and witty play has fast and well-timed comic action.| 4 women, 1 man

Caught in the Act concerns the affairs of Cherry Winters, who runs a chain of sex shops. Late one night she is expecting the return of her lover, Bill. However, it is not Bill who creeps into her dark flat, but Martin, who has mistaken it for the one opposite, which is inhabited by his own fiancee, Helen. Unfortunately not only does he mistake the flat, but also the bed. Cherry thinks it is Bill and welcomes him with open arms. Worse still, they are later surprised by Bill himself. From this auspicious beginnng flows a flood of complications, not lessened by Cherry's need to cultivate an amorous Arab sheikh for business purposes.2 women, 4 men

The river upon which this play is based in the Parret. The river rises in Dorset and flows into Bridgwater Bay on the Somerset coast. It is 36 miles long and is tidal for a good deal of its length. For generations fishermen have trapped and netted salmon in the dangerous tidal waters that surge and flood across the Somerset flats. But advancing civilisation has polluted the river, the fish are dying and t here are now only three licensed fishermen left.1 woman, 2 men

What do a Koala bear, a devious chef, and an emerald necklace have in common? Carl Houston, Sussex hotelier, nearly loses his life finding out in this thriller of international intrigue which bears all the Durbridge hallmarks of suspense, mystery and murder.-3 women, 5 men

Returning home unexpectedly early from a rendezvous with her lover, Sophie Fontaineau finds that her husband Etienne is absent and immediately suspects him of philandering. She accidentally spills brandy on her porter''s trousers; the poor man soon finds himself trouserless behind a screen, desperately worried by the return of Etienne, who is disguised as The Hunchback of Notre Dame.|3 women, 2 men

Four expectant mothers and one father find themselves in a small hospital room awaiting the midwife who is to give them their first Parentcraft class. Differences in experiences, outlook and class lead to some interesting and at times hilarious exchanges, as each of the five have to face, and come to terms with, the prejudices and foibles of their companions. An amazing revelation shocks them all - one of their number is not, in fact, going to be a parent at all!4 women, 1 man

Unmarried sisters, in their 50s share a flat: Nina is brisk and gainfully employed; Nancy is plump, self-concious and redundant. However, when she becomes a model for a life-drawing class, Nancy glimpses a possible future. while Nina faces her unhappy past.

Henry Fielding's novel (which started out as a skit on Richardson's Pamela), recounting the adventures and misadventures of the handsome footman and the simple, loveable parson, is dramatized for a simple-to-stage production, requiring a minimum of props and settings. Robbers, grasping innkeepers, love, jealousy, female rivalry, personal misunderstandings, surprise revelations of unexpected relationships - all find their places in the exuberant story.11 women, 7 men

An exhuberant comedy which is yet a sad commentary on twentieth-century bureaucracy. The Hesseltines are living in property well overdue for demolition and they are looking forward to being re-housed in more beautiful and salutory surroundings. The crisis comes when they find that, far from a house with a little bit of garden, they are to live in a warrenous block of flats.|3 women, 6 men

Filumena has lived with Domenico for twenty five years, but is to be thrown over for a younger woman. So she pretends to be dying and inveigles him into a "deathbed marriage." When he proves the marriage to be null and void, she informs him she has three grown sons which she has supported by stealing from him and that one of them is his (she won't say which).5 women, 8 men

The beauty of Exmoor dominates this blend of romance and adventure that is R.D. Blackmore's novel "Lorna Doone". Spanning 13 years, all the characters are here from the ruthless Doones to the peace-loving Ridds with the love of John Ridd for Lorna Doone at the heart of the play.

The Royal family has been moved to a housing estate in Leicester and have to live as ordinary people. This play is a satire on the failings of the welfare state, the pretensions, expectations and personal foibles of the Royal Family as they attempt to come to terms with their new situation.

The light-hearted and entertaining play concerns four elderly actresses passing their days in a Home for Retired Artistes. They bicker and banter, showing the different parts of thier profession. Only Dame Anthea's dresser, Gladys, keeps an observant distance, injecting pithy comments into the actresses' small talk. Needing a man for their projected Christmas play, they enlist the help of newcomer Arthur Pendragon. But it is the dapper Antony Redfern who devises an entertainment ideally suited to their personalities, whilst the redoubtable Gladys in installed as costume mistress, as usual!|5 women, 2 men

A pantomime script based around the "Sleeping Beauty" story. Princess Aurora suffers a curse from the evil Carabosse, and falls asleep for hundred years. With a kiss from Florizel, and a little help from the audience in solving a riddle, Carabosse is defeated and all ends happily.

This gentle play, told with warmth and tenderness focuses on Lily who has spent all her married life in the same two-up, two-down council house. Although widowed, her husband Joe is very real to her and Lily's life continues as though he were still alive. Lily's peace is shattered by a letter notifying her that her house is to be demolished and she rehoused. Lily flatly refuses to go, despite warning letters and entreaties from social worker Ann. If Lily goes her memories of Joe and their life together will be smothered in the rubble. Eventually, though, she bows to authority and the "big cats", but at least she has the chance – this time – of saying goodbye properly to Joe.| 2 women, 1 man 

These short plays weave together the pyschologically complex themes of jealousy, deceit and manipulation and throw together the most unlikey of couples: Bruce in Rialto, is an attractive ex-actor employed by elderly dying ladies to help make the most of their last days. In Mortmain, Diana, finds her dead husband's diary and all her previous assumptions about her marriage are threatened. Is Arabella Snelgrove in Dead End the perfect, upright and law-abiding citizen? A visit from an inpsector from the Department of Social Security throws suspicions on Arabella's honesty. All are tense, tantalizing, pyschological thrillers with the most unexpected twists.| 3 women, 3 men

This joyous musical encounters five very different couples and a single woman embarking on an exciting journey - the women are pregnant. To some this is a welcome suprise, to some a carefully planned event, to others a cause for worry and confusion.

Claire has separated from her husband Steve and is now living with her boyfriend Derek. Her daughter Libby tells Steve that Claire is short of money and is advertising for a lodger, so, while Claire is absent, Steve is given the room by the unspuspecting Derek. Steve's idea is to stay in the house for a month so that Claire can judge both men on their merits; old animosities quickly reat their head, however, and the play ends with Claire and Libby leaving the house, which Steve and Derek decide to share as bachelors. Witty, fast-moving and acutely observed, The Upstairs Cuckoo is a riotous farce with a very human heart. | 2 women, 2 men

A comedy play by the British writer first staged in 1953. A successful hit, it ran in the West End for 370 performances. A stockbrocker tries to cope with the extravagant behaviour of his daughters.| 6 women, 6 men

This ingeniously constructed play is set in three separate flats over a bank holiday weekend. Shifting backwards and forwards in time it depicts a triangle of relationships: Michael, a homosexual, who is in love with his flatmate Andrew, who in turn is having an affair with Lesley, whose husband Tom seeks respite from their disintegrating marriage in the arms of Alison.

A farcical comedy set in 1910. Lucien arrives home in the early hours dressed as Louis XIV. His late arrival and enraptured account of the ball invites the wrath of Yvonne, his wife and it isn't long before the maid, suffering with flu, and the bumbling, elderly manservant are dragged into the argument.

Five women are at the marriage bureau "Husbands Supplied" all looking for a husband. A dashing young man comes in and immediately the five women, the bureau's owner and her secretary make a play for him. But it turns out that he is already married to one of the seven women.| 7 women, 1 man

Daughter of the Left Hand centres around the household of Rex Hallam. Rex introduces Nicola, a young girl who, he states, is his daughter by a former mistress. Her arrival causes considerable consternation, and her reception, particularly by Rex's severe and spinsterish elder daughter, is anything but friendly. Shrewd, forthright and understandably resentful of her treatment, Nicola either indirectly by her mere presence, or later directly by her own actions brings disaster to the entire family, and her final surprise to the entire family does nothing to amend matters. - 7 women, 3 men

At the centre of his own universe sits matinee idol Garry Essendine: suave, hedonistic and too old, says his wife, to be having numerous affairs. His line in harmless, infatuated debutantes is largely tolerated, but playing closer to home is not.

George Radfern lives a quiet, uneventful life near London, burdened by sponging relatives and his prospective son-in-law. When George quietly announces he's a leader of a counterfeit ring, the sponges find reasons to leave. His immediate family reacts according to character until it looks as if George has been spoofing them. The ending is one of the most surprising ones ever used in a mystery play. A long time favorite among amateurs.-3 women, 6 men

Play produced by the Royal Shakespeare Co. in 1985 based on the Laclos novel.