Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, Side Show is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit, and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.With a completely reworked plot and n

Note: Wonderland Wives is intended for mature audiences with very immature tastes. Cinderella's Prince Charming is serving ten years in the pen, Belle's house is overrun with little monsters, Alice has been hitting the caterpillar's pipe a little too hard lately, and Snow White's husband has shacked up with the three little pigs. Now she's keeping up appearances as the fairest in the land with the help of a little girdle and a lot of ha

The story of a bird handler who throws down her gauntlet; a soaring tale of avian antics, wit and daring.

The true and extraordinary story of the satirical  newspaper created in the mud and mayhem of the  Somme, interspersed with comic sketches and spoofs from the vivid imagination of those on the front line. In a bombed out building during the First World War in the French town of Ypres (mispronounced Wipers by British soldiers), two officers discover a printing press and create a newspaper for the troops. Far from being a sombre journal about life in the trenches, they produced a resolutely cheerful, subversive and very funny newspaper designed to lift the spirits of the men on the front line.

After enduring centuries of bone-free cupboards, Old Mother Hubbard has decided that she and her dog deserve a break so she arranges for her daughter Polly to marry the very rich, though very unpleasant, Duke Ferdinand. Polly, however, is in love with Dick, the poor woodchopper's son, and they run away to seek their fortune.

Seven women gather in a haunted house to await the arrival of a ghost expert. Last to appear is the nervous Wendy, who has just left her partner Malcolm after a misunderstanding. Spooky things begin to happen and, making spurious excuses, all but Wendy leave the house. Alone, Wendy finds new strength and resolve and, when a mysterious figure appears in the doorway, she confronts it...|7 women, 1 man

Two young women arrive in a nameless British small-town. Their names are not their own. They don''t declare their ages. Their relationship with each other is not clear. Are they sisters, as their assumed identities declare? Or are they mother and daughter?|Large flexible cast

Princess Caraboo tells the extraordinary true story of a beautiful young woman who tricked her way from vagrancy to wealth and power in Regency England by pretending to be a shipwrecked Princess. Maintaining the deception becomes imperative as the stakes get higher and higher, and what begins as a desperate ploy by a petty criminal to evade the law escalates into a national scandal threatening to ruin anyone whose compassion, lust or ambition has blinded them to the truth. As Princess Caraboo becomes the superstar of her day she discovers the price to be paid for living a lie and the cost of drawing the man she loves into her deceit. All of us, at one time or another, has told a lie; to make life run smoother, to land the perfect job, to win and keep the ones we love. This entertaining, glamorous and empowering story invites us all to consider the impact of life's embellishments in defining who we really are and who we would like to be.

A flood in the fen country has trapped two prison officials and their prisoner, Sarat Carn, who is on her way to the gallows for the murder of her brother. But Sister Mary Bonaventure is convinced of her innocence and just before the police launch arrives, a confession is forced from the real murderer.8 women, 3 men

On a dilapidated British farm in 1963, Morley is coping with puberty, the tangles of love within his family, and the desertion of his mother. He is attracted to Andy, one of the Scottish hitchhikers who have sought shelter at the farm. All is not, however, as it seems in this powerful play by the author of Flesh and Blood and The Dearly Beloved. Morley's habit of telling tales about his elders hastens a crisis.|5 men

Frank is an aspiring spy novelist and Head of Installation at Forshaws, a commercial lettering factory. Alan is his reluctant teenage trainee, more interested in listening to music and designing album artwork for his band Lizard than Frank's beloved bracketing systems.

Victor Lucas's celebrated "mysterious comedy", originally published in 1957.6 women, 3 men

The first act tells of Alice's adventures in Wonderland, of the people she meets there, including the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter and March Hare, and of her escape into the Looking Glass land of the second act, where she finds the rest of Lewis Carroll's well-loved people.13 women, 13 men

A story of elopement in eighteenth century London, Lock Up Your Daughters! was a London hit that has enjoyed a successful revival. Co-written by the award-winning lyricist of the classic OLIVER!4 women, 15 men

Chester Dreadnought has bought a lovely country cottage, dreaming of idyllic peace, but is he able to enjoy it? Not with Abel Bounty, the local unhandyman, always around, and not with Carol, an attractive girl who seems to have mysteriously moved in. Those who have met Chester already in Wild Goose Chase and Post Horn Gallop know his aptitude for social and anti-social blunders, and Lord and Lady Elrood and scatty Miss Partridge also make a reappearance.5 women, 4 men

Gene Lacy, a former lobster boat fisherman and proprietor of Lacy's General Store, is down on his luck big time: he's ducking creditors, huge gambling debts, and an ex-wife with very expensive tastes. So when Spider walks into his store with a golden lottery ticket in the shape of a rare and valuable dead bird, Gene has a choice to make. He has the connections to help Spider turn his windfall into greenbacks, but there's one tiny problem, as Gene's right-hand man - an ex-boxer named Lullaby - is well aware: it's a felony offence to even be in possession of the bird. As the metaphorical noose tightens, and the threat of a lengthy stretch behind bars hangs over them, so the friendships unravel with a potentially deadly and deadly funny outcome: if there's honour amongst thieves, somebody forgot to tell these guys.

If it were not for the thoughtfulness of the author who has kindly translated the dialogue of two of the characters into English, the audience would be as confused as the actors, who play a Finn, an Italian and an Englishman - none of whom speak a word of the other's languages.1 women, 2 men

Stratton and Cole are waiting to meet Jack so they can seal the deal that will make or break their careers. But Jack isn't coming to the meeting, he's been dragged out of the building by security following an 'incident' with a female colleague. Now they have to negotiate with his deputy - a woman. The men can't quite believe their luck. But far from being a soft touch, Jack's stand-in proves a much tougher nut to crack.

Pink Mist is a verse-drama about three young friends from Bristol who join the army and are deployed to the post 9/11 conflict in Afghanistan. Within a short space of time all three return to the women in their lives - a wife, a mother, a girlfriend - all of whom must now share the psychological and physical aftershocks of their service. Drawing upon interviews with soldiers and their families, Pink Mist illuminates the timeless human cost of war and its all too often devastating effect upon the young lives pulled into its orbit.

Set in the romantic atmosphere of a sun-drenched hotel on the Italian Riviera, the peace of the holiday makers is shattered by the arrival of a determinedly outspoken widow, Agatha Hepworth and her timid spinster sister, Fiona Francis. Agatha crushes all protests as she rounds up the hotel guests in communal games and other healthy pursuits. Her unflagging spirit of togetherness invades the private lives of all the characters with riotous results.5 women, 4 men

"Inspired by the Christmas story by Charles Dickens."

Set in 1904, August Wilson''s Gem of the Ocean begins on the eve of Aunt Esther''s 287th birthday. When Citizen Barlow comes to her Pittsburgh''s Hill District home seeking asylum, she sets him off on a spiritual journey to find a city in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson''s ten-play cycle that has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations. The Broadway run starred Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad as Aunt Esthe

Finalist! 2000 Pulitzer Prize in DramaPeddling stolen refrigerators in the feeble hope of making enough money to open a video store, King Hedley, a man whose self worth is built on self delusion, is scraping in the dirt of an urban backyard trying to plant seeds where nothing will grow. Getting, spending, killing and dying in a world where getting is hard and killing is commonplace are threads woven into this 1980''s installment in the author''s renowned cycle of plays about the black ex

This exciting first play by the author of August: Osage County premiered at Chicago''s Steppenwolf before going on to acclaimed productions in London and New York. Hired by the dissolute Smith family to murder the matriarch for insurance money, Killer Joe takes the daughter to bed as a retainer against his final payoff which sets in motion a bloody aftermath as the "hit man" meets his match.

When Alicia finds out that her boyfriend of nine years has been cheating on her, she is devastated beyond belief. Luckily her friends are ready to help her - by any means necessary. They urge Alicia to experiment with brujería, hoodoo, and santería magic; not only to heal her broken heart, but to help get her man back. Reminiscent of Sex and the City, Tanya Saracho's comedy explores the truly magic side of love.

Set in modern day Northern Mexico, the Galvan family, led by Matriarch Maite, have come back to their pecan orchard to reclaim their land after she has squandered away their money. In the time they were away, however, the Mexico they once knew has slowly been taken over by a drug war. Focusing on the relationships between sisters, and a mother and her daughters, will these women choose to adapt to the world around them or get left behind?

Allison does not accept gifts. Not even on her birthday. Not even from her fiancé. So when she finds herself without her wallet and unable to pay the tab for an expensive lunch with a friend, it is with great reluctance that she accepts the generosity of a total stranger. Determined to repay his kindness, Allison comes face-to-face with the dark secrets that drive her inability to accept even the simplest act of benevolence.

In this moving exploration of parenthood, an American mother and a Tibetan father have a three-year-old son believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. When a Tibetan lama and a monk come to their home unexpectedly, asking to take their child away for a life of spiritual training in India, the parents must make a life-altering choice that will test their strength, their marriage, and their hearts.The Oldest Boy is a richly emotional journey filled with music, dance, p

Through the sights and sounds of the early 20th century boxing circuit, The Royale examines society's relationship with our present-day cultural heroes and the responsibilities that are thrust upon them when they find themselves outside of the ropes. Loosely based on real events, The Royale brings to explosive life the ultimate fight for a place in history.