Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Stanley and Brenda Parker are driving about France on their vacation. When they find themselves in a village near the German border on the eve of a local festival, they consider themselves lucky on finding a hotel room. But this kind of luck, no one would want to endure for long.|3 women, 4 men

The elegantly absurd plot centres on Jack Worthing, who is "Ernest" in town. He wins Gwendolen's hand, but she declares that she chiefly loves him for his name Ernest - the name Jack has allotted to his non-existent brother whose peccadilloes explain his frequent absences from his country home where lives his pretty ward Cecily. Another formidable impediment to Jack's happiness is Lady Bracknell, who shudders at Jack's having been found in a handbag at Victoria Station. Meanwhile, Cecily has decided to marry "Ernest". When Algernon presents himself in this guise, she immediately accepts his proposal. But she too will only marry an "Ernest".-4 women, 5 men

The pantomime follows the outline of the well known story, and includes a trip to Egypt, adventures with a sinister Mummy and a Ghost, a haughty Fairy and a hint of Ali Baba as well as set pieces such as a magic show and a "slosh hurling' episode.Large flexible cast

In Denmark more than a 100 years ago, a soldier returns from the war. A witch sends him to an oak tree, where he finds treasure guarded by three dogs. When he loses his new wealth he remembers that the witch sent him to retrieve a tinder box with powers to conjure up the magical dogs.

The Salamander, a sort of dragon, is in trouble with the Fire Flies, because he is unable to create a fire by breathing on a pile of sticks. To redeem himself he is sent on a mission to burn down Papertown. The paper inhabitants, including the Papertown Crier (a newspaper), the Postman (an envelope), Professor Paperback (a book who runs the bookshop), Mr. Quid (a pound note who is the Bank Manager) and Lady Carrier Bag - gather their resources to meet the threat. Spike the Pen (the litter collector), Fireman Silver, and even the cheeky Litterbug become involved, and the two petty criminals, Blotch and Carbon, are released to join the forces.Flexible cast

In this moving play by the science editor of Pravda, victims of the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station embark on a non-return journey in a terminal radiation clinic. The arrival of nine survivors from the disaster starts a string of confessions and recriminations which ends in a powerful condemnation of the bureaucratic muddle and official cover-up.6 women, 12 men

The suburban house of the Bakers' adjoins a recreation field, which is useful since football and cricket play a large part in the story. Peter, who works for Graham, brings his fiancee to the house and Graham, as usual, makes a bee-line for her. However, it is Mrs. Baker's brother, Leonard, to whom Joan strays. Leonard, poetic, a fumbler, who moons around holding conversations with the garden gnome, has always roused the bullying Graham's malice and scorn, who is horrified when he catches the younger man very much with Joan.-2 women, 3 men

Traveller Without Luggage is an intense and bittersweet drama of family, identity and redemption, written in 1936 by Jean Anouilh, and translated by John Whiting. A man is found in 1918 on a railway siding, having come off a train loaded with returning prisoners of war. He has amnesia, and nothing is known about him.-5 women, 7 men

Caroline marries an unemployed actor, Kevin, whom she supports while he flirts with women and spoils her flat with his oafish behaviour. Eventually he seduces one of her pupils and Caroline throws him out. Miserably isolated, she goes to dinner with Jilly and Ivor and meets Matthew who appears eminently suitable. But their ensuing affair is doomed by Matthew's persistent, precision fault-finding and Caroline realizes she can cope better with the slovenly, but kind-hearted, Kevin sprawling on her sofa. The plot is evolved in clever time-splitting sequences between the present and three years past.3 women, 4 men, 8 women or men

Performed with music from operas of Gilbert and Sullivan.

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

We all like to be beside the seaside and as everybody knows, an Englishman's home is his sand castle. Stan and Bernice Billet and William and Margaret Patterson have been taking their holidays in the same resort for years. They don't exactly rule the waves but they have turned the area around their beach huts into a cozy little fiefdom. And then along comes Doug, with his nubile nieces. They don't give a hoot for beach hut protocol - they just want to have fun in the sun.10 women, 4 men

This dramatization of the biblical story of Noah offers children a chance to practise their early acting skills. They should learn how to focus their acting by being able to relax, stand still, mime movements while standing on the spot, and work together as a chorus.

The Sweethearts are a manufactured girl band, rarely off the front page of the tabloids. In need of some positive publicity, they travel to Afghanistan to do a special gig for the troops at Camp Bastion before the base is handed over to Afghan offi cials. A group of battle weary soldiers, chosen to protect these three beautiful celebrities, eagerly await their arrival. But when there's an attack on the base, The Sweethearts and the soldiers are thrown together and forced to wait it out in very close quarters...-4 women, 4 men

A husband's affair with a teenage mistress provokes his wife to arrange secret liaisons for a randy neighbour...2 women, 2 men

A married, middle-aged woman is shocked to discover that her husband, who she thought was content in their marriage, has become infatuated with a beautiful younger woman and is planning to leave his family for her.5 women, 4 men

A year ago successful novelist Paula Barlow was badly injured in an apparent accident which totally destroyed her memory. On returning home, instead of finding security in what should be familiar surroundings, she faces tension, lies and deceit until the past returns to confront her in a truly dramatic climax.3 women, 3 men

Doctor Waring is concerned about his daughter, Shelia. She is working for a wealthy stamp dealer and has fallen in love with him. The doctor has made enquiries about the dealer, Michael Rentour and now knows that he is a very dubious person. His daughter will not listen to him so Doctor Waring goes to see Rentour to ask him to sever his connections with his daughter. He refuses and the doctor shoots him. When the police investigate their suspicions fall on Shelia - he had not been truthful about her alibi. The doctor confesses to the police that he had committed the crime - but they do not believe him.5 women, 3 men

A shorter, reworked version of "The House of Frankenstein". The Baron tries to counsel and cure a motley crew of monsters he has invited to his castle, immediately regretting his action. When the Baroness hits the bottle, his guests reveal their true colours.

Class 6C are given a hypothetical sum of ¿100 to invest on the Stock Exchange by the patronizing local bank manager. However Class 6C play it for real and nobody can believe their luck when they manage to make a profit of several thousand pounds - and that's only the beginning of their problems!9 women, 3 men

Following their adventures in Utter Garbage, Dumpster, an idealistic young rat, and his sensible Uncle Binlid live happily in a clean city park, until the reappearance of Lord Vermin and his vile helpers. But Drumpster wants to look at the stars and soon the good rats are building a spaceship from rubbish. Propelled into space by the child-people in the audience, they meet Volga Ratskaya, a space laboratory rat. But they must battle with Lord Vermin before they can return safely.Large flexible cast

A play in one act for four women.|4 women

Centered around the royal family of Paflagonia eating breakfast together: King Valoroso, his wife, the Queen, and their daughter, Princess Angelica. Through the course of the meal, it is discovered that Prince Bulbo, heir to the neighbouring kingdom of Crim Tartary, and son of King Padella is due to visit Paflagonia. It is also discovered, after the two females have left the table, that King Valoroso stole his crown, and all his wealth, from his nephew, Prince Giglio, when the prince was an infant.

Two elderly gentlemen stroll on to an almost bare terrace. They discuss various subjects - the past, schooldays, climate, the sea, moustaches, the war, families, etc., etc. It is not until the following scene when we meet two women that we realize we are actually in the grounds of a mental hospital, and that these people are patients. Although with no plot at all in the conventional sense and sparse dialogue, by the end of the afternoon we have been moved to compassion and respect.2 women, 3 men

Edmund has escaped from his family into a lonely life. He returns home for his mother's funeral and finds himself involved in the same awful problems he left behind, together with some new ones. He also rediscovers the eternal family servant, the ever-changing "Italian girl".4 women, 3 men