Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Leon Winter always spices up his dinner parties with a practical joke or two, so when the electricity cuts out and a mysterious voice booms from the darkness the guests on this particular night do not think the worst. Then shots ring out and the joke turns into a nightmare.

Jeremy and Celia return a week early from their unsuccessful honeymoon to find that both Jeremy's partners have accepted his offer to stay in his house while he is away. The only problem is that they have each brought the other's wife with them. Jeremy discovers one illicit couple, Celia the other. Both issue invitations to them for dinner. Complications pile up thick and fast as, realizing their dilemma and desperate to make a good impression on Jeremy's colleagues, the couple stages two dinner parties simultaneously, one on the patio and one in the dining room.|3 women, 4 men or 4 women, 3 men

This powerful drama is based on the true story of Hannah Snell who in 1750, disguised as a boy, went to sea in search of her errant husband. For seven years she lived as a man boldly braving wounds, bloody battles and her own troubling visions. After returning home penniless, she was part of a successful stage act until visions of an apocalyptic future forced her to proclaim the horrors of war. Hannah was locked in Bedlam. Rescued, she sailed away to speak out for life and a continuing world.3 women, 5 men

Comedy Thriller Norman Robbins Characters: 4 males, 6 females Scenery: Interior Months have passed since the ghastly events in Monument House occurred that are related in A Tomb with a View. Mortimer Crayle, the crusty lawyer, and his secretary have gathered the remaining members of the Tomb family at the house, ostensibly to inform this off beat bunch about their inheritance. In reality, Crayle has designs on the estate that necessitate eliminating all Tombs. Fog descends on the gloomy mansion. In the cobwebby corridors things and people are seldom what they seem. Poison is in every decanter and there are mysterious disappearances. Hosts and guests join the rising pile of bodies in the cellar. Previous acquaintance with the Tombs is not required to enjoy this glorious spoof.

This charming autobiographical play from London's West End creates scenes from the life of aspiring writer Brenda Barnes. From age nine into her forties, she is seen through the eyes of her eccentric and sometimes fiery family, particularly her willfully self descriptive father and her put upon and sometimes hot tempered mum. Hilarious scrapes erupt when Brenda's imagination and intelligence bump against the restrictions of Irish and English customs and society. The play is a captivating and not uncritical look at family life that features some wonderful roles.|5 women, 3 men

When Katie arrives in the field of Corcamore to paint a watercolor of the legendary stone of Clough E. Regan, she is accompanied by youthful versions of her mother and grandmother. Katie exists in the present while the others are in their own time. Their conversations companionable and hostile by turns reveal family history and its intricate relation to the wider story of Irish culture.3 women

Bernard and Marion haven't seen each other in over twenty years when they meet by accident and get together to talk over old times and catch up on what has happened since they parted. And so begins a journey of memories: their first meeting, their love for each other, their marriages and children. All is underscored by a nagging question: why have they remained strangers for so long? Two actors portray Bernard and Marion at fifty and as younger people, as well as others from the past.1 woman, 1 man

This play presents a study of marriage and friendship as well as the English away from home. Tom, despite his misgivings at leaving his wife, joins his friend Andy on a golfing holiday in Spain. The farce, however, doesn't begin until they get home to their wives.

Terry, an ex-petty-criminal, runs a small charity organization which campaigns for freedom of information. When he is handed a not-to-be-missed case it becomes apparent that everybody in the office has something to hide in this comical drama.

Michael harbors an ambition to direct Macbeth and gets his chance with the autumn production of The Shellsfoot Thespians. He encounters problems from finding enough men to telling grande dame Geraldine she is not to play Lady Macbeth, despite her offered bribe which would pay production costs. He casts his wife in the part opposite Frank, with whom she is having an affair (unbeknownst to Michael). It soon appears that the jinx surrounding the play extends to amateur productions and to Michael's life, but he remains determined to get the show on at any cost that includes his job, his wife and finding a new venue when banned from the church hall.|7 women, 6 men

A zany, fast-moving comedy of confusion. When Tom, an Elvis fanatic, and Alice his fiancee are unable, due to fog, to fly to Miami for an Elvis Convention, they arrive back at Tom's flat to find they have inadvertently picked up the wrong suitcase at the airport and are now in possession of half a million dollars. Confusions arise when Auntie arrives with a bag containing $20,000 as does Frankie, a thug working for the owner of the suitcase dollars, and it takes Inspector Hendy to sort everything out.-3 women, 4 men

Based on the author's experiences, Fighting Chance is set in a rehabilitation center for neurological patients. It charts the progress of five patients over eight weeks. These five demonstrate humor, frustration, anger and pity and they help each other throughout this funny, touching and ultimately optimistic play.|4 women, 5 men

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

This fast paced, fun filled farce by two masters of the genre enjoyed a successful run at London's Strand Theatre, starring David Jason as the hapless Fisher.4 women, 2 men

An adaptation and translation of Nestroy's farce concerning the expectations of class and the folly of deception.

When Tom Kerwood and his wife Linda nervously await Mrs Potter from the adoption agency, who's to assess them at home, it's not surprising that events get out of hand. Dick has returned from a French smuggling trip with brandy and cigarettes - and two Kosovan refugees. Meanwhile, hospital porter Harry has embarked on an ambitious plan.

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

George 'Geordie' Carson is a former cabaret singer and Frank Sinatra impersonator at the delapidated Sands Hotel in Whitley Bay. Now in his 70s, he is suffering from dementia with Lewy bodies, a condition marked by hallucinations...

The King of Murania is dead! Long live the King! But the heir is Nikki, twenty years in exile, and living with actress Marta Karillos, disliked and distrusted by the people. To ensure a suitable succession, Elena, the Queen Mother, acidly witty and a schemer of genius, persuades Nikki to accept the crown, marry Cristiane - the snow princess from Norseland - and beget an heir as soon as is decently possible. Nikki agrees, provided his beloved Marta can be installed, in considerable grandeur, not too far from the royal abode.|Large flexible cast

Written for London's Theatre Royal, Stratford East, this pantomime combines all the traditional elements with original characterizations, imaginative and innovative staging ideas and witty, melodic songs.Large flexible cast

A thrilling play concerning itself with Columbus's early days - the perils and excitement of a great discovery and a sense of what might go wrong if the discovery is not handled with care and imagination. The times, dates and places Columbus visited are historical facts and his comments on them come from his reports on the voyage.|Large flexible cast

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

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

The play tells the story, in the form of a rock musical, of the great hero of Viking times, Beowulf. The first half concentrates on his battle with the loathsome monster, Grendel, and his marriage to Hygd, daughter of the Danish King Hrothgar.4 women, 9 men

Unfortunately, murder, robbery and blackmail all start to recoil on her own head. The end of the story is one of disaster.4 women, 2 men

In the story of Follow That Girl we meet Victoria Gilchrist whose Victorian father and mother have condemned her to wed one of two wealthy shopkeeper suitors, Tancred and Wilberforce. Rather than agree to her parents wishes Victoria runs away.|8 women, 10 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

Written for London's Theatre Royal, Stratford East, this pantomime combines all the traditional elements with original characterizations, imaginative and innovative staging ideas and witty, melodic songs.|Large flexible cast

Hijack Over Hygenia is set in an aeroplane interior, on a roof, in a throne room and in a bedroom. Hygenia is the cleanest kingdom in the world. Disease is unknown. But one day a villainous Measle enters illegally and starts bringing the inhabitants out in spots. It is all the plot of Dr. Spicknspan who, owing to the pervading healthiness, is always out of work. Things look serious, but the plot is foiled by the gallantry of the royal staff: peace, health and cleanliness are restored.|4 women, 8 men