Books published by Samuel French Ltd

This is Charles Dickens the social reformer linking cameo child scenes from Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, Bleak House and David Copperfield. One actor plays the adult Dickens and the main child part in each scene while the other 6 actors play a selection of roles, both adult and child, and act as narrators. Within the space of one act, Nick Warburton conveys the humour, pathos and poetry of Dickens.7 women or men

Following the adventures of its eponymous hero from birth through three decades, this acclaimed stage adaptation presents a plethora of brilliant characters from the original novel: the Peggottys; 'umble Heep; eccentric Aunt Betsey and Steerforth, young David's champion. Two actors play David Copperfield: one the young David, the other David's older self, each interacting throughout.10 women, 13 men

In vividly dramatic form, this play tells how a remote Chinese village comes to terms with Communism. Every revolution creates new words. The Chinese revolution created a whole new vocabulary in which a very important word is "fanshen" which literally means "to turn the body" or "to turn over." To hundreds of millions of landless and poor peasants it means to stand up, throw off the landlords' yoke, and gain land, stock, and houses. Moreover it means to enter a new world and this play is the story of how the peasants of Long Bow build a new world.2 women, 7 men

An adventure musical for children, in which the 11 principal roles are augmented with much chorus work. Jessie, Maggie and Teddy embark on an eventful journey into the mysterious world of silver-tongued Harry, the Sandman, to retrieve the magical sand.

This translation of von Kliest's "Der Zerbrochene Krug", is transformed by a Yorkshire dialect and set in Skipton in 1810. It concerns Judge Adam, the agent of justice, who is visited by the magistrate Walter Clegg, seeking signs of malpractice in a trial where family grievances are unearthed.

When the sinister Baron Bluebeard sees the lovely Flora Rockbottom he only has one thought - he wants to marry her. However, his intentions are far from honourable. It is up to her sweetheart Robin Reliant to rescue her, along with all Bluebeard's previous wives.

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

Escaping the Irish famine in 1850 five young women seek passage on a ship to Australia. For many of the 'orphan girls' on board, the voyage offers a fresh start. But some girls find they cannot escape the memory of the lives they've left behind - and that the closer they get to Australia the more powerful the past becomes.

This is a full length pantomime, entirely traditional with lots of humour and with its own original and delightful score by Eric Gilder which is available separately. The large number of both amateur and professional groups who present Crocker and Gilder pantomimes regularly every year is unmistakable proof of their success. Vocal score on sale.|Large flexible cast

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.

This introduction to theatre for small children uses the simple plot of a birthday party, complete with entertainer. The puppy and his animal friends teach and reflect children's early experience such as guests arriving, present-giving, game-playing and going home thank-yous.

Confusion ensues when Marcel Morisot arrives at the Signac home hoping for a glimpse of his beloved Marie-Celeste, a dancer. Set in 19th-century France, this is a raucous, swiftly-moving comedy of mistaken identities, shotguns and confusion, with an unexpectedly happy ending for all concerned.

Two one-act plays provide a double feature more hilarious than any presented in Hollywood's heyday: the first, a salute to the Golden Age of film musicals; the second, a rambunctious Marx Bros. farce. Winner of two Tony Awards in the hit Broadway production directed and choreographed by Tommy Tune.4 women, 3 men

A musical which provides roles for eight actors/singers, combining the work of Alan Ayckbourn with John Pattison's fully integrated score (published separately) that ranges from the operatic to pop.

Long, long ago humans ruled the world, but they made a terrible mess of it. Wars and pollution nearly destroyed all of them. Now the animals are in charge, and they have started a worldwide campaign to save humans from extinction.Large flexible cast

Eight years of macaroni and cheese for breakfast, lunch and supper...It's enough to drive a boy crazy - until a new, unexpected, and rather dangerous creature arrives on Callisto 5.|1 woman, 2 men

Presents in a two-act play the adventures of Meg, a rather unsuccessful witch, and her mute cat, Mog, who has to communicate with mime.

This biographical portrait of T. E. Lawrence (a.k.a. Lawrence of Arabia) begins in 1922, when Lawrence was hiding under an assumed name as "Aircraftman Ross" in the Royal Air Force, and is being disciplined by his Flight Lieutenant for alleged misconduct. When Lawrence's identity is compromised, his dreams take him back to the various figures in his life, as the play flashes back to the famed Arab Revolts, beginning during World War I, in mid-1916.21 men

Huckleberry Finn's adventurous journey along the Mississippi is captured in this adaptation of Mark Twain's classic novel. It thrives on the use of minimal set and prop devices to illustrate the many locations.

In a tatty provincial theatre "Fecund" is being staged. This comedy introduces us to those involved: from the stage manager (with a blinding hangover); to the leading actors (from the bitter to the plain incompetent) and others. The second act focuses on the audience, an equally mixed group.

Seven guests sit and chat, gradually discovering that each has been invited for a totally different reason. Peter analyses the reasons for their presence: each is guilty of one of the seven deadly sins. Salvation arrives for four of them as the coach comes to take everyone home.5 women, 2 men

Young Alfie Ruffcut, a known spoilsport and bully, has a chance to learn about the real meaning of Christmas.

The story of a camp in Europe and after the war, where the dispossessed still live in a stateless and hopeless condition.-1 woman, 3 men

In Usher, his great country house, aging horror star Romney Marsh gathers a group to read a new play. When the last guest arrives, Romney unleashes the guard dogs and, with a moat full of piranha, he has his visitors trapped. Someone has been sending him newspaper clippings about the suicide thirty years ago of Mabel Monk, an actress and Romney''s lover. He intends to find out who is responsible, but first one of his quests is found with her throat cut...|6 women, 4 men

Roland, formerly of the Kindly Mutual Insurance Co., runs a health farm with his wife Julia, bought with the proceeds of a hefty insurance payout on the demise of her first husband Sidney. But on the day Sidney decides to resurrect himself, the wife of Roland's ex-boss checks in for a visit!

It's 1958 - a time of rock and roll, and great hope for a bright future. But, trouble is brewing at the Whitney Ellis Private School For Girls. Only days away from the opening night of the end of term musical, "Rocket Girl", the leading lady is knocked unconscious with a sandbag. Now, it is up to our teenage sleuth, Brenda Bly to solve the crime.

This take on the traditional Victorian melodrama is aimed at young performers and is a lot sillier than most other versions. Queen Victoria is just one addition to the usual list of characters. Mrs Lovett's automated pie-making machine, a riot in the madhouse at Peckham and a police chase involving most of the cast are among the many opportunities for slapstick and physical theatre. The well-known storyline is still in there somewhere but this is more 'Carry On' than Sondheim.-Large flexible cast

Based upon Wycherley's The Country Wife, this rollicking Restoration revel throws off the shackles of Puritan austerity in a high spirited celebration of "the noblest urge bestowed on us". Ribaldry, romance and drama abound in the hilarious tale of Horner, a notorious London libertine. He charms and seduces his way into the hearts and boudoirs of society ladies, while practising elaborate deceptions so as to be trusted by the foolish husbands as a eunuch and chaperon to ladies of quality.-6 women, 8 men

"Based on characters created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle"--Cover.