Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.

Adapted from "La Main Passe!", this play is set in turn-of-the-century Paris where Madame Chanal is having an affiar with Masenay, who is also married. In true Feydeau style there is a frenzied domino effect of mistaken identities, lots of door banging, and drop-your-trousers scenes.

This award winning play concerns the disappearance of Sarah Casey, who goes missing after leaving a seedy bar in Hell's Kitchen. The last person to see her was Elston Rupp, who works in a thrift shop and dresses in his clients' clothes. Was she killed, or did she try to escape her existence?

This hilarious farce begins quietly enough with Howard and Penny asleep. A burglar climbs through the window and steals various items, including Howard''s suit. Awakening, Howard announces his intention to get back to the wife! But how can he in only vest and underpants? Before you can say "jockey shorts" he is being chased around the flat by his Danish au pair, the Home Secretary and a randy constable who doubles as a flasher. Add to this a punk with rainbow coloured hair, a gravelly voice Captain and a singing telegram Gorilla and you have the ingredients for a night of outrageous fun!|3 women, 6 men

Private View has the same irony and touch of comic absurdity as its two companion pieces in the Vanek trilogy. Invited by his ridiculous friends Michael and Vera, the mild-mannered writer, Vanek, endeavours to enthuse over their newly, pretentiously refurbished flat. But as the couple happily express the perfection of their marriage their tone gradually develops into a personal attack on Vanek.|1 woman, 2 men

The Count, newly arrived from Transylvania at Dr. Sewer's asylum, is hungry for more than Bridget's fruit cup or Constance's bloody Mary! Thwarted by a cross shaped birthmark and hounded by the Professor, the Count enlists obnoxious Rennet to help and nearly defeats the Professor and young Jonathan. But all have reckoned without Bridget's escargots.4 women, 5 men

When Babe is won by Farmer Hogget at the fair, an extraordinary friendship begins. With the help of his new mother, the old dog Fly, Babe fast learns the herding instinct. When the day of the Grand Challenge Sheep-dog Trials dawns, the whole farm waits to see if Babe will become a sheep-pig hero.

Frank and Jenny Gilman think they have found their dream house: a converted chapel in a quiet country village. The dream soon turns into a nightmare, however, as they are attacked by intruders who seem, for some reason, to be interested only in the contents of the deep freeze. Frank and Jenny investigate and the true horror of their situation soon emerges in this taut and exciting, yet often blackly hilarious, horror thriller.2 women, 2 men

The Prime Minister and Chancellor are preparing a puritanical budget taxing amusements such as bingo, gambling and night-clubs out of existence. On the afternoon before its presentation, however, each in turn appears to be the father of the pretty Shirley, the result of a post-party conference night many years ago. In an even less expected family bombshell, it transpires that the Prime Minister's deferential Parliamentary Private Secretary, Campbell, is, in fact, his son...5 women, 4 men

Gerald, an archaeological lecturer, rents a remote country cottage for the weekend, ostensibly to work on a local site, in reality hoping for a little middle-aged philandering with his attractive college librarian, Ruth. Gerald introduces her to the landlord of the cottage, Bill Flack, as his secretary. Their privacy is soon invaded, first by the former occupants, Dora and her lovesick daughter, then by other locals including a very pregnant young woman and a menacing bull, Hamish and finally by Gerald's wife, Alison, whose nursing experience comes in unexpectedly useful.|6 women, 4 men

Rita Affleck is a sensual, intelligent woman, stifled by circumstances. Her troubled ex-serviceman husband Alfred returns home after six weeks in the Scottish Highlands and vows to devote himself to their disabled son Olly. Rita decides that Olly has stolen Alfred from her, and claims her right to her husband's unconditional love.

"Several years after her acquittal, Lizzie Borden is living with her sister and invites players from a touring company to reenact the circumstances of the crime. This imaginative play in style and construction enjoyed an extended professional run in Britain.6 women, 2 men

The Clarion is Britain's worst newspaper. Morris Honeyspoon, its egomaniacal editor, spends his weekends dressed as Julius Caesar, and daily life at his beloved paper is a masterclass in incompetence and deceit. But the Clarion's attention-seeking headlines have real-world consequences. As political storm clouds gather over an uneasy country, it seems the paper's worst crimes are about to be exposed. While Morris hunts for a traitor in his midst, the once-great foreign correspondent Verity Stokes masterminds a murderous day of reckoning... Clarion is an urgent black comedy about free speech, nationalism and the state of the British media. Written by former journalist Mark Jagasia, who has worked for some of the UK's leading newspapers, it shines a dazzling light on the dark heart of our democracy.

Jo Smith arrives at her local theatre for an audition with the director Vyvian Jones, but it transpires that she has actually been invited there by Beverley, Vyvian's twin brother, who wants her to impersonate her own twin sister Fiona in order to scotch the rumour that Beverley has slept with Fiona. Jo reluctantly accepts this acting job.

Can Phileas Frog (aided by his faithful friend Pass) get round the pond in eighty days? He'd better, because he's wagered his boss, Fink, that he can - the stake being Phil's luxury lily pad. Phil plays fair to win the bet, but Fink doesn't, sending the devious snake Fix along with Phil to betray him.

This delightful musical play is set in a music hall on the outskirts of London at the turn of the century. There were two hundred and fifty music halls in the country at the time, and the leading performers included Harry Lauder, Dan Leno, Marie Lloyd and Vesta Tilley. All For Your Delight is not intended wholly to recreate an exact replica of a music hall performance nor to delve too deeply into social history.|7 women, 7 men

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

Charles Kingsley''s well-loved story of The Water Babies is enchantingly brought to life in this adaptation by Willis Hall. The tale of young Tom, apprentice to the unpleasant chimney-sweep Mr Grimes, and his underwater journey to the End-Of-Nowhere is interspersed with delightful songs by John Cooper. In the original professional touring production, puppets were used to represent The Water Babies and underwater creatures, but small children could be used to play these parts in, for example, schools'' productions.|6 women, 3 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

An upturned world slowly rebuilding itself after mass "devastruction". A world without order. A world in which language has returned to a child-like state full of strange words and errors. A strangely world in which men beat their fathers then bed their mothers. Such is the curse of Thebes.

The ecological effects of pollution are seen from the perspective of shellfish in this delightfully told saga. Urchin, Mussel, Starfish, Seagull and the shellfish H.C. fight to survive an oil spill resulting from the collision of ships at sea. The audience is encourage to participate in battles with Sludge and The Great Slick.|7 women or men

Browning''s famous poem is here transformed and developed into a play with music. Originally written for in-the-round performance at the Victoria Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, the play can equally be performed in a proscenium setting. The edition includes detailed production notes and the music is included in the play script.|3 women, 12 men

Adapted from the novel by Anthony Hope. This fine imperialist adventure is brought vividly to life in Matthew Francis's stirring adaptation which plunges straight into the heart of the Ruritanian dynastic conflict. Rudolph Rassendyll, young English gallant, is distantly related on the wrong side of the blanket to the Ruritanian royal family. When the Crown Prince is drugged by Black Michael, Rudolph steps in and takes the Prince's place at his coronation.|2 women, 9 men, 4 women or men

Now retired, the General tries to keep old age at bay by dallying with every available pretty woman. His wife Emily, a determined invalid, perpetually complains of her husband''s peccadilloes. Seventeen years ago, as they danced to the Waltz of the Toreadors, the General and Ghislaine de Ste Euvert fell in love. Ghislaine has waited, chaste and faithful, for the day when the General will be free of Emily. Now she comes to claim her man, armed with letters that prove Emily has been unfaithful.|7 women, 4 men

Eustace Crucible, crazed chemistry teacher, has found a formula to enhance his appearance and intelligence.|5 women, 9 men

This bewitching little play centers on the animosity between two siblings and Mrs. Meadowsweet's solution to their constant quarrelling and bickering. Mrs. Meadowsweet and her homely guest house, Respite, seem to mellow garrulous Alice, much to sister Fleur's suspicion. All of the guests seem particularly amiable and pleasant - in fact, without a care in the world. Fleur's suspicions are further aroused by their inability to remember even the slightest occurrence from their pasts.5 women

Running from Amsterdam police under cover of the night, diamond thieves Frank and Mickey find an open window, clamber inside, and discover they are in a brothel. They hide the diamonds and escape, planning to return later. Corrine and Kora, two working girls, have other ideas.