Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Four expectant mothers and one father find themselves in a small hospital room awaiting the midwife who is to give them their first Parentcraft class. Differences in experiences, outlook and class lead to some interesting and at times hilarious exchanges, as each of the five have to face, and come to terms with, the prejudices and foibles of their companions. An amazing revelation shocks them all - one of their number is not, in fact, going to be a parent at all!4 women, 1 man

Neurotic Andrea, slobbish Stephen, efficient Hilary and meek Duncan share a flat and, given their very different characters, it is no surprise that they do not get on particularly well. Other People depicts half an hour in the life of this chaotic and argumentative household, in which tempers are lost, crockery is broken and tears are shed...|2 women, 2 men

Fizz and Frank, elderly actors who were deeply in love, have been divorced for many years. Amazingly, they find themselves in a rambling garden where two young people enact scenes from their past. A man appears, explaining they have entered the "hereafter" but Fizz is not really meant to be there and must choose between life and her true feelings for her husband...|2 women, 3 men

After 45 years of marriage, George Balmforth decides that there has to be more to life than Kwik Save, finnan haddock and twist pile carpet. But when his wife, Dora, discovers that he intends to build a model of Leeds Town Hall out of 250,000 matchsticks, the trouble starts.

A powerful and tense three hander based on the author's research while living in Thailand. Although written in the early nineties it is still topical today with themes of greed, morality and do the ends justify the means. Having made his name as a comedy writer this was the first of the author`s equally successful thrillers.|1 woman, 2 men

Madam, once a distinguished actress, lives in seclusion in a cottage in West London, looked after by her housekeeper and ex-dresser, Doris. Their peaceful routine includes regular visits from the doctor and the insipid Sylvia, who takes acting lessons from Madam. Life for these ladies has become a well-regulated, quiet experience. One day, however, a surprise visitor arrives - Ursula, Madam's estranged daughter, who is nursing a bitter secret.4 women, 1 man

Gus and Wally meet while jogging near their holiday hotel. Gus and his wife Sylvie are on a seven day package deal, while Wally is honeymooning his second wife Norma. At first, Gus envies Wally's money, success, beautiful wife etc. While the men become acquainted while jogging, their wives exchange confidences while sunbathing. During the course of a week Gus changes. Subtly becoming top dog as he discovers Wally's weak points.2 women, 2 men

Interior Designs is a masterly observation of human relationships and conflicting viewpoints by Jimmie Chinn. Him, a brash, arrogant odd job man, is offering his "services" to three women: Holly, a successful TV-am newsreader; Irene, a solitary school teacher; and Amy, a frustrated housewife. Although of very different backgrounds, the three women share a common fate of loneliness and frustration.|3 women, 1 man

Beattie Gladwin, too old to look after herself any longer, is forced to sell the house, which she's lived in throughout her marriage. But she doesn't want to let go of the house or the memories; so when the young couple, Michelle and Brian move in, she visits them and they become embroiled in to the events, which took place in the past. Beattie's sister, Polly, is also present. Strange things have happened and continue to happen and Michelle and Brian are not certain whether their visitors are real or ghosts. Can you decide?

Chester Dreadnought bluffs his way into the crumbling stately home of an impecunious aristocratic family, and even a trigger-happy belted Earl suffering from hallucinations cannot keep at bay the enterprising pair of jewel thieves who are pursuing their loot - not to mention Chester - round the castle. Suits of armour and secret doors, mistaken identities and dotty servants all help to provide the variety of fare that goes to the making of this wild goose chase.5 women, 5 men

The imaginary lines are the things we wish we could say, or had said usually to the opposite sex. Here, they are asides in the dialogue which provide amusing counterpoints to what the characters are really saying to each other. Will Sir Michael get Wanda to go off with him for a weekend frolic? Will Wanda decide who she wants? Will Howard win Wanda or get stuck with Carol? This witty, literate romantic comedy is sure to delight and amuse.3 women, 2 men

After receiving a letter from beyond the grave, Carla Crale believes her mother, who died in prison, was wrongly convicted of her father's murder. In a passionate attempt to clear her name, she persuades those present on the day of her father's death to return to the scene of the crime and "go back" 16 years to recount their version of events. An unusual take on the traditional murder mystery, the action of the play slips seamlessly from past to present, examining the danger of relying on personal testimony warped by time, prejudice and perception. By studying each suspect's testimony, and the various inconsistencies between them, the drama arrives at a disturbing and terrible truth."Demonstrates the author's uncanny skill. The answer to the riddle is brilliant." THE TIMES

Written by award-winning playwright Paddy Campbell (Wet House), Day of the Flymo looks at the lives of young people deemed to be chaotic, a brother and sister struggling to cover up the cracks and the mechanisms that swing into action when social services step in. Based on his own experience working in a children's home, Paddy Campbell's Day of the Flymo asks what do you do when the state decides it's going to take over from your Mam?

When the Catholic Church decides to close the tiny convent of St Gudrun and dispose of its assets, it unwittingly brings tragedy to the peaceful village of Redston.

Following their success with Dazzle, the authors have turned their attention to football (a.k.a. soccer) in this hilarious musical about a hapless city team out to win the World Cup Six a Side Championship. With a host of comic characters, this fun filled comedy is a sure winner. Rockasocka offers opportunities for flexible casting and can be played on a proscenium or thrust stage or in the round to create a football atmosphere.|6 women, 6 men

Period 1818 (Regency), 1843 (Early Victorian), 1940s. Vocal score on hire. Perusal material available.13 women, 10 men

The folk tale is embellished with fresh touches as the legend of the Sword in the Stone is reflected in Jack's methods, the Dame has a tremendous fight with the Giant's evil henchman and the original Vegetable Fairy displays her usual Power for Good (she is frequently overly optimistic and bungles her efforts). The climatic contest between Jack and the Giant is described in detail and special interpolations include an updated version of a famous Grimaldi comedy "baby bathing' scene.Large flexible cast

Dodie Smith's children's novel is brought to the stage by Glyn Robbins.

In a hotel room in Azerbaijan, Howard wakes up with a hangover. Proffering English tea and sympathy is ministry official, Yellena. Slowly, it emerges that Howard, who is to referee an important international football match, has disgraced himself the previous evening at a dinner. Or has he?

A young man and woman meet in a wayside hotel during lunch hour to express their love. In order to be discreet, he has fabricated a story of marriage, children, distant home, to satisfy the concierge.The woman is confused when confronted with this fabrication, and as she unravels the matter in her mind the enchantment of love begins to fade. In brilliant dialogue by one of England's best writers.2 women, 1 man

Amelia, Rachel and Joanne, the wives of three rich men, meet regularly to continue their charity work for Save Our Starving. In order to increase their charity's turnover, Amelia thinks up a scheme to play the stock market, exploiting information gained from their husbands' business dealings.

What happens when two writers who have worked together for years start to hate each other? The team has won awards and made money. Harry Kent has saved and invested and now lives with his glamorous wife in a sun drenched luxury flat high above the Sussex coast, where the play is set. Paul Riggs has spent his fees on booze and birds, and he lives in dread of bookies' heavies. Harry wants to break the partnership that is Paul's lifeline, but Paul knows a sinister secret from Harry's past. They are therefore locked together in a dance from which murder seems the only escape and they have just plotted the perfect crime for their latest TV film.1 woman, 3 men

In a tiny, tatty room in a teachers' centre, Team B are up to their eyebrows in A Level English Literature marking. Elsewhere in the building, the dreaded Team A are coping far better. Doors slam, tempers are lost, and personalities crumble as the situation becomes ever more chaotic.

In this wry romantic comedy, Max and Kate tell the story of the marriage break-up in two chronological threads. When Kate, feeling under-appreciated, moves out, her father-in-law moves in with Max because he cannot bear his wife Jenny any longer. Then Jenny moves in with Kate.

A comedy which opens in the hours following the funeral of George Marlowe. The caterers have got the wake confused with a child's fifth birthday tea, and things go downhill with the green jelly. Then George's ghost arrives to show the three women in his life that life goes on.

The Affair is a 1962 play by Ronald Millar based on the novel by C.P. Snow. A group of professors at Cambridge University try to hire an old colleague back even though they all don't like him, they all agree he was dismissed unfairly.

World famous director Sebastian Rickter is holding open auditions for a new West End musical called Dream Street and is looking for undiscovered talent. Local kids are encouraged to audition so Jemima, Lily, Hugo and Charlie decide to go for it!|Large flexible cast

Set in the village of Pumpernickel, the Forest Fairy and Attrocia, the Witch, battle for the villagers. Attrocia builds the Gingerbread House to entice the children, Hansel and Gretel, but events stop short before they are eaten, although the witch gets her just desserts!

Lydia and her boyfriend Marcus rehearse the murder of Theo, Lydia's husband, which they are to commit that evening. When the victim and "perfect witness" arrive all goes according to plan except that Marcus kills Lydia. A ghastly mistake - or are there some deviations from the original plot? In reality Marcus is Theo's boyfriend and Lydia the intended victim all along.2 women, 2 men

When Student Alan moves into an attic flat, he does not expect to find it already inhabited by someone else. They mysterious Philip claims to be the son of an African chief with ten wives waiting for him back home, but his presence is the least of Alan's worries.-1 woman, 3 men