Books published by Samuel French Ltd

When Harold Spooks is sprung from prison in order to tell the gang where in the hotel he stashed the loot, it seems that everything is going to plan. Unfortunately, he's the wrong Harold Spooks and this Harold has no idea where the money is hidden. He's also a bit of an idiot and liable to give the game away at any moment.-3 women, 3 men

David Wood has adapted this fairy tale into a musical play rather than conventional pantomime. Comedy, adventure and lively original songs combine to make these unusual plays sure-fire hits with family audiences...5 women, 8 men

Penniless Dame Foxtrot doesn't know her old Grandfather Clock is a magical possession. Years ago the Fairy Queen locked into it the wicked Black Imp who menaced Fairyland. If the clock ever struck One the Imp would be freed, to the Queen took away the key. But the wicked Wizard steals the key, frees the Imp, and seeks to destroy Fairyland by using him to get the magic Jewel of Miracles.Large flexible cast

Mr Wilkins, an unpopular master of Jennings' boarding school, is rumoured to be leaving. When Mr Wilkins is asked to play the King in the end of term performance of Henry V, the result is near to chaos. However, the last-minute arrival of a "real" actor saves the day.-1 woman, 4 men, 3 girls, 4 boys

Set in Penang, Malaysia, and based on a true story, this powerful, gripping and unnervingly funny play focuses on two young Englishmen facing the death sentence for drug-trafficking. Their bewilderment and inadequacy in dealing with the experience, and their reactions to an alien culture, together with those of their families, only serve to make matters worse.4 women, 5 men

The translator of a popular version of Feydeau's A Flea in Her Ear scored another success with this acclaimed farce at the National Theatre of Great Britain. More slam bang experiences in mistaken identities and sexual peccadillos, this hilarious story begins with M. Pinglet's efforts to have a fling with Mme. Paillardin, who is terminally bored with her husband. The lovers book a room in a very out of the way hotel which quickly becomes a destination for practically everyone they know.Large cast

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay." Romans 12:19 This book also includes two short stories - San Sebastian and Noche de Sangre - which expand the world of the plays.

Based on a short story by Daphne du Maurier. Spending a holiday with her family in a luxury hotel during a heat-wave, Marie finds life with her conservative, passionless husband suffocatingly repressive. He is unexpectedly called away on business and, inspired by hints dropped by her easy-going friend Elise, Marie starts an affair with a handsome young photographer, undeterred by the fact that he has a club-foot. The brief infatuation brings tragedy and horror, leading to the photographer's death, a threat of blackmail by his sister, also club-footed, and finally an even more fearful dread, following an innocent remark by Marie's husband, that such deformities are sometimes inherited, latent in an unborn child.|4 women, 3 men, 2 girls

Cranford is a small country market town, inhabited largely by women. This is a community that runs on cooperation and gossip, at the very heart of which are the daughters of the former rector Miss Deborah Jenkyns and her sister Miss Matty. But domestic peace is constantly threatened in the form of financial disaster, imagined burglaries, tragic accidents, and the reappearance of long-lost relatives.|9 women, 2 men

After rescuing a toy duck from the dustbin in their backyard, Mr. Fisher and Mr. Wheeler, two temporarily nomadic garden gnomes, decide to venture over the garden wall into the big wide world. Their object is to find a holiday island, just like the 'Big Ones', but being unused to the hazards of the concrete jungle of the town, they almost don't make it. Until they meet Chips, that is. Chips is a very cool cat, and with his help the gnomes and Baby Duck survive several urban adventures before reaching their island in the sun. Although it is not quite as expected (a traffic island!), they all agree that it is the best holiday they have ever had.|Flexible cast

Hill has turned H.G. Wells's novel into a music-hall romp. The sinister Griffin arrives with his face swathed in bandages, and the village wonder if it was really an accident that destroyed his face - there is only one way to find out. So the Invisible Man takes his bandages off to reveal no head!

Dramatized from the novels of John Galsworthy. Galsworthy's famous trilogy has been superbly adapted for the stage and achieved enormous acclaim following a national tour, starring Nyree Dawn Porter. Set between 1886 and 1920 with multiple locations cleverly contained within one set - a Victorian style conservatory - requiring the minimum of props, the play centres on Soames and Irene and the stifling, destructive power of the Forsyte family, embodied in the cold hauteur of Soames.|5 women, 5 men, 1 woman or man

When Charlie Nicholson is offered a commission he sees a way to escape his debts and writer's block. Merlin Foster, an actor with multiple marriages behind him, has specific needs. Charlie's script must contain the perfect method and alibi for the murder of Merlin's wife.

On a tranquil Caribbean island, the inhabitants are preparing a ceremony to the gods. Suddenly harmony is shattered when pirates sail in and threaten to take over the island. A battle commences and Fafa, the Sun God's teenage son, descends to help. However, his father has forbidden him to use magic amongst the mortals, and he and the islanders have to think quickly to save their island. They somehow manage to conjure up something far more terrifying than they could ever have imagined - a school headmistress!2 women, 4 men, 4 girls or boys

A tie-in edition to the upcoming Broadway revival of Tom Stoppard's extraordinary play about love and marriage--the work that has been called "the most moving play" ("The New York Times") he has ever written.

Called the funniest farce ever written, Noises Off presents a manic menagerie as a cast of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called Nothing's On. Doors slamming, on and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot of this hilarious and classically comic play. "The play opens with a touring company dress-rehearsing Nothing On, a conventional farce. Mixing mockery and homage, Frayn heaps into this play-within-a-play a hilarious mel¿e of stock characters and situations.

As they play their little pieces of music, the ladies of the brasserie orchestra (and the solitary male pianist) reveal seething volcanoes under the placid exterior. Jealousy, gossip, boasting and thwarted emotions climax in one of them shooting herself in the toilets - but the music goes jauntily on.|6 women, 1 man

Set in a Welsh seaside caravan park, this is the story of a working class Liverpool family. When Kim, 15, brings 20-year-old Mick back to the caravan she finds herself covered in ice cream, Mick's prelude to rape and an unwanted pregnancy. Then her sister, Kelly, falls for the same man.

A father is driven by despair to abandon his family after the tragic death of his wife. He leaves the children to successfully run a family home, unknown to any authorities. When money runs out, they have one day left together, and their existence unfolds as social workers discuss the case.

It is Christmas Eve, and a lonely dog arrives at Mother Hubbard's Home for Lost Children; but alas, her cupboard is bare. Worse still, she is turned out by the bailiff and the rent collector, together with her brood of nursery-rhyme children. They make their way to a forest, where they encounter a magician, the Great Boon, on his way to a circus. By a fortunate mistake, the magician casts a spell which enlarges the bailiff's boot to a size which makes it big enough for Mother Hubbard to take temporary residence inside. But her troubles are far from over, and they all undergo many adventures - not least with a sinister Cat, before all turns out well, and they are able to take part in a Grand Circus.|Large flexible cast

David Langton, a young man in his mid-twenties returns home, clearly in a state of great agitation. When he hears his parents Joan and Richard, returning from a dinner dance he lies and tells them he has been in all evening. Then his eighteen year old brother, Charles, arrives with the news that there has been a murder on the cliff top. Richard, the editor of the local paper goes out to the scene of the crime with his younger son, to get the story.2 women, 4 men

When Lady Boothroyd hears that the authorities are determined to drive a road through her grounds she announces her intention to kill herself the moment the bulldozers start on their shameful work. At first disbelieving, the family at length realizes to their horror that this is no joke. All means of persuasion fail. As the hour strikes and the bulldozers' roar is heard the old General enters in regimental regalia, while his old ex army servant sounds the "Last Post." Then, as the whole family stands stricken, the door opens....3 women, 5 men

David Wood has adapted this fairytale into a musical play rather than conventional pantomime. Comedy, adventure and lively original songs combine to make these unusual plays sure-fire hits with family audiences.|Large flexible cast

Jeffrey and Belinda are just about to type the last word of their new play when a full range of characters come to life and start to enact parts the authors can no longer control. A ghost writer lends a hand. As the play draws to a close, the writers find themselves totally embroiled in the action and only the ghost''s ironical laughter is left for a grand finale!|8 women, 13 men

Captain Blackboot and crew have been living on the desert island for months and he has worked out a Treasure Trail hoping his island will become famous. Three young seekers arrive followed by Wicked Pirates and even the Captain's wife and children. Real treasure is found and a battle results.|Large flexible cast

Lady Cleveland has helped the Little Dowgate branch of the Women's Institute in the past, and four of its members are determined to repay her at all costs. When old Bates, Lady Cleveland's gardener, goes into hospital they see a perfect opportunity.|8 women