Books published by Samuel French Ltd

This is an adaptation of one of the most exciting Arabian Night stories of all time. The staging can be simple or elaborate and casting flexible - only a few thieves on stage at any one time. The plot is full of suspense and excitement, though the blood-thirstiness of the original story has been toned down. Full of humour and song, with the villians getting their comeuppance.2 women, 4 men, 7 women or men

Traces King Arthur's life from his boyhood, through his accession to the throne by means of the sword in the stone, his romance with Guinevere and his search for the Holy Grail, to his death. This is a play of magic, comedy, suspense and adventure, providing acting opportunities for a large cast.

Women are serving community punishment orders and are growing the vegetables for soup kitchens on an allotment. It is the first morning for Daisy, the new probation officer, and she is brimming with new ideas for the women's rehabilitation. However, the tables are turned when a traumatic event in Daisy's past catches up with her.

Grace and Lily reside in a nursing home with little to do but witness a senile resident impersonating Elvis. Determined to break the tedium, Grace, with the help of Lily, kidnaps care assistant Pansy, for the ransom of gin, a packet of fags and a budgie, but things don't go according to plan!

The river has burst its banks and Cynthia, with her leg in plaster, watches as her husband and daughters Angela and Jane try to save their antiques business. But the animosity between the sisters is apparent and an announcement by Angela opens up another flood - this time of family secrets!

Emily Baines and May Brewer share a room in a retirement home. Emily's previous room-mate, Bella, died not long ago. Iron-willed but forgetful, Emily is certain that Bella was murdered by one of the carers, and she has evidence to prove it. When her evidence disappears and Bella's sapphire ring is found among her possessions Emily cannot remember enough about her own past actions to stop the finger of suspicion pointing at her. It is not until May is attacked that the mystery is solved.-4 women, 1 man

Nancy is at the helm of the unhappy Empson family who, for the sake of Father's health, move to a small country village. Their new house is in a state of disrepair, but they find that a local handyman, Winston, is keen to help them out. He breaks their resistance to him with his irreverent wit, gourmet cooking, free repairs and liberal doses of sexual advice. Gradually the family are transformed by his presence.-4 women, 4 men

An ingenious set greets the audience of this award winning play: the cross section of a Victorian house that has been divided into three flats. The owner, a fastidious, elegant executive named Barbara, contentedly occupies the ordered, male free ground floor visible in its entirety. The basement ceiling can be seen and this is were Gilbert, a boorish postman and handyman, is painting a nude study of his landlady. Barbara is letting Nikki, a schoolfriend, and her fiance use the upstairs flat even though she has taken an instant dislike to him. Ever life's victim, Nikki is destined to suffer yet again when Barbara succumbs to an unexpected and violent passion.-2 women, 2 men

Geraldine and Reg, ageing hippies now trapped in Green Belt respectability by Geraldine's domineering mother, Mrs Carmichael, are giving a dinner-party. Geraldine decides to liven up the evening a bit by impersonating Reg's imaginary brother Rollo, a cad and a bounder. When Reg retaliates by dressing up as Rollo's eccentric wife, Lillian, chaos ensues. Olwen Wymark's suburban comedy is a rebel's fantasy, a hostess's nightmare, and a hijinks treat for its audiences.3 women, 3 men

It is Richard's seventieth birthday. To his Isle of Wight home come his children - Sam, unhappily married, and bringing her autistic son, Miles; Charlie, a discontented alcoholic with numerous chips on his shoulder; and Ben, whose generosity and sense of fun draw attention away from a mystery at the heart of his life. With Ben arrives Brice, an expected addition to the party and, in some quarters, an unwelcome one: for Brice was the first husband of Richard's wife, Jan, and is the real father to her children. The scene is set for a day and a night of revelations, arguments and moments of tenderness as the family seeks to resolve its difficulties and to put the past behind all of its members.4 women, 4 men, 1 boy

This clever spin off of The House of Frankenstein finds the Baron, Baroness and their repulsive retainers, Igor and Frau Lurker, going to stay at a macabre Transylvania fortress. Excitement turns to terror when they are greeted by more than a few of their mortal (and immortal) enemies. They are to take part in an unholy survival test involving ghouls, ghosts and the fiendish Dr. Jekyll. The Frankensteins flee from cellar to attic, desperate to escape a fate worse than death!-5 women, 7 men

This adaptation of Longfellow's poem into a fast-moving spectacle of dance and rhyme had a very successful run at the National Theatre. All actors are called upon to perform the fast, athletic dancing, mime and percussion that makes this play an exciting and vivid visual experience.3 women, 8 men

The young, altruistic Dr Glow is perturbed when his National Health Clinic is hired out to Dr Boxclever, a private consultant who extorts outrageous fees from his patien's by prescribing unnecessary treatmen's and useless medicin's. Boxclever persuades Dr Glow to impersonate an eminent specialist and so begins a slide into malpractice.5 women, 4 men

Cherry Hellin'sworth is fulfilling her Community Service stint by working at a Village Hall as the Functions Manager. But she's not terribly good at it. On one evening she manages to to hire out the hall to the Village Drama Society, the Cricket team, a Singing Telegram and a Country and Western group called the'southern Fried Chickens.13 women, 13 men

Max is planning to murder his wife Janet, collect her life insurance, and enjoy life with his girlfriend when Mary and George arrive on their Greek island with news: Mary and Janet are beneficiaries of a huge fortune. Plans and plots hatch, and soon everyone is bent on murder. All that stands in their way is the presence of a neighbor who knows a thing or two about murder, crime writer Edgar Chambers.3 women, 3 men

When Mother unexpectedly plans a trip home from America, she is expecting to find her beloved garden in the state in which she left it. Her son Gerald's work on the garden has fallen short of her expectations, however, and the garden is now a jungle. Neighbour Pip comes to rescue Gerald with a brilliant idea; why not try a house-swap? Things seems to work out until a news reporter from Happy Gardening comes on the scene...3 women, 2 men

Left a widow with five grown up children, Mrs. Dermot turns to brother Dan for help. Uncle Dan arrives to find an idle family ready to live on his money. He announces that he is doomed to die in three years and that he will leave his money to the member of the family who has made good by then. Each sets to with such determination that Oliver becomes a successful inventor, Evangeline a novelist, Bobbie a composer and Sylvia a film star; even Joyce, finishing her school career, distinguishes herself.-6 women, 4 men

Through the intervention of a heavenly angel turned sexy vaudeville magician, a nightclub headliner with a list of lifetime woes avoids certain death and helps others in her life move past tragedy. She ends up caroling with her friends in Times Square-- it's Christmas after all-- and remembers her guardian angel, Albert, sending him a virtual kiss of thanks.

Based on the best-selling book by Michael Foreman, Dinosaurs and All That Rubbish is an ever-topical musical play for young people, with an environmental theme.Large flexible cast

Rodney and George are to provide a dramatic interlude at the Sherlock Holmes Society's annual congress. Events turn truly dramatic when George discovers the body of Rodney's financial director, dressed as Moriarty, in Rodney's cupboard. Proudly acknowledging he's the murderer, Rodney is piqued when others make the same claim. All are thwarted when the body staggers from the cupboard and passes a suicide note to inspector Jobling-- all to the accompaniment of The Pirates of Penzance!5 women, 4 men

When his wife, Elizabeth, runs off with Ronald, the Major decides to solve his debt problems by letting the basement flat of his wife's house - to two different tenants simultaneously! The Major's resourcefulness is stretched to breaking point but after a wild confusion of mistaken identities, awkward confrontations and hectic misunderstandings, all ends happily for the Major and assorted tenants.4 women, 4 men

The Prince awakens Princess Aurora and the eager, happy young couple are about to embark on their first night of passionate love when ugly, unloved Carabosse, the wicked witch, butts in having taken a fancy to the Prince. But which one will be the Awaking Beauty?

Book by Warner Brown and David Heneker. Music by David Heneker. Characters: 4 male, 4 female This British salute to Hollywood''s glorious era of silent pictures is ideal for stock and community theatres. Characters include D. W. Griffith, Mack Sennett, Mary Pickford, and Lillian Gish. "This delightfully unassuming show contains the same naive charm as those early flicks.... [It''s a] minor miracle."-- The Daily Mail "A joyous celebration."-- International Herald Tribune

A hungry giant is advancing upon the Royal Kingdom, and his evil henchman Slither Slugslime has forced the citizens to give up all their food to satisfy his appetite. Only Tom Thumb, the King's head gardener, will stand up to him, but as punishment Slugslime casts a spell that shrinks him - to the size of a thumb.

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

Verne Morgan''s pantomimes are clear and straightforward, following the traditional stories closely. Choice of music for songs and dances is left to the director.|Large flexible cast

Elderly Valerie Trevelyan has been murdered with an overdose of painkillers and there are suspicious bruises on her neck. Worse is the fact that the 2 key suspects in the case are her sons, Gavin and Miles. Making no secret of their cold relationship with each other, both had a financial motive and the physical opportunity to have been the killer.