Books published by Samuel French Ltd

This chilling mystery thriller by the author of Rosemary's Baby explores the thin line between fantasy and reality, madness and murder. Students Susan and Larry find themselves as guests enticed to the Brabissant mansion by it's dissolute caretakers the lonely Mackeys. Struck by Susan's strong resemblance to Veronica Brabissant, long-dead daughter of the family for whom they work, the older couple gradually induce her to impersonate Veronica briefly to solace the only living Brabissant, her addled sister who believes Veronica alive.-2 women, 2 men

The structure of this play is a loosely connected sequence of sketches, some deliberately written for great comic effect, and others pitched in a much lower key. It is about a boy growing up in the period from the end of World War Two to the late 1960s.Large flexible cast

Did the daughter of Tsar Nicholas II die with the rest of the imperial family in 1918? Or was she the girl found in an asylum in 1920? This brilliantly executed drama presents the case for and against "Mrs. Manahan" using only four actors Mrs. Manahan, a police inspector who later plays his own son, and a additional actor and actress who play between them thirty parts. Audiences are spellbound by this compelling play with a final surprising twist.-2 women, 2 men

Sir Geoffrey arrives home from the Orient bringing a pendant on which is inscribed the location of secret treasure. Evil Dr Fu Man Chu attempts to recover it but is thwarted by the British Secret Service. A short play suitable for inclusion in a Music Hall evening or similar compilation. Contained in The Chinese Pendant and Other Plays.|Flexible cast

Ceres, the Goddess of the Harvest, has a daughter, Persephone, who at 16 is kidnapped by Dis, God of the Underworld. In despair Ceres neglects her duties, and humanity is in danger of starvation. Based on the Greek myth, this play for children is simple to stage and deals with relevant themes.

This comic tale of mistaken identity unfolds with real wit and style. A Portuguese time share villa has been double booked without the company representative, myopic tippler Commander "Chitto" Chittenden, knowing. When Mary and Henry arrive shortly after Eve and Leslie, Chitto manages to remain unaware that there is more than one couple on the scene. The confusion is compounded when each couple mistakes the other for the servants.4 women, 4 men

Due to an unfortunate triple booking, three storytellers, Peter, Paul and Percy, arrive simultaneously each to tell his own story. After some acrimony, Percy wins out and is soon telling his story - a Victorian yarn featuring, to his dismay, Paul who has hijacked the leading role. Soon Peter in turn is continuing Percy's unresolved fable only to find Percy appearing in this. In due course, Peter appears in Paul's gothic story (an extension of Peter's forties tales) and together they reach a surprisingly happy conclusion.8 women, 9 men

The four ladies in the Home for Retired Gentlewomen are upset when their TV breaks down at the climax of a real life murder drama. They talk about the murder. To the horror of three of them, it appears that the fourth, gentle Mary, may have been the murderess. When Mary leaves the room, the others consult the Matron as to what steps should be taken; however, on Mary's return a most unexpected telephone conversation sets their fears at rest and leaves them feeling rather foolish. But after they have gone and Mary is left alone, her behavior is strange, to say the least.5 women

Vincent is a professional suicide merchant. He has been summoned by Walter Bryce and mistakenly assumes that his potion is for Walter's consumption. Eventually it becomes clear that Walter's wife Celia is the client or is she? Why are her suicide letters typed and unsigned? Several attempts to do away with various characters result in multiple poisonings of a rubber plant. Will anyone actually drink the potion?2 women, 3 men

A chance meeting brings Rick and Jane together, and at first their conversation at Rick's house seems innocent. Then the clues to the truth assemble: it is not Rick's house at all; he engineered their meeting; he knows all about Jane's marriage to the violent Michael; and he wants Michael dead.

Spain is a well-known haven for criminals who skip abroad. On the Costa del Sol, professional safe-cracker Larry has struck it lucky. Gorgeous Suzy asks him to steal the diamonds from her husband Alex's safe and run away with her to Rio. At the same time Alex also employs Larry to murder Suzy for her ¿100,000 life insurance policy. Larry decides to tell Suzy about her husband's plans, and they together plot to steal the diamonds, murder Alex, and make off with the dividend from Alex's similar insurance policy.1 woman, 2 men

This scorching comedy of personalities and situations revolves around the funeral of an elderly father. The family includes a cook who bakes almondless almond cakes, a man who is convinced his shopping trolley is a dog he has already taught it to beg and a sister who is a happy inmate at a psychiatric home. The hilarity includes a posthumous joke played by a Father on his daughters. This is not a close knit family; they've even got the wrong person from the psychiatric home!8 women, 5 men, 1 boy

The play follows the relationship between Mary, Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I, from shortly before the former's return to Scotland, through her marriage to Darnley, Rizzio's death, the scandal over Bothwell, Mary's imprisonment, Catholic plots, until her execution, closing as Spain's Armada is in active preparation.Large cast

Fresh out of prison, a young man returns to his English coastal home village. He takes a job offered by the local eccentric, a clockmaker and friend of his father.

Unemployed Carlene, her friend Val and the homeless Woman share their mornings in the park. They indulge in mockery of Nanny, another park regular. In Val and Carlene, Nanny recognizes traces of her own past that trouble her conscience. Val and Carlene enact a dramatic flashback to forty years before, in which Nanny dismisses her nursery maid Rosie for 'immoral' behaviour.|4 women

With the best of all possible motives, needless to say, Winifred and Una come to "sort through" Aunty Dorothy's things after the funeral, and they find that they have been forestalled! The self-righteousness tinged heavily with greed, and the pretensions and pretences that afflict families at such times are perceptively portrayed in this amusing and touching family play.4 women

A witty, astutely observed study of sexual politics in contemporary society which centres on an all-female reading group. Oriole wants to study contemporary authors, while Anne prefers well-known classics. Pondering the relative merits, the women reveal themselves, their personalities echoing the literary heroines. But not everyone is there for literature. Nefarious designs are uncovered and tensions rise to a dramatic climax.5 women, 2 men

Edwina and Jonathan Lovelock are to divorce - hardly the best advertisement for 'Perfect Partners', the dating agency they run together. When a prospective client is revealed as a journalist looking to write a blistering exposé of dating agencies, the couple have a battle on their hands. Sparkily amusing, combining a satirical glimpse of the cynical yet romantic world of dating agencies with a witty, touching personal drama.|2 women, 2 men

Olive and Hilary, relinquishing professional careers, have found true happiness living simply. Monica, Olive's sister and a marketing executive, arrives for a break from her husband Derek who has quit a pensionable job. Olive and Hilary sympathize with Derek, cheerfully resisting Monica's attempts to dissuade them from their chosen lifestyle and Monica's intolerance becomes her downfall in this amusing, very entertaining play!|3 women, 2 men

At his firm's Christmas party, Brian is waylaid by Claire - who discovers that he likes to sing Doris Day songs at home. Claire and her friend Wendy set about persuading and training Brian to take part in a talent competition. But is Wendy using him to aid her revenge on another colleague?

Percival arrives in a Rolls Royce at Darren's distinctly working-class house to view a Citroen which Darren is selling. Polite conversation highlights the differences in the two men's lifestyles, but it is not until Darren's wife arrives that the skeletons come tumbling out of everyone's cupboards.

Bill is caught by Adrian while breaking into a suburban house. When Helen, Adrian's wife, appears, Bill calls in Linda, heavily pregnant, from the garden. Adrian shows them that the visible affluence is a facade for enormous debts. Bill urges Linda to be absolutely honest, whereupon she removes the cushion from her jumper. Later it appears Adrian and Helen are guilty of untruths, as they are not the actual houseowners.|2 women, 2 men

A team from Crescent TV is filming a documentary about ghosts at Renfield Hall. All is going well until a heavy lamp mysteriously falls from its stand, injuring Joe, a technician. Shortly afterwards, blood appears on the portrait of Philomel, a young beauty murdered at the Hall in Victorian times. The events of Philomel's murder have frightening parallels in the lives of everyone present. The elements of a ghost story combine with those of a murder thriller to produce a drama with numerous satisfying twists.2 women, 3 men

Jim Watt runs the London office of a stock exchange firm and is hosting dinner for the International Director and his wife, Bill and Nancy McGregor, members of the anti-permissive society group. As Bill strongly disapproves of unmarried couples living together, Jim asks his girlfriend, Helen, to pose as his wife for the evening.

Marion Bishop, an elderly writer of romantic novels, is dying. Katherine Willis, kind soul from the nearby village, looks after Marion in a most caring way while coping with her own mentally retarded brother of twenty. When Katherine takes leave to attend her cousin's wedding in Scotland. Laura and experienced nurse from London comes to take care of the failing writer, on the recommendation of the local doctor. A series of mysterious phone calls and the appearance of Raymond, Marion's rapacious nephew, set off a nightmare situation which becomes increasingly complicated when Katherine's brother is found murdered in a ditch. 4 women, 3 men

As he tidies up an empty stage, the Sweeper is tempted to experiment with the magic power of the theatre--to create life through the exercise of imagination. After a few preliminary tries in summoning up a rabbit and an elephant, the Sweeper plunges ahead and creates a Young Man and a Young Woman. Then, as ever more characters are called for, events begin to go beyond his bewildered control. The most potent forces in human life and society--love, hate, politics, religion--emerge and dominate, and with them the bickering, dissension and decadence which they can engender.5 women, 12 men

Stacey Harrison is a charming, intelligent, successful career woman who unfortunately gets involved in divorce, but several murders as well.2 women, 6 men

All the traditional elements are intact in this new pantomime which is set just after the English Civil War, when the Puritan Witchfinder General is trying to stamp out Christmas jollifications and meeting spirited opposition. A brisk yet enchanting pantomime, offering a traditional festive flavour of Olde England, but played out before a very appealing and colourful historical backdrop, with lots of excellent opportunities for most attractive costumes and settings.5 women, 7 men, 1 woman or man