Books published by Samuel French Ltd

Enrolled in Camp Confidence, Maria (terrified of birds), Blanche (agoraphobic), Donna (single mum on probation) and Cherry (an obsessive cleaner), are led by the skilled but harassed Julia and her uncertain assistant Fiona. The four learn a great deal about each other and themselves and emerge happier and more secure. This is their story.

A snowstorm traps a group of guests and crew into the Greenfingers Palace Hotel. A detective is sent to the hotel to investigate a top secret crime, but it is Miss Tracey and new hostess who solve everything.-6 women, 4 men

Dennis spends his spare time messing about in his untidy garage, indifferent to the fact that his wife is being driven to distraction and beyond by his possessive mother. The hidden tension and antagonisms under an apparently normal surface build up to a climax of bizarre violence and madness.3 women, 2 men

Specially commissioned to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Southwark Playhouse, Samuel Adamson's new version of A Doll's House brings zest to this classic play.4 women, 4 men

The wide expanse of Dickens' novel on the riches and hardships of the Industrial Revolution is triumphantly brought to life in his skillful adaptation of Hard Times for a cast of four. The nineteen or so main speaking parts are portrayed by two actors and two actresses, each of whom also takes a share of the passages of direct narration; the various interior and exterior settings can be simply but effectively suggested with a minimum of props and furniture.-2 women, 2 men

Ever since he first saw her, Frederick Clegg has been obsessed with Miranda Grey. The repressed, introverted butterfly collector admires the beautiful, privileged art student from afar until he wins the Lottery and buys a remote country house, planning to bring her there as his "guest".

Since Dad died, Mum has carried on the family business and profits have increased two-fold. Keeping a tight rein on her three sons, Mum's plans for an anniversary celebration (despite her late husband's absence) bring out rebellion among the sons and her long-held reign is ended at last.3 women, 3 men

The Heather Brothers' homage to swinging sixties music was a smash hit at the King's Head Theatre and it enjoyed a long run after transferring to London's Arts Theatre.-5 women, 4 men

A thunderstorm. A windswept country house. A family of failures - a detective who has never solved a case, a writer, an artist, a composer, and a dysfunctional teenager - are all arguing over a bequest. But the victim is not who we think it will be and the murderer could be one of three people.

Never has the celebrated author of Butley and Otherwise Engaged been more amusing and more touching than in this thoroughly delightful portrait of a mediocre but lovable English schoolteacher named St. John Quartermaine and his fellow faculty at a small school in Cambridge which teaches English to foreigners.2 women, 5 men

Joshua is about to become a brother, isn't happy at the prospect, and doesn't want to stay with Uncle Ronnie and five-year-old Lucy. Then Joshua finds a dinosaur egg and a magical adventure begins as they travel back in time to return the egg. Written for adults to perform to children aged from five to seven it is also successful with audiences up to age eleven.|2 women, 1 man, 4 women or men

Benjamin Cooper provides comfort and satisfaction to his wealthy patients, by improving their good looks with the aid of surgery. One of his patients is Angie Dell, a model at the peak of her powers. Her charms do not escape Benjamin, nor his old friend and former mentor, Hravic Zyergfoovc.

This is an off beat version of the famous English anti nuclear cartoon parable. Jim and Hilda Bloggs hear that a nuclear strike is headed their way. Armed with government leaflets, they construct a refuge with the solid cheerfulness they felt during the blitz. Trusting in the powers that be, they emerge after the bombing and wait for government assistance. Radiation sickness takes them, still loving each other and uttering prayers.|2 women, 4 men

Assumed identities, breakneck pace and hilarious mishaps of farce mix with the tension and startling plot reversals of a thriller in this clever, amusing play which toured as Snakes and Ladders in 2002. The Spencers arrive for a peaceful holiday in a luxurious Spanish villa, closely followed by actor Howard Booth and his girlfriend. Unfortunately, Sam and Howard have matching holdalls which have become mixed up. Yet a third, identical holdall, full of money, brings the sinister Raynor to the villa...|2 women, 4 men

This is a modern fable which tells the story of a world in the grip of two giants whose insatiable appetite is driving it, apparently inevitably, to utter devastation. How a society and its individuals react to such a threat is the subject of this multi-faceted play, whose "storytelling" style encourages inventive and imaginative approaches to dramatic work with the performer acting as both character and narrator.Large flexible cast

The attic of the family home in Ireland, once a playroom, is the setting for this sinister play from the author of Bar and Ger. Awaiting the death of their father, sisters talk about their unhappy lives long into the night. The time comes for a ritual re enactment of a violent incident from their childhood. Departing from the hitherto naturalistic style, Aron imaginatively has the sisters speak and act in unison to create the persona of a young boy. When the ritual is complete, things return to normal and the women seem to have found answers to their problems. Remaining is the uneasy prospect of the past repeating itself. Inventive and mysterious, this play is a challenge to both actors and directors.3 women

This wonderful show is a dramatization of business letters between a young struggling writer in New York and an antiquarian book store in London. In a sense, these are also love letters. They are about the love of good literature. The play takes place over a twenty year period, beginning in 1949 when Helene Hanff (played on Broadway by Ellen Burstyn) first writes Marks & Co. and ends in 1969 with the death of Frank Doel, the delightfully dusty supplier of so many old volumes to Helen who has shown her gratitude through the years by sending "care packages" to the staff of Marks & Co.

Philip is going through a messy divorce. To make himself some money and give his life a boost of adrenalin, he devises a cunning scheme to rob the London department store Jarvis and Klein of its daily takings. He needs help, however, so he enlists John, an ex-stationery salesman sacked for fiddling his expenses, and Dave, another salesman with a hugely expensive lifestyle, as his partners in crime.2 women, 3 men

Characters: 6 male, 7 female Scenery: InteriorThere's an outrageously funny basic situation, terrific pace and suspense and laughs galore. Chauncey and Lillums arrive at "Stone Mansion" for their honeymoon. It's an isolated country estate belonging to his aunt and supposedly unoccupied. Chauncey confesses he's been "afraid of the dark" ever since childhood. Having unburdened himself---m the lights suddenly go out! And then they go on again and they find they're surrounded by fantastic char

Young Frederick has the difficult task of trying to persuade everyone in the world to jump into the air at a given moment or the world will crash to pieces. Includes parts for six men and two women with doubling.

Henry Bell has come to the Albert Bridge to throw himself off because he has lost his wife and his job. Instead, he saves Karen Knightly who has thrown herself off the bridge already and is dangling by her caught coat. They spend a long night driving. Henry learns that Karen has been jilted by a lover who has gone back to his wife. She suggests revenge as a way to heal their emotional wounds: she will fix Henry's dreadful former boss and Henry must ruin her ex lover's wife.-12 women, 11 men

A summer evening's barbecue is the setting for a meeting of the Trealaw and District Operatic Society. Next season's play is to be announced but Nick, the society's business manager, has promised a different show and the plum roles to four different people. As the evening progresses each character's foibles and talents are revealed: Joyce, once talented and well meaning, is a lush; Teddy is alternately sweet and strident; Derek is pathetic but lovable. The complex relationships between players emerge as moments of pure slapstick and farce alternate with ones full of real drama and pathos.6 women, 4 men

A play which looks at the political costs of women rising to the top.