Plays, playscripts, drama
Samuel French Ltd Allo Allo
Book SynopsisComedyCharacters: 10 male, 5 female, plus extrasScenery: Unit setBased on the hugely successful British television series that ran for seven seasons, this uproarious comedy relates the adventures of a hapless cafe owner, Rene, in occupied France. You can see all of your favorite TV characters in the flesh, including Rene''s tone-deaf wife Edith, Major-General von Klinkerhoffen and the Gestapo officer Herr Flick!He and his wife have stashed a priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis in a sausage in their cellar, where two British airmen are also hiding until the Resistance can repatriate them. Communications with London using the wireless that is disguised as a cockatoo add to the many embarrassments this intrepid proprietor endures in the company of his patrons. News that the Fuhrer is scheduled to visit the town inspires tricksters disguised as Hitler to frequent the cafe. Meanwhile Rene summons all the wit he can muster to save his cafe and his life.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Book SynopsisLittle Voice (LV) lives alone with her mother Mari, whose sole purpose in life is to find a man. When Mari's latest catch hears LV's impersonations of famous singers, he rushes to exploit it, and the result destroys LV. Finally, however, LV regains the courage to speak and sing in her own voice.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Rumours
Book SynopsisKen and Chris have found their host Charley, a prominent Government official, in his bedroom, too dazed to speak, with a bullet wound in his ear lobe! Len and Claire arrive, themselves injured in a car crash, and are soon joined by Ernest and Cookie, Glenn and Cassie, each with their own problems. A second, accidental, gunshot leaves Ken temporarily deaf, the police arrive and Len has to pretend he is Charley, concocting a touching and fantastic explanation...5 women, 4 men
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Lords and Ladies
Book SynopsisThe Lancre Witches, Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg, are the Discworld's only hope of rescue when elves threaten to take control with their hypnotic glamour. Standing stones; wizards; Morris men and Rude Mechanicals; country lore and ancient magic all feature in this adaptation.
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Time of My Life
Book Synopsis
£14.43
Samuel French Ltd Gut Girls
Book SynopsisPremiéred at London''s Albany Empire in 1988 and set in Deptford at the turn of the century this play traces the lives of the girls who work in the gutting sheds of the Cattle Market and how their lives are changed when the sheds are closed down. Although the girls are unwilling participants in a club founded by Lady Helena to find alternative employment the results are not without tragic consequences.11 women, 6 men
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd In at the Deep End
Book SynopsisThe highly moral Mr Potter presides over a health farm and prides himself on his high standards. But when Gerald Corby arrives in search of peace and tranquillity - only to be followed by a trio of ladies in his life and an apparently sex-mad window-cleaner - the resulting misunderstandings and mix-ups prove more than a headache for the hapless Mr Potter as he strives to keep the moral fabric of the health farm intact.3 women, 3 men
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Alone it Stands
Book SynopsisOctober 31st 1978. Thomond Park, Limerick. The mighty New Zealand All Blacks, on an Irish tour, take on the none-too-mighty Munster team - and, to everyone''s surprise, they lose 12-0. From this piece of Irish sporting history John Breen has fashioned a funny, lively play in which both teams, plus fans, children, relatives and even a dog, are portrayed by a cast of six, with no props and only a half-time change of shirt.
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Afternoon at the Seaside
Book SynopsisA whimsical day by the sea in a British resort. An emerald necklace has been stolen and the Inspector has to investigate an extraordinary mix of characters. Part of the triple bill The Rule of Three which also features The Rats and The Patient.5 women, 7
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd The Browning Version
Book SynopsisIll health is forcing Andrew to retire from teaching. His wife despises him for his failures and finds consolation with Frank, a younger teacher. She openly taunts Andrew while Frank watches with disgust and shame. The wife knows she has lost Frank - but even more bitter is the realization he''s now Andrew''s best friend.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd The Collection
Book SynopsisStella returns from her dress collection in Leeds to tell James, her husband, that she has been unfaithful. James confronts Bill, pressing for the truth, already determined to believe the worst. Bill confesses that he and Stella had only talked about spending the night together. It had amused him to perpetuate Stella''s story - to hurt his friend Harry. Is this the truth? Stella is silent.
£7.99
Samuel French Ltd The Room
Book SynopsisRose and Bert rent a room that might almost be a paleolithic cave; the outside is terrifying and unknown. Rose never goes out, Bert only goes to drive his van with furious aggression. A young couple call, and then a blind black man. Bert comes home, massive with triumph at smashing every car that challenged his van. Finding the stranger he kicks him to death and Rose goes blind.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Black Comedy
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£11.92
Samuel French Ltd The Real Inspector Hound Acting Edition S
Book Synopsis
£12.55
Samuel French Ltd Deadline Dawn
Book SynopsisThe Middle East. In an attic room a group of terrorists hold a young girl, Naomi, and wait while the Government decides whether or not to pay the ransom. The building is surrounded by troops and there can be no escape for the kidnappers - but still they hold their prisoner. The tension between the two terrorists heightens and Brother Luis tries to intervene: inevitably, tragedy overtakes them.2 women, 2 men
£11.54
Samuel French Ltd The Fifteen Minute Hamlet
Book SynopsisFollowing his success with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, the author continues his association with Hamlet by taking the most well-known and best-loved lines from Shakespeare''s play and condensing them into a hilarious version of the play lasting approximately thirteen minutes. The miraculous feat is followed by an encore which consists of a two-minute version ofthe play! The vast multitude of characters is played by six actors with hectic doubling, and the action takes place at a shortened version of Elsinore Castle.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd The Killing of Sister George
Book SynopsisA scathing examination of the public and private lives of so-called cultural icons. Sister George is a beloved character on a popular BBC soap opera, a cheerful nurse who bicycles about the countryside singing hymns and doing good. In private life, June Buckridge the actress, is a swaggering, foul-mouthed, alcoholic lesbian in a long-term relationship with waifish Alice Childie McNaught. Due to low ratings, cut-backs and June''s own bad behavior, the BBC decides to kill Sister George on the series. A visit from Miss Mercy Croft, a no-nonsense network executive bearing the bad news sends George into meltdown, which results in Childie''s retreat to the arms of Mercy.
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Hannah and Hanna
Book SynopsisIt is 1999. Hannah is sixteen. She loves karaoke and her bloke Bullfrog; she hates her hometown of Margate and the Kosovan asylum seekers who have come to live there. Hanna is also sixteen. She loves karaoke, loves Margate - and is one of the asylum-seekers. Slowly and unexpectedly, the two become friends, Hannah being forced to face up to her prejudices. This play for two young women addresses important issues through comedy, personal drama and the uniting power of music.2 womenTrade Review"timely and significant... (the) simple staging is beautifully assured and well-crafted, particularly in its seamless knitting-together of music and action... it offers a notably sharp, thoughtful pen-portrait of new wave British fascism... finally the sheer human ordinariness of (the girls') teen friendship, set against so much hatred, is tremendously moving." Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman"
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Shirley Valentine
Book Synopsis
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Rule of Thumb
Book SynopsisThis triple bill of one act murder mysteries combines: The Wasp''s Nest which sees Hercule Poirot come between a bitter triangle of lovers to prevent a sinister murder before it takes place; The Rats, a dark and chilling tale in which a pair of adulterous lovers and themselves lured to a flat, trapped like rats and framed for murder; and finally, The Patient, a tense thriller in which a woman has been hospitalised after seemingly falling from her balcony.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd A Poirot Double Bill
Book SynopsisIn The Wasp''s Nest, Hercule Poirot''s come between a bitter triangle of lovers to prevent a sinister murder before it takes place. In Yellow Iris, a distressed phone call from a mystery woman brings Hercule Poirot to the hotel Jardin des Cygnes, where a man commemorates the four-year anniversary of his wife''s sudden death - a death under very suspicious circumstances that Poirot himself witnessed. Gathered is everyone present on that fateful night and now Poirot must and a killer in the midst, before they strike again.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd A Daughters A Daughter
Book SynopsisThe love between a mother and daughter turns to jealousy and bitterness in this intense and personal drama. Ann Prentice falls in love with Richard Caulfield and hopes for a new life and happiness. Only her daughter, Sarah, takes an instant, jealous dislike to him. Resentment slowly corrodes their relationship as each seeks comfort in the formidable and knowing Dame Laura Whitstable who remarks, The trouble with sacrifice is that once it''s made it''s not over and done with.Christie is beady-eyed and brutally honest on the psychology of the motherdaughter relationship. THE GUARDIANThe play is a revelation and its emotional intensity is at variance with most of her crime plays. This is Christie writing with her heart rather than her head. She is not concerned with clues and suspects and alibis but with human dilemmas and life choices. THE GUARDIAN
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd The Stranger
Book SynopsisA small cast, short version of an intimate psychological thriller taken from Philomel Cottage. Enid rejects her fianc? for newcomer Gerald and moves to a remote country cottage with him - where a dark and terrible climax takes place.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd The Cagebirds
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£11.92
Samuel French Ltd The Human Voice
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£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Henna Night
Book SynopsisJudith leaves her ex-boyfriend a desperate message on his answerphone saying that she is not coping with their break-up, that she has brought some razor blades and some henna in order to either slash her wrists or dye her hair and she might be pregnant. However, it is his new partner, Ros, who hears the message and it is she that rushes to Judith''s bedsit. An evening of emotion, combined with subtle humour, ensues that will conclude with the two women, despite their differences and rivalry, finding friendship and gaining something positive from each other.2 women
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Waiting for Godot
Book SynopsisWaiting for Godot has become one of the most important and enigmatic plays of the past 50 years and a cornerstone of 20th-century drama. The story revolves around two seemingly homeless men waiting for someone--or something--named Godot. The result is a comical wordplay of poetry, dreamscapes, and nonsense, which has been interpreted as mankind''s inexhaustible search for meaning.
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd The Zoo Story Acting Edition S
Book SynopsisA collection of some of Edward Albee''s earliest and most acclaimed works.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Winnie the Pooh
Book SynopsisWe are introduced to all these well-loved characters - Christopher Robin, Kanga, Roo, Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Owl, not forgetting the Bear of Very Little Brain himself, Pooh - and follow their adventures involving bees, balloons, boats and birthdays in the 100 Acre Wood.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Play
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£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Sparkleshark
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£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Chatroom
Book SynopsisCharacters: 3 males, 3 females. Scenery: A bare stageThe six teenage characters communicate only via the internet. Conversations range in subject from Britney Spears to Willy Wonka to - suicide: Jim is depressed and talks of ending his life and Eva and William decide to do their utmost to persuade him to carry out his threat. From this chilling premise is forged a funny, compelling and uplifting play that tackles the issues of teenage life head-on and with great understanding.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Blackout
Book SynopsisA short play about 'getting bullied, fighting back, trying to make a name for yourself, turning vicious, doing something stupid, losing everything, then finding your way again'.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Real Story of PussinBoots
Book SynopsisThe story of Puss in Boots is ingeniously combined with that of Cinderella in this hilarious show. Puss in Boots transforms humble Colin Miller into Prince Charming. Cinderella''s Fairy Godmother helps her to become Princess Priscilla, despite her meddling stepsisters. The two marry, providing two happy endings. Outrageous characters, a wealth of jokes and a fast-paced plot make this a hugely likeable show, which can be performed by a small cast without songs.-2 women or men
£12.80
Concord Theatricals, Ltd One to Another
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£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Our Day Out
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£12.80
Samuel French Ltd A Musical Book Music and Lyrics
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£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Appointment with Death
Book SynopsisAn assorted group of travelers are staying at a Jerusalem hotel: Lady Westholme and her companion, a young English doctor and her French colleague, a debonair American and a pugnacious Lancashire man. Another guest, Mrs. Boynton, is a domineering American invalid with four stepchildren whose facade of devotion masks enough hatred to murder her as could the doctor whose affection for Raymond Boynton is being obstructed by the old lady. When Mrs. Boynton is found dead, all are suspects even though she was ill enough to die a natural death. Just when the tension becomes unbearable, the doctor discovers essential evidence about Mrs. Boynton''s devilish plan to possess and torment the children in death as in life.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Bedroom Farce
Book SynopsisTrevor and Susannah, whose marraige is on the rocks, inflict their miseries on their nearest and dearest: three couples whose own relationships are tenuous at best. Taking place sequentially in the three beleaguered couples'' bedrooms during one endless Saturday night of co-dependence and dysfunction, beds, tempers, and domestic order are ruffled, leading all the players to a hilariously touching epiphany.
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Breezeblock Park
Book SynopsisSuperior council house dwellers Betty, Reeny, Vera and their men regard themselves as a close knit family team despite their concealed jealousies and occasional recriminations. When Betty''s daughter Sandra announces she is pregnant and intends to live unmarried with her student lover, the news explodes like an atom bomb.4 women, 5 men
£10.99
Samuel French Ltd Calendar Girls
Book SynopsisWhen Annie''s husband John dies of leukaemia, she and best friend Chris resolve to raise money for a new settee in the local hospital waiting room. They manage to persuade four fellow WI members to pose nude with them for an alternative calendar, with a little help from hospital porter and amateur photographer Lawrence. The news of the women''s charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small village of Knapeley in the Yorkshire Dales. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie''s friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame. Based on the true story of eleven WI members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund, Calendar Girls opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest selling play in British theatre history.It''s marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem. - Mail on SundayDazzlingly funny, shameleTrade Review"It's marvellous theatre, guaranteed to make you laugh, cry and come out singing Jerusalem." Mail on Sunday"
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Confusions
Book Synopsis
£11.99
Samuel French Ltd Where Do Little Birds Go
Book SynopsisThat day in the pub, the day I first saw them, they were dressed identically. Dark wool coats, smart hats. The whole pub went quiet.It''s 1966. Lucy Fuller is 18 years old. She likes musicals and make up, and her job at Winston''s Nightclub. One night Lucy is kidnapped by the Kray twins and locked in a flat with an escaped murderer. This is the terrifying story of Lucy''s time with Ronnie, Reggie, and Frank ''The Mad Axeman'' Mitchell. Where Do Little Birds Go? is a colourful and poignant tale of crime, kidnap and lost innocence in the heart of the 1960s East End.
£11.92
Samuel French Ltd Private Peaceful a Play for an Ensemble
Book SynopsisPrivate Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night, he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd One Man Two Guvnors
Book SynopsisRichard Bean''s English version of The Servant of Two Masters is set in Brighton in the 1960s. Centred on the bumbling Francis Henshall, a minder to both Roscoe Crabbe - a local gangster - and Stanley Stubbers - an upper-class criminal. But Roscoe is dead, killed by Stanley Stubbers and being impersonated by his sister Rachel, who is also Stanley''s girlfriend, and in Brighton to collect 6,000 from Roscoe''s fiancée''s dad.Chaos unfolds as Francis tries to stop the two ''guvnors'' from meeting and everyone else tries to hide their real identities. Richard Bean''s award-winning play is a glorious celebrationof British comedy: laugh-out-loud satire, songs, slapstick and glittering one-liners.One Man, Two Guvnors opened at the National Theatre in May 2011, before transferring to the West End and embarking on a successful UK tour. It won Best Play in the Evening StandardTheatre Awards 2011.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Educating Rita
Book SynopsisFrank is a tutor of English in his fifties whose disillusioned outlook on life drives him to drink and bury himself in his books. Enter Rita, a forthright 26 year-old hairdresser who is eager to learn. After weeks of cajoling, Rita slowly wins over the very hesitant Frank with her innate insight and refusal to accept no for an answer. Their relationship as teacher and student blossoms, ultimately giving Frank a new sense of self and Rita the knowledge she so craves. The play became a hit film with Michael Caine and Julie Walters.
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd Daisy Pulls it Off
Book SynopsisDaisy Meredith, the new girl, is the first scholarship student to attend the Grangewood School for Girls. The privileged students are determined to make Daisy look bad in the eyes of the administration. The administration has its own problems, financial ones. Daisy wins over her chums and saves the school when she cracks a secret code, finds a treasure and saves the life of her chief nemesis all on the same night! A long running success in London''s West End, this inventive spoof of English school girl adventure novels delights American audiences.It''s a perfectly ripping yarn. - Daily TelegraphAbsolutely spiffy, not to mention scrummy''. - Sunday Express
£12.80
Samuel French Ltd The Flint Street Nativity
Book SynopsisMizzis Horrocks'' class of seven year olds is about to perform their nativity play at Flint Street Junior School for the proud mums and dads - and the occasional social worker. Squabbles arise when Gabriel wants to play Mary, the Star grumbles he''s not a proper star like they have at NASA. And then the stick insect escapes...Trade Review"Exposes what an ungodly snake pit of paediatric power-politics the staging of your average Nativity play can be... There are moments when you may wet yourself laughing." Alfred Hickling, Guardian"
£11.99
