Plays, playscripts, drama

Book SynopsisPart of the Bristol Classical Press series of Spanish texts, this is Buero Vallejo's play "El Tragaluz". The series is designed to meet the needs of the fast-growing A Level and undergraduate market for texts in the Spanish language. Each text comes with English notes and vocabulary, and with an introduction by an editor with an expert knowledge both of the work and of its literary and cultural context. Set in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, this play occupies an important place in Buero Vallejo's theatre incorporating earlier metaphysical preoccupations with a later historical and political dimension.

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Book SynopsisA critical edition of Racine's "Phedre". The introduction examines the central facets of the play's enduring capacity to move and disturb its audience and readers, and includes a survey of 20th century productions. There is a section on versification and language, and a glossary is included.

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Book SynopsisFrank R. Merrill was Professor of Latin and Greek at Washington & Jefferson College, Washington, USA

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Book Synopsis'Bookworms' is centred around an all-female book club and their decision to allow men join them for a change when they invite their husbands to join them one evening. Their daily lives spill over into the opinions of the book, suspicions are roused and it sounds like all hell might just break loose! In particular Larry, an out-of-work builder, and Robert, a banker, are struggling. Farrell is an incredibly accomplished writer. He’s won the Rooney Prize for Irish Literature, The Sunday Tribune Comedy of the Year Award, the Best Irish Production Award in the 1996 Dublin Theatre Festival and, in 1998, Kevin’s Bed was nominated as best Irish Play in the Irish Times/ESB Theatre Awards. He is a member of Aosdána, was Writer-in-Association with the Abbey Theatre and from 1997 to 2004, served on the Board of Directors of the Abbey Theatre and this is his twenty first stage play, his eleventh to debut on the Abbey stage.

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Book SynopsisIncludes the plays The Soldiers, The New Menoza, The TutorIntroduction by Nicholas Dromgoole. Published to coincide with performances at the Edinburgh International Festival. Three forward-looking plays that question the abuse of privilege, attitudes to women and the values of the theatre by Goethe's protegé, Jacob Lenz.

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Book SynopsisThe second volume in a series that presents plays by Sweden's greatest living playwright in English

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Book SynopsisPsychiatrist and neurologist, Viktor E. Frankl, was the founder of Logotherapy, the third Viennese school of psychiatry, concerned with helping people find meaning in their lives. "Meaning" is a biography in play form. Using many of his own words, the play focuses on key moments in Frankl's life: it explores his experiences in a Nazi concentration camp, his development of Logotherapy and his insights into the human condition. His book "Man's Search for Meaning" has influenced millions of people worldwide. Richly illustrated with photographs of Frankl's life and times, including both painful images of imprisonment in the camps and joyful family portraits, "Meaning" presents this extraordinary man's life in a dramatic and readable style. It will appeal to those familiar with Frankl's work, and inspire new readers to learn more about this remarkable man and his contribution to the cause of humanity. "'Meaning' brings Frankl to life in full dimension - his spirit, determination, wisdom, and integrity." - Jeffrey K. Zeig PhD, Director, The Milton H. Erickson Foundation.Trade Review"Meaning brings Frankl to life in full dimension--his spirit, determination, wisdom, and integrity."

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Book SynopsisThe Renegado is one of the most shamelessly entertaining plays of its age, fetching its inspiration from a number of works by Cervantes, based on his own experiences as a captive in Algiers. Introducing the eroticized captivity narrative to the English stage, Massinger's tragicomedy combines it with the long-popular romance motif of a Christian hero's conquest of an exotic princess. But even as it indulges in romantic fantasy, The Renegado engages with contentious issues of national and international politics, offering a provocative response to the sectarian feuds dividing England in the 1620s, while exploiting wider European fears of the expansionist Muslim empire of the Ottomans. Through its treatment of religious confrontation and conversion, Massinger's play offers important insights into early modern constructions of the Islamic world, and emerges as a piece with unexpected resonances for our own time.Trade Review‘Fascinating reading' * Times Literary Supplement, June 2010, on the Arden Early Modern Drama series *

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Book SynopsisA South African journalist, Karen Strydom, is in hiding in the little Indian township of Reoca, in the house once occupied by former journalist and anti-Apartheid activist, Seema Sewlal. Having witnessed the murder of a well-known political donor by successful businessman Paul Sibisi, Karen knows her life is in danger if she tries to publish her account of the incident. That’s not her only challenge – the ghost of Seema Sewlal has appeared – and she’s unwilling to believe that she is dead. With corruption on all sides, how will Karen survive to tell the truth, and who can she trust?Trade ReviewartSMart: FREE-FALL FROM ASHWIN SINGH "... a chase thriller with a paranormal element and also explores important themes in contemporary South Africa like endemic corruption, a culture of violence, freedom of the press and protection for whistle-blowers...."

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Book SynopsisSome say the streets of New York City are paved with gold, full of wealth and opportunity. In 1911, five young immigrant women search for their promise of the American Dream while working at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. But battling poverty and dangerous working conditions, can they keep their dreams alive? Or will it all turn to ashes?Trade Review***** “Thurston’s writing provides an unflinching mirror to today.” – Broadway Baby; ***** “This is a beautiful piece of storytelling.” – Plays To See; ***** “As the audience left this impressive production, I could hear some of them talking about Grenfell, reminding us how little things have changed in over a hundred years.” – British Theatre GuideTable of ContentsAuthor biography Theatre company information and actor biographies Author preface to the play Playtext

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Book SynopsisNow reprinted, this revealing autobiography includes a prologue and epilogue written by two of the author's sons, Leeroy and Peter, who have pieced together more of this poignant love and life story. Nora's father, as Director General of the Soviet Foreign Office based in Moscow, is purged by Stalin, leaving his young daughter without kith or kin. The State forces her to meet up with diplomats and foreigners to report back with any information on their activities. One of her targets is John Murray, a cypher (code writer/decoder) at the British Embassy in Moscow. However, by falling in love with him she is classified as a traitor, arrested and imprisoned. John achieves her release by Stalin. In 1939, John and others of the Embassy staff are evacuated when the German army enters Moscow's suburbs. He is sent to Archangel, leaving Nora alone in his John's embassy quarters. With only forged papers, she begins a terrifying 1,000 kilometer journey to the desolate wastes of the Arctic port to bid farewell to John. Instead, they decide to marry; this and their eventual escape to safety and happiness in England shapes a thrilling climax to this true story.Trade ReviewTimes Literary Supplement: The real story is in the simple, graphic and almost entirely persuasive account of her observations as a member of a highly privileged caste in Soviet society. Oxford Mail: A woman of infinite ingenuity, persistence and great courage. The book would make an admirable film on the lines of "Odette". Yorkshire Observer: As a work of fiction one would have regarded it as highly exciting and admirably constructed. Yet, astonishingly, every word is true. Yorkshire Evening Press: How she fell in love and married the man she was forced to spy on is admirably told, but nothing could be more thrilling than her ultimate escape from the secret police. Yorkshire Post: Told with a simplicity that carries conviction, and with a narrative skill that makes it as absorbing as any novel. Aberdeen Express: A remarkable story of personal courage. The revelations are grim and often terrifying. Birmingham Gazette: A curious story, dramatic, moving and always interesting. Cambridge Daily News: A curious human story. Good Housekeeper: Told without melodrama or hysterics and indeed with a calmness and sympathy that is surprising. The story is of an immensely courageous woman.

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Book Synopsis* First collection of full-length plays from British East Asian playwrights * Ideal for schools, colleges and theatre companies * In association with a conference at Tara Theatre and Goldsmiths University in Spring 2018 A landmark collection of contemporary full-length plays by British East Asian writers. Exploring subjects such as cultural identity, the fragmentation of communities, tradition, invisibility and discrimination, these plays are ideal to perform. With an introduction by academics Dr Amanda Rogers and Dr Ashley Thorpe, which sets the plays into context and explores the hidden history of theatre from the BEA community. BOUND FEET BLUES by Yang-May Ooi THE LAST DAYS OF LIMEHOUSE by Jeremy Tiang JAMAICA BOY by Stephen Hoo CONVERSATIONS WITH MY UNKNOWN MOTHER by Lucy Chau Lai-Tuen SPECIAL OCCASIONS by Amy Ng TANGO by Joel Tan THE FU MANCHU COMPLEX by Daniel York LohTrade Review"Ooi has some unsettling examples of how, even today in the West, daintiness in a woman is often celebrated and a `beauty is pain' culture still exists."-The Stage; "The Last Days of Limehouse is a finely balanced, well-written and superbly acted play that's well worth seeing." **** - everything theatre; "Joel Tan balances the drama beautifully in a pithy, pacy and elegant script ... tenderly stripping away layer upon layer of hypocrisy while leaving hard truths that stick in the craw.."-The Straits Times; "...a devilishly ironic spin on Sax Rohmer's classic novel that will leave you in hysterics...wildly satirical and steeped in sexual innuendo... the atmosphere created on stage is alluring." - The UpcomingTable of ContentsIntroduction Author biographies Prefaces to the plays Playtexts

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Book SynopsisTo coincide with a tour of the play in 2018-19 • Play about Ada Lovelace, the first computer and AI today • Suitable for schools, colleges and youth groups. • Offers good roles for girls/women to perform relating to STEM subjectsTrade ReviewPraise for other works “★★★★ …a story of human emotions, which will strike a chord with any viewer…a dark, stark story that takes you to another world. It is a perfect showcase for brilliant acting for there is no place for error.” London Theatre “….Holyoake’s extraordinary play is spare, uncluttered and unadorned. Its directness is deceptive, creating an immediacy and empathy which powers the drama. One of the impressive aspects of the play is what is left unsaid and unexplained, an object lesson in economical writing…” John Foster “….the play has tapped into contemporary issues surrounding technology and the distance it places between people…” Express and EchoTable of ContentsAuthor biography Introduction Ada play

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Book SynopsisFreshers' term. Greg has taken to university like a duck to water. Kasper is struggling to fit in. Summoned to a mediation session with Kasper and the college welfare officer to discuss an accusation of plagiarism, Greg deftly argues his way out of trouble. But when the allegations evolve into something altogether more damaging, how long can Greg remain untouchable? Gentlemen examines what happens when culture turns toxic, and how fear of not fitting in risks everyone losing out.Trade Review"A fascinating and highly recommended play." --Graham Archer "West End Wilma" "Prickly tension ... Parvin knows how to rhythm a play."--Michael Billington "The Guardian" "Taut, cruelly funny and crammed with quirky detail."--Sam Marlowe "The Times"

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Book Synopsis1995: Brightlingsea, a small port in rural Essex. Two women, Alice and Linda, wake up to find lorries thundering through their town, carrying live animals in horrendous conditions for export. Although from very different worlds, the pair unite to try to stop the lorries. They become unlikely friends, facing arrest and police brutality amidst the protests, while also dealing with the pressures of motherhood. When one of their group dies, things start to unravel, as they are forced to face the differences between them. Timely and lyrical, Humane is a play about activism, friendship and motherhood and the values that unite and divide us.Trade Review'A rich experience... with obdurate humanity.' - thespyinthestalls; ' ... joyful and defiant.' - The Scotsman; "An interesting piece reminding us to consider the inhumanity of live animal export trading that still takes place, and indeed perhaps our farming practices as a country." - Drama and Theatre;

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Book SynopsisPrincess, poet, pacifist ... and World War II spy. The enigmatic, indefinable Noor Inayat Khan was an unlikely recruit to the SOE as an undercover wireless operator. How did she face off fascism with such courage and resilience and evade capture longer than any of her counterparts? Noor's moving and inspirational story takes us across borders and time into a shadowy world of espionage, as British officer Vera Atkins and Gestapo Major Hans Kieffer trade secrets to uncover the woman behind the code names. From her Sufi mysticism to her astonishing creativity, Noor's individuality was ultimately her greatest strength. Reviews of previous work: "... an incredible new voice; witty and wise." - Adele Parks "...some of the best, cutting edge Asian theatre." - The Herald, ScotlandTrade Review“A stylish, noirish retelling of a story so genuinely extraordinary you could not have made it up.” – The Times; “… compelling story of wartime spy Noor Inayat Khan.” – The Guardian; "... an incredible new voice; witty and wise." – Adele Parks; "...some of the best, cutting edge Asian theatre." – The Herald Scotland

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Book SynopsisAcclaimed one-woman play with music that weaves the life and writing of Virginia Woolf with songs by British women composers who were Woolf's contemporaries. It reveals Virginia's troubled childhood, her views on literature, the Bloomsbury group and the challenges women artists face.

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Book SynopsisA grime-theatre mash-up. Too black for my white friends, but too white for my Black friends. Growing up mixed race in Newport, I fell into a cloud of grey. Absent Black father, ducking the police, working out what it means to be a man. I was struggling to find my place in the world and in danger of spiralling out of control. Then one moment changed my life. Created from grime culture and inspired by Dizzee Rascal, Wiley, Skepta and Kano, The Making of a Monster is Connor's story. Reviews: "Connor Allen's startling grime-theatre mash-up is as emotionally raw as it is playful and imaginative" - The Stage "Honest...funny and tender" - South Wales Life "Astoundingly raw" - Wales Theatre Review "One of the best things I've watched all year" - Aleighcia Scott, singer "Connor is not only annoyingly talented. He is the thing that most writers try and fail to be: Absolutely genuine." - Bryony Kimmings, performance artist "Connor Allen is one of the most generous, gracious souls I've ever been lucky enough to meet. The story of how he came through tough times to become the man he is today will be an inspiration to ever" - Gary Owen, writerTrade Review"Connor Allen's startling grime-theatre mash-up is as emotionally raw as it is playful and imaginative" - The Stage; "Honest...funny and tender" - South Wales Life; "Astoundingly raw" - Wales Theatre Review; "One of the best things I've watched all year" - Aleighcia Scott, singer; "Connor is not only annoyingly talented. He is the thing that most writers try and fail to be: Absolutely genuine." - Bryony Kimmings, performance artist; "Connor Allen is one of the most generous, gracious souls I've ever been lucky enough to meet. The story of how he came through tough times to become the man he is today will be an inspiration to everyone."- Gary Owen, writer

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