A haiku, an ode, a sonnet, a limerick, an elegy ... more poetry,please.
Poetry Books
Samuel French Ltd The Mosinee Project
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Absurd Person Singular
Book SynopsisMeet three couples in their three kitchens on the Christmas Eves of three successive years. The lower class but very much up and coming Hopcrofts are in their bright new, gadget filled kitchen anxiously giving a little party for their bank manager and his wife and an architect neighbor. Next there are the architect and his wife in their neglected, untidy flat. Then the bank manager and his wife are in their large, slightly modernized, old Victorian style kitchen. Running like a dark thread through the wild comedy of behind the scenes disasters at Christmas parties is the story of the advance of the Hopcrofts to material prosperity and independence and the decline of the others. In the final stages the little man is well and truly on top, with the others, literally and unnervingly, dancing to his tune.
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd Bell Book And Candle
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Dangerous Corner
Book SynopsisRobert Caplan and his wife are entertaining her brother and sister-in-law. Because Robert insists on uncovering the truth about his brother Martin''s ''suicide'', many unpalatable revelations ensue which cause Robert to shoot himself. At this point, the opening scene is repeated, but this time they bypass the dangerous corner at which the truth is demanded, thus averting the disaster. Written in 1932 this forms one of the three ''time plays''.
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd Dial M For Murder A Play Acting Edition S
Book SynopsisTony Wendice has married his wife, Margot, for her money and now plans to murder her for the same reason. He arranges the perfect murder. He blackmails a scoundrel he used to know into strangling her for a fee of one thousand pounds, and arranges a brilliant alibi for himself. Unfortunately...the murderer gets murdered and the victim survives.-1 woman, 4 men
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd Dinner with the Family Play Acting Edition
Book SynopsisDelachume, a charming young man, is married to a rich, hysterical wife; they live in luxury in Paris, and their worldly goods are shared by Georges'' parents and his best friend Jacques, not to mention Jacques'' wife Barbara, all of whom have been in comfort for years. Then into Georges'' life comes Isabelle, a quiet young girl with a kind heart and humble upbringing. Georges succumbs to a longing for an uncomplicated life - shared, of course, with Isabelle. He spins stories for her about his family life and for one night he hires house, servants and stage parents, but his real family materalize, and Isabelle discovers the truth.-6 women, 6 men
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Hay Fever
Book SynopsisHoping for a quiet weekend in the country with some guests, David Bliss, a novelist and his wife Judith, a retired actress, find that an impossible dream when their high-spirited children Simon and Sorel appear with guests of their own. A housefull of drama waits to be ignited as misunderstandings and tempers flare. With Judith''s new flame and David''s newest literary ''inspiration'' keeping company as the children follow suit, the Bliss family lives up to its name as the ''quiet weekend'' comes to an exhausting and hilarious finale worthy of Feydeau.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Hobsons Choice
Book SynopsisThe youngest daughters of curmudgeonly bootmaker Hobson are anxious to marry and have eligible suitors who must wait until eldest daughter, practical-minded Maggie is promised in marriage. Maggie, however has other plans which include freedom from her father''s tyranny, a business and husband of her own. Her choice: Hobson''s shy apprentice Will Mossop.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Malade Imaginaire
Book SynopsisTo reduce his medical fees, hypochondriac M. Argan decides to marry off his daughter Angelica to a physician''s son. Unfortunately, Angelica loves Cl?ante. Argan''s brother B?ralde and Toinette, an inventive maid, save the situation for the lovers and expose Mme Argan''s schemes to bleed her husband of his fortune. Then they persuade the hypochondriac to turn physician so that he can quack himself free of charge.4 women, 8 men
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Juno and the Paycock
Book SynopsisThe most famous play by this remarkable Irish dramatist. Juno and the Paycock has been produced throughout the world and offers a compelling look at the family conflicts of struggling Irish matriarch Juno Boyle''s Herculean attempts to keep her children safe and her husband Captain Jack Boyle sober despite his foolish schemes and the ongoing troubles in early 20th century Dublin.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Flies
Book SynopsisA disobedient cultural response to a very well-known story: the male gaze.Award-winning writer Charlie Josephine (I, Joan, The Globe) radically responds to William Golding''s classic Lord of the Flies in their newpiece Flies - A powerful and contemporary allegory on consent and the fetishisation of the female body.This new show explodes with tales of girlhood, and the messy joy and sticky shame that come with it. Written from young women''s real experiencesexpect raw honesty, humour, and sweaty dance.#WhatAreYouLookingAt
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd A Voyage Round My Father
Book SynopsisMortimer is best known for Rumpole of the Bailey stories and film script Tea with Mussolini.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Road
Book SynopsisUnder the guidance of the rum-soaked wideboy Scullery, we are taken on an evening''s tour of a scruffy, depressed road in a small Lancashire town. Moving from street corner to living room, from bedroom to kitchen, we meet the inhabitants of young, middle-aged, and old, glimpsing their socially and emotionally wretched lives, in this sharp, sad, funny, and angry play.
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd Blue Remembered Hills
Book SynopsisThis deceptively simple tale relates the activities of seven English children played by adults on a summer afternoon during World War II. In a woods, a field and a barn, they play, fight, fantasize and swagger. Their aggressions, fears, hostilities and rivalries are a microcosm of adult interaction. Easy going Willie tags along as burly Peter bullies Raymond and is challenged by fair minded Paul. Plain Audrey is overshadowed by Angela''s prettiness and wreaks her anger on the boys. All of them gang up on the terrified Donald Duck who, abused by his mother and ridiculed by his peers, plays a dangerous game of pyromania with tragic results.
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd Fanshen
Book SynopsisIn vividly dramatic form, this play tells how a remote Chinese village comes to terms with Communism. Every revolution creates new words. The Chinese revolution created a whole new vocabulary in which a very important word is fanshen which literally means to turn the body or to turn over. To hundreds of millions of landless and poor peasants it means to stand up, throw off the landlords'' yoke, and gain land, stock, and houses. Moreover it means to enter a new world and this play is the story of how the peasants of Long Bow build a new world.2 women, 7 men
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Corn is Green
Book SynopsisMiss Moffat settles in a remote Welsh mining village and starts a school for the local boys, one of whom, Morgan Evans, shows great promise. Miss Moffat determin''s to do everything to help Morgan''s application for a scholarship to Oxford. But Morgan rebels against help from a woman and falls prey to the flashy charms of Bessie Watty. His chances of success are almost destroyed but Miss Moffat''s courageous wisdom and her affection for him win the day and Morgan wins the scholarship.5 women, 10 men
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd Dancing at Lughnasa
Book Synopsis
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Final Twist
Book SynopsisCharlie Nicholson has writer''s block, but when he is offered a commission he sees a way to escape his debts. Merlin Foster, an actor, has specific needs: Charlie''s script must contain the perfect method and alibi for the murder of Merlin''s wife, only then can it be theatrically convincing. Eden, Merlin''s young wife, is to remain in the dark so he can''t surprise her with the play... A murderous and surprising tale.1 woman, 2 men, 1 woman or man
£13.49
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
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Black Comedy
Book Synopsis
£999.99
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.
£999.99
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"
£12.55
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.
£999.99
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
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Cagebirds
Book Synopsis
£12.55
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.
£14.42
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.
£12.55
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
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Fings Aint Wot They Used tbe
Book SynopsisFred Cochran, the hero, is a down-at-heel gangster, trying to make a comeback. Lil Smith is his loyal moll, a tart with a heart of gold, who longs for respectability and keeps a marriage licence ready for her lucky day. Fred''s shpieler (gambling den) provides a refuge for the failures of the underworld: Paddy the gambler, Tosher the ponce with his girls Betty and Rosey, and Redhot, a sad little burglar who never manages to get warm. They all look to Fred for a living and when he wins on the horses it seems the gang may be back in business.4 women, 9 men
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd A Musical Book Music and Lyrics
Book Synopsis
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd Good Wives
Book SynopsisAfter the success of Little Women, Louisa M. Alcott responded to demand for a sequel by writing Good Wives which continues to chart the lives of Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy.- 3 women, 9 men
£13.49
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
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Picture of Dorian Gray
Book SynopsisSet in the decadent world of Victorian London, a beautiful young man called Dorian Gray becomes infatuated by the exquisite portrait that Basil Hallward has painted of him. He makes a Faustian pact that the picture will grow old while he remains forever young. Oscar Wilde''s only novel caused an immediate scandal when it was first published in 1890 and its themes of youth and decay, innocence and corruption, art and reality are even more relevant to us in the 21st century than in the 19th. Adapted by Wilde''s grandson Merlin Holland and John O''Connor, this delightfully witty version of Wilde''s story incorporates material suppressed from the original manuscript.
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd The Ladykillers
Book SynopsisThe Ladykillers is a classic black comedy; a sweet little old lady, alone in her house, is pitted against a gang of criminal misfits who will stop at nothing...
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd Death and the Maiden
Book Synopsis
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd Pardon Me Prime Minister
Book SynopsisThe Prime Minister and Chancellor are preparing a puritanical budget taxing amusements such as bingo, gambling and night-clubs out of existence. On the afternoon before its presentation, however, each in turn appears to be the father of the pretty Shirley, the result of a post-party conference night many years ago. In an even less expected family bombshell, it transpires that the Prime Minister''s deferential Parliamentary Private Secretary, Campbell, is, in fact, his son...5 women, 4 men
£10.44
Samuel French Ltd A Bunch of Amateurs
Book SynopsisKeen to boost his flagging career, fading Hollywood action hero Jefferson Steele arrives in England to play King Lear in Stratford – only to find that this is not the birthplace of the Bard, but a sleepy Suffolk village. And instead of Kenneth Branagh and Dame Judi Dench, the cast are a bunch of amateurs trying to save their theatre from developers. Jefferson’s monstrous ego, vanity and insecurity are tested to the limit by the enthusiastic am-dram thespians. As acting worlds collide and Jefferson’s career implodes, he discovers some truths about himself – along with his inner Lear!“terrific comedy packed with killer comic dialogue... plenty of twists and turns” ***** Whatsonstage“Deliciously stuffed with Shakespeare...a laugh-a-minute” **** Mail on Sunday
£14.42
Samuel French Ltd When the Reaper Calls
Book SynopsisVictor and Harlan are two young philosophy professors who have been friends, rivals and inveterate pranksters since their student days, but things have changed: Victor has turned into a wild hedonist in keeping with his belief that when you''re dead, you''re dead, while Harlan has become a dull Stoic leading a strict unemotional existence in preparation for the afterlife. They are on holiday with their long-suffering wives in the Canadian wilderness, and Victor has devised a prank which he believes will prove the falseness of Harlan''s philosophy and shake him out of his passionless state -- but the prank goes horribly wrong. After a heated argument a shot is fired, and one of the professors lies dead! This is far from the end of the story however; in fact, the nightmare is just beginning ... With When the Reaper Calls, the author of I''ll Be Back Before Midnight has done it again, concocting a highly entertaining, scary tale that will keep audiences laughing, gaspTrade Review"... a unique blend of chilling suspense and riotous humour... " Stratford Beacon-Herald "... a top-notch comedy-thriller with razor-sharp dialogue... " The Independent " An uplifting piece that has it all... " Standard-Freeholder"
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Three Days in the Country
Book SynopsisPatrick Marber''s Three Days in the Country premiered at the National Theatre, London, in July 2015.
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd God of Carnage
Book SynopsisWhat happens when two sets of parent''s meet up to deal with the unruly behaviour of their children? A calm and rational debate between grown-ups about the need to teach kids how to behave properly? Or a hysterical night of name-calling, tantrums and tears before bedtime? Boys will be boys, but the adults are usually worse - much worse. God of Carnage won the Olivier Award for Best Comedy and the Tony award for Best Play.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Electrolyte
Book SynopsisWritten in spoken word poetry and underscored entirely by original music created live, Electrolyte is an explosive piece of gig-theatre exploring grief, depression and psychosis.
£10.44
Samuel French Ltd Bright Shadow
Book SynopsisThe retired Colonel, his niece Lesley, and his friend the Major - a retired army medical officer - are living, to all intents and purposes, a happy, quiet life together in the Colonel's country home. The play opens as they are having tea with a close friend of the Colonel's daughter, Diana, who died apparently from an overdose of drugs three years previously. The Colonel has not recovered from the shock and believes his daughter is away for a time. They are disturbed by the arrival of a stranger who is investigating Diana's death and the tranquillity begins to unravel.3 women, 5 men
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Scandalous Affair of MR Kettle and Mrs Moon
Book SynopsisOn his way to work at the bank one morning, the manager Mr Kettle freaks out. He goes back home changes into his casual clothes and sets about enjoying himself. No one apart from Mrs Kettle can understand him and why he is behaving in this way. Mrs Kettle joins him in his rebellion. The bank officials employ a doctor to hypnotise Mr Kettle and get him back to his former self.-3 women, 6 men
£10.44
Samuel French Ltd How Not To Drown
Book SynopsisHow Not To Drown was first performed on 4 August 2019 at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh.I don''t know why my Dad let me go... I was too young, too weak, to make this journey. I wouldn''t have sent me... He wouldn''t have sent me unless there was a reason.In 2002, in the turmoil after the end of the Kosovan War, Dritan is sent on the notoriously perilous journey across the Adriatic with a gang of people smugglers to a new life in Europe. He relies on his young wit and charm to make it to the UK. But the fight for survival continues as he clings to his identity and sense of self when he ends up in the British care system.Painful yet uplifting, How Not to Drown shares a story of endurance for a little kid who wasn''t safe or welcome anywhere in the world.Award-winning theatre company ThickSkin (Chalk Farm, The Static) returns to the stage with an action packed, highly visual production.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd Lifeboat
Book SynopsisWinner! TMA/Barclays Equity Award for Best Show for Children and Young People 2002. Tuesday 17 September 1940: two fifteen-year-old child evacuees, Bess Walder and Beth Cummings, are fast asleep on board a steam passage ship, The City of Benares, sailing away from World War Two torn Britain and relentless German bombing. Just before midnight they are violently awoken when the ship is hit by a German torpedo and starts to sink. Bess and Beth join the stampede to the lifeboats. Then begins their desperate battle to survive, clinging on to an upturned lifeboat for a night and a day, in the icy waters of the North Atlantic. Out of ninety children on board The City of Benares, Bess and Beth were among only a few who survived. Based on an extraordinary true story, Lifeboat is a tale of courage in the face of overwhelming danger, lifelong friendship and the will to survive.
£13.49
Samuel French Ltd The Secret of Chimneys
Book SynopsisThe council chambers at Chimneys, the Brent family estate, holds a dark and intriguing secret and someone will stop at nothing to prevent the monarchy being restored in faraway Herzoslovakia.A young drifter finds more than he bargained for when he agrees to deliver a parcel to an English country estate. Little did Anthony Cade suspect that a simple errand on behalf of a friend would make him the centrepiece of a murderous international conspiracy. A sinister plot rife with diamonds, oil concessions, exiled royalty, an elusive master criminal and the combined forces of Scotland Yard and the French S?ret?.There is more than murder in this story; there is a treasure hunt in it, not for gold but a diamond, and the story is suitably staged for the main part at Chimneys, that historic mansion whose secret will be found. TIMES LITERARY SUPPLEMENT
£999.99
Samuel French Ltd Dont Blame it on the Boots
Book SynopsisNo one would have blamed it on the boots if only Kate had produced Macbeth instead of Hamlet or Ophelia hadn''t been so attractive and naive or Eric had smaller feet and wasn''t the drama group''s prize flirt or Liz''s father hadn''t been an actor who once trod the boards at Stratford in those self same boots.3 women, 1 man
£12.55
Samuel French Ltd Not Bobby A Play
Book SynopsisAnxious to complete yesterday''s newspaper crossword, Frank finds the page missing. His mother, Pam, confesses to using it in the newly acquired rabbit''s cage. Extracting the page Frank is astonished to find the crossword is now complete. Could the rabbit, Bobby, be responsible...?4 women, 1 man
£9.99
