Search results for ""Samuel French Ltd""

Little Voice (LV) lives alone with her mother Mari, whose sole purpose in life is to find a man. When Mari's latest catch - Ray -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. This Jim Cartwright comedy, in turn savage and sentimental, was originally presented at the National and Adwhych Theatres with Jane Horrocks, Alison Steadman and Pete Postlethwaite in the starring roles.

Read more less

When 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 Women's Institute members to pose nude with them for an 'alternative' calendar. The news of the women's charitable venture spreads like wildfire, and hordes of press soon descend on the small Yorkshire village of Knapeley. The calendar is a success, but Chris and Annie's friendship is put to the test under the strain of their new-found fame. "Calendar Girls" opened at the Chichester Festival Theatre and has since become the fastest selling play in British theatre history.

Read more less

Ever wondered what else happened to Sleeping Beauty when she finally woke up in the 21st century? Alan Ayckbourn provides the answer with this alternative seasonal fare in the musical "Awaking Beauty". The Prince awakens Princess Aurora and the eager, happy young couple are about to embark on their first night of passionate love when ugly, unloved Carabosse, the wicked witch, butts in having taken a fancy to the Prince. But which one will be the Awaking Beauty? Love, lust, triplets and the ultimate in makeovers are just some of the milestones our heroes and heroines must pass before they can all live happily ever after. The four major roles are for two men and two women with six narrators playing a variety of other characters as well as providing the vocal harmonies and an astonishing range of sound effects!

Read more less

Lois Relph, a young stepmother with two stepdaughters for whom she cares deeply and her own thriving business, appears contented and in charge. But this is 1924, so does she really have control of her own money, or even her life, and what will she be able to do if things are in danger of going wrong both personally and professionally? It needs courage and determination to define what being a wife, mother and businesswoman means and it is not easy. A story whose resonance is still felt today.

Read more less

The 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...Posing as amateur musicians, Professor Marcus and his gang rent rooms in the lopsided house of sweet but strict Mrs Wilberforce. The villains plot to involve her, unwittingly, in Marcus' brilliantly conceived heist job. The police are left stumped but Mrs Wilberforce becomes wise to their ruse and Marcus concludes that there is only one way to keep the old lady quiet. With only her parrot, General Gordon, to help her, Mrs Wilberforce is alone with five desperate men. But who will be forced to face the music?

Read more less

This play can be performed with any number of characters, and with simple settings. Inspired by the true stories of a young offender from Glasgow, a 15 year old who had committed a violent crime, this short play was part of the National Theatre's "New Connections" programme which commissions plays about and for young people and was presented to critical acclaim at the Royal National Theatre. It's a hard-hitting 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'. The play can be performed as a monologue or with any number of actors and the staging can be as simple or elaborate as desired.

Read more less