Bøger udgivet af Samuel French Ltd

Him and Her courted back in the 1940s, but lost contact for thirty years. Reunited as members of the Evergreens Club for the elderly, they must re-learn to accept their differences.

Lotus Beauty follows the intertwined lives of five multigenerational women, inviting us into Reita's salon where clients can wax lyrical about their day's tiny successes or have their struggles massaged, plucked or tweezed away. But with honest truths and sharp-witted barbs high among the treatments on offer, will the power of community be enough to raise the spirits of everyone who passes through the salon doors?

A window dresser has the bright idea of utilizing a special sun lamp in the display window which contains two female dummies and a male dummy, Waldorf. The lamp's rays have fantastic properties and turn Waldrof into a beguiling young man and later turn Hathaway, the store's unpopular owner, into a dummy. Waldorf revolutionizes the store by throwing a free champagne party. He also thoroughly enjoys himself with the adoring female staff. His human life is short, if exceedingly merry, while Hathaway's enforced sojourn in the display window has taught him a few lessons.

Jane Austen pits her wit and will against her greatest adversary and ally-Elizabeth Bennet. Heady with her first taste of love, Jane aged 20 creates Elizabeth with Mr Darcy taking on the role of her arch enemy and reluctant admirer. But when her actual romance sours, she sentences Elizabeth to marry the odious Mr Collins and herself to an equally disastrous marriage. The fates of the author, the novel and its heroine are at stake. Elizabeth Bennet must take action.

Since the death of her trawlerman husband 30 years ago, Margaret Harvey has lived with her daughter Rebecca in a small cottage in a coastal town. Rebecca is moving out to live with her boyfriend, so when she meets Milton Farnsworth, an American visiting the area to paint the landscape, she invites him to lodge with Margaret during his stay. Margaret has become increasingly set in her ways over the years, dependent on ritual and superstition, but with patience, humour, and cheap wine, Milton gradually encourages her to relinquish her hold on control. Warm, funny and moving, A Fine Bright Day Today explores love in later life."Philip Goulding's play is an enticing piece of understated but effective writing. Leaves you with an optimistic sense that everyone deserves a second chance at happiness." Guardian "Love in middle age can be tricky. In A Fine Bright Day Today Philip Goulding has created a touching new take on the fears and joys of new relationships, and all the risks that seeking the unknown can bring." Manchester Evening News "Philip Goulding's poignant, compelling three-hander is an enigmatic love story. Kevin Shaw's taut direction brings out all its quirky vitality and extraordinarily powerful evocations." The StageIt was performed at the Oldham Coliseum in June 2011 and the New Vic, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, in July 2012.

Desires are suppressed and aspirations thwarted for both the staff and patients of a psychiatric ward. Orderly Oliver pines for Margaret Thatcher. Dr Rupert wants Nurse Whitehall who wants Dr Rupert. But Dr Rupert and his wife are trying for a baby and Nurse Whitehall who is also married has just returned from maternity leave. As for the patients, Duncan secretly loves Anna who secretly loves Martin who openly loves no one. Both a love story and a modern allegory of the state, Picture Ourselves in Latvia confronts the impossibility of categorising people as either sane or insane.

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

The key to a bold and original approach to the mission, arrest, trial and death of Jesus is the title; Son of Man. He is portrayed as a man agonized by the feeling of divinity within him, and with all a man's capacity for suffering and pain. "Father, let me be just a man," he cries; and, to his disciples. "He (Son of Man) cannot be other than a man, or else God has cheated-- and so my Father in Heaven will abandon me to myself." The play also strongly reflects the historical and political situation in which the events occur-- and examines in a new light the character and motives of Judas Iscariot.-3 women, 27 men

Genre: Drama Characters: 6 males, 2 females Scenery: Interior For the mere sake of adventure, danger, and the "fun of the thing," Wyndham Brandon persuades his weak minded friend, Charles Granillo, to assist him in the murder of a fellow undergraduate, a perfectly harmless man named Ronald Raglan. They place the body in a wooden chest, and to add spice to their handiwork, invite a few acquaintances, including the dead youth's father, to a party, the chest with its gruesome contents serving as a supper table. The horror and tension are worked up gradually; thunder grows outside, the guests leave, and we see the reactions of the two murderers, watched closely by the suspecting lame poet, Rupert Cadell. Finally they break down under the strain and confess their guilt.

Clayton James, a 17-year-old Nottingham lad, dreams of becoming the next Viv Anderson. With a prodigious talent, the offer of a professional contract at a First Division club and a growing romance with girlfriend Serena, he appears to have the world at his feet.But life in the late 70s isn't easy for Clayton and his family, trying to make it in an era of racism and hooliganism. And Clayton's steelworker dad Patterson faces an uncertain future as the Thatcher government faces off against the unions.When his charismatic and powerful former coach, Lafferty, returns after four years away, Clayton is forced to confront painful memories of the past. Can he protect his loved ones from the truth of what he endured?A world premiere, inspired by the recent football abuse scandals, First Touch is a gripping and heartfelt drama about what it takes to fulfil your dreams, by screenwriter Nathaniel Price (BBC's Noughts and Crosses and Sky's Tin Star).

After fifteen years of marriage, Daniel and Sylvia find themselves drifting further apart with each passing day. Until one morning, they find themselves abruptly united by every parent¿s worst nightmare¿The shoes have been polished, the vases are full and the phone is ringing off the hook, but there¿s one thing they¿re still missing¿answers. Forced into a confrontation, years of resentment and things long left unsaid rise to the surface as they question the circumstances that brought them to this point, and what happens to your relationship when the only thing holding you together, threatens to tear you apart.A timely spotlight on love and loss, Til Death Do Us Part is the debut play of Safaa Benson-Effiom, and was a finalist in the 2020 Theatre503 International Playwriting Award and Soho Theatre¿s 2019 Tony Craze award. Originally presented as a Theatre503 and Darcy Dobson Productions coproduction.

There isn't a jollier show anywhere than this musical version of The Pickwick Papers.

Max Telligan, a popular novelist, has returned to his London apartment from a business trip to Munich to find his evening newspaper containing a report of his violent death. He subsequently is greeted by a parade of mysterious visitors who seek a pocket sized calculator, threaten him with a poison tipped walking stick and display photographs of his wife in flagrante delicto. Max has, it seems, unwittingly become embroiled in the activities of an international terrorist group!5 women, 5 men

Murder and mystery abound in this ingenious play with more than its fair share of blind alleys. A greedy husband plots to kill his wife and make it look like suicide. His plans are thwarted: he, not his wife, ends up dead. But how and by whom? Even though the investigation led by Cliff Jordan concludes Jack was murdered by a prowler, there are so many possible suspects and motives that the truth is elusive.4 women, 6 men

Meet Carey and Simon, an otherwise-perfect married couple with a bit of a swearing problem. They're determined to kick the habit by the time their baby is born. Too bad that's not their only problem. Simon has a secret. And Carey has a new friend - a musician named Owen that she met at a bookstore. With quirky characters, music and gentle humor, this lovely and intricately-constructed story is about meeting challenges head-on and finding hope."Intricate, delicate construction... Hewlett spins an emotionally epic story about a woman caught between two men, as well as her own inability to cope with life's gains and losses." - Matthew Murray, Talkin' Broadway"A pleasure to see... Hewlett's writing has a gentle wittiness... With an exquisitely light touch, Hewlett creates snapshots of the happy lives of Carey and her husband, Simon, moving seamlessly between present day and three years before." - Backstage"Some of the play's best moments are the songs Ms. Hewlett sings, describing the depths of Carey's devotion to Simon." - The New York Times

See that's the problem with this family innit, we never wanna talk real about Ife.'In the wake of the sudden death of their eldest son, Ife, one family is forced to confront the traumas they've long tried to bury. As the sun beats down on their cramped North London flat, and the head of the family arrives from Ethiopia for the funeral, tensions rise, cultures clash and past betrayals are unearthed.A tense, funny and explosive drama exploring what it means to belong, and what happens when a family's secrets shake its foundations. House of Ife premiered at the Bush Theatre, London, in April 2022, directed by Artistic Director Lynette Linton.

This is a comedy of prosperous suburbia, with corruption as its theme and core. A charming, apparently happily married couple, the Actons, live comfortably in their newly-furnished home, but feeling always that life owes thein just a little more: a car, an expensive lawnmower, money for parties and so on. Temptation comes in the shape of Leonie Pimosz, a very high class brothel-keeper. It is not long before pretty, sweet Mrs Acton becomes involved with her and the Acton fortunes are startlingly improved. Soon it becomes clear that Mrs Acton's new career is by no means unusual; indeed, the wives of all their friends are acquainted with Madame Pimosz, and the husbands are quite content to keep up with the Joneses in this as in everything else. But the denoument is startling and horrific.

From the nationally recognized Educational Theatre Association's 2021 Thespy Playwriting competition (formerly Thespian Playworks) come three short scripts - all created by high school-aged playwrights! This volume includes: The Plant Crusade by Aubrey LuseOakland by Bridget PhillipsReverie by Jacki Vellandi

A moving, mysterious, at times hilarious story of a tiny plot of land and some people with grand and incompatible designs on it.

Terri and Brian Cody are hoping to sell their "One Star Hotel" in the Florida Keys, to the only man who has expressed any interest in buying it, a Mr. Sam Lewis from New York. They are not expecting him for a couple of weeks, and are rather caught off-guard when they receive a phone call informing them that he flew into Miami today, is driving down, and will be arriving this afternoon. Unfortunately, they have so few guests they are afraid that Mr. Lewis will see at once, that the hotel is a bad investment. You can see where this is leading...it is a farce after all...So, in order to bolster Mr. Lewis's interest, Terri and Brian devise a plan to make the hotel appear busier and more prosperous than it actually is. Their staff will masquerade as paying guests, thereby, giving Mr. Lewis the impression that the hotel is overflowing with loyal customers and vacationers. Their plan has one hitch, their entire staff consists of a maintenance man named Hopkins and a sexy housemaid named Maureen. They plan to tell Mr. Lewis that Mrs. Cody is shopping in Miami, while she plays the role of a wealthy Palm Beach socialite, Mrs. Winthrop-Smythe. Hopkins is to become the Reverend Hopkins, and Maureen is to combine the duties of receptionist, maid and room service. The plot becomes more complicated when the one paying guest they do have, Major Ponsenby, wants to help out. Suddenly, an Arab sheik, Abdul El Hajj, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the Major, checks into the hotel, stating he is a potential buyer. Their scatterbrained maid, Maureen, is totally inept at the job she's been asked to do, and can't seem to remain completely clothed for more than five minutes at a time. It turns out Hopkins has a propensity to drink, and has bottles of booze hidden all over the hotel. And finally, the one other guest they have checking in later today, is Hayley Harrington, a predatory nymphomaniac, affectionately known as "The Barracuda."Into this "Hotbed" of intrigue arrives... Samuel Lewis and his wife (or is she?), Ashley. He is an extremely moral and upstanding businessman and expects nothing less from those around him. She is an extremely attractive woman, and is only interested in getting Mr. Lewis into bed. Brian spends the rest of the play trying very hard to please Mr. Lewis, keep the Major/Abdul under control, and stay out of the way of "The Barracuda."How do the Major, Hopkins and Mr. Lewis end up in the same bed? Why is Ashley always losing her clothes? Where do The Barracuda and Abdul fit into all this? Who really is Abdul El Hajj? When does the real Mrs. Lewis arrive? What more could possibly happen?Much to the horror and chagrin of Mr. Lewis, the real Mrs. Lewis, who can best be described as "a humorless old battle-axe", does show up. In order to hide his relationship with Ashley from her, he bribes Brian with an offer to purchase the hotel, for more than he was asking, only to get another offer from Abdul. But the final twist is yet to come - a show stopping coup-de-theatre, which leaves the audience knowing they've been "had," but not knowing how it was done.""A hilarious comedy that will leave Fawlty Towers looking like a tragedy, Hotbed Hotel is one of Michael Parker's finest pieces of work." - Act One, Cardiff, Wales"Hotbed Hotel promises life, laughter, and sophisticated fun." - The Deerfield Beach Observer, Florida"Hotbed Hotel has the fundamental ingredients of good entertainment that provide frankly unanticipated comedic results. This play will not disappoint you. In fact, it will leave you feeling entertained, amused, and happy you made the trip." - The Peak, Vancouver, Canada

"The Glorious World of Crowns, Kinks and Curls is a collection of monologues and scenes exploring the complex relationship women have with their hair. From Afros to braids, weddings and funerals, falling in love to grieving a loss, these stories serve as a powerful reminder that for Black women in particular, hair is both deeply personal and political. These heartbreaking, heartwarming and hilarious stories will take audiences on an unparalleled journey into the world of Black womanhood." --

From the Pulitzer Prize, Tony and Emmy Award-winning composer of Next to Normal (Tom Kitt) and the Tony Award-winning writer of Red (John Logan), Superhero is a deeply human new musical about a fractured family, the mysterious stranger in apartment 4-B, and the unexpected hero who just might save the day. Directed by Jason Moore (The Cher Show, Avenue Q), Superhero made its world premiere in January 2019 at Second Stage Theater."Kitt writes beautifully for his anguished characters, shaping the lyrics to each distinct voice." - Alexis Soloski, The Guardian"[Kitt's] lyrics are neatly turned and germane." - Michael Sommers, New York Stage Review"[The] book is intelligent and the songs are well-integrated into it." - Robert Sholiton, Gotham Playgoer

Bonfire night 2019, Sheila, Denise, Julie, and Fay are Team C in Pennine Mineral Water Ltd.''s annual outward bound team-building weekend. Somehow, Sheila has been nominated team leader, and, using her cryptic crossword solving skills, has unwittingly stranded her team on an island in the Lake District.Our intrepid heroines fi nd themselves manufacturing weapons from cable ties and spatulas, and create a rescue fl ag with plastic plates and a toasting fork.Questions are asked; truths are told; dirty washing is aired.Is it possible to build an adequate night shelter with a prom dress and a sleeveless jumper? What is Julie''s husband really up to in Aldi? And why are they on this bloody team building exercise when they could be at a spa?

"London. 1887. Queen Victoria's Jubilee. Buffalo Bill's Wild West is the hottest ticket in town and its star, Miss Annie Oakley, travels to Baker Street to ask Sherlock Holmes to find her missing brother. What ensues is a tale of international intrigue, multiple murders and a war for supremacy over the London underworld."--

Inspired by the true story of Canada's own Preston Rivulettes, Glory is a hockey play that swings! In 1933, four friends set out to prove to Canada that hockey isn't just a sport for men. But with the Great Depression weighing heavily on the nation and political tensions rising in Europe, can they overcome the odds, and people's expectations, to forge their own path to glory? Told through music and dance inspired by the jazz age, Glory is a thrilling hockey story that proves a woman's place is on home ice.