Bücher der Reihe Acting Edition

Someone has attempted to poison James Ondersley. Inviting the potential cuplrits to a weekend party, James has an elaborate plot to find out and reveal the would-be murderer.| 7 women, 5 men

When a house party gathers at Gull's Point, the seaside home of Lady Tressilian, Neville Strange finds himself caught between his old wife Audrey and his new flame Kay. A nail-biting thriller, the play probes the psychology of jealousy in the shadow of a savage and brutal murder. A carefully unpeeled investigation before our eyes brings the story to a pointed ending.

Flora Poste, orphaned at twenty, decides to go and live with her relatives at Cold Comfort Farm. Once there she discovers they exist in a state of chaos and feels it is up to her to bring order.

Set in the Beverly Hills home of Oscar winning movie director Bruce Delamitri, Popcorn is a satirical comedy thriller with the firepower of a hit squad. When notorious killers Wayne and Scout interrupt Bruce's passionate introduction to Brooke Daniels, a nude model and actress, they want more than an autograph from their cinematic idol. Wayne intends to use Bruce's "art" as justification for murder. Events are disrupted by the arrival of Bruce's soon to be ex wife and spoiled teenage daughter and his producer. However, Wayne means to succeed whatever the cost.5 women, 4 men

Henry Miles suspects that his wife Sarah is having an affair, and asks his friend Maurice to contact a private investigator on his behalf. However, Maurice was once Sarah's lover and wants to know if she was unfaithful to him too. This adaptation unravels Maurice's story in a series of flashbacks.

Features ten plays, which have been selected from the BT National Connections scheme, in which some contemporary playwrights in the UK and Europe were commissioned by the Royal National Theatre to produce original drama specifically for young people. The scripts are specifically written for 11-16+.

Performed at the Edinburgh Festival as the Coarse Acting Show.

Doris Wallace, bitchy queen of the tabloid press, is on the verge of a glorious venture in TV. She's not going to let anything get in her way, not even the "silly cow" suing her for libel. Any skeletons she may have in her cupboard are, like her bondage gear, firmly locked up - or so she thinks.

In a tatty provincial theatre "Fecund" is being staged. This comedy introduces us to those involved: from the stage manager (with a blinding hangover); to the leading actors (from the bitter to the plain incompetent) and others. The second act focuses on the audience, an equally mixed group.

Cecily Harrington has led a staid and proper existence. After winning a large amount of money in a sweepstake she desperately yearns for a life of adventure. Enter Bruce Lovell, a handsome and charming stranger who sweeps her off her feet. In a whirlwind romance, she recklessly abandons her job, friends and fianc¿ to settle in the remote and blissful surroundings of a country cottage. However, her newfound "love from a stranger" is not what it seems and in an astonishingly tense final scene, Cecily discovers the ghastly truth of her new love. "The final act is sure of its effect. The suspense is maintained; each turn of the story is clear and striking; the terror-stricken self-control of the girl and the man's gross and abominable insanity are depicted with every refinement. A successful thriller."THE TIMES "There is authentic and tremendous suspense about the struggle between Bruce and his wife. One feels that, if any bird did nest near this cottage, it would be the croaking raven or the fatal owl." THE OBSERVER

One of four plays by the late English actress, writer and dramatist, Mary Hayley Bell, Duet for Two Hands ran on Broadway in 1947. A classic thriller about a pioneering surgeon and the sinister results of his work.

It is 1950 and revolution has swept a country and now reached a mission station which cares for children. A new Communist government has taken over and there has been persecution of Nuns and Priests throughout the province. The Mission has been cut off from the local village and the orphaned children have been removed. The British Consul, together with his wife Ruth visits the Mission, both have a deep-seated dislike of Germans because of their son's death in the Second World War. A letter arrives from Mei Cheng the governing General of the province addressed to Sister Magdalen. This elderly Nun looked after Mei Cheng when he was an orphaned boy many years previously and is the Generals Godmother. | 6 women, 3 men

Nigel Sheridan's suburban life is, superficially, idyllic. He has an attractive wife; bright, well-behaved teenage children; a pleasant house; peace and stability ... But for several years Nigel has harboured a secret, and today his wife Eve has discovered it. How will the family survive the revelation that Nigel is having an affair in this intense, caustic drama?

The household of a Bloomsbury lodging house is composed of the landlady, who cheats her lodgers; a slavey; a major - who drinks and bullies his wife; a shark a cad; a retired bookmaker; and others all as unpleasant as one could wish. The third-floor back is taken by a passer-by a mysterious personage, who interviews all the boarders, and influences them to lead better lives.| 6 women, 6 men

This historical romp finds diarist and 'father of the Admiralty Samuel Pepys rescuing lovely singer Mrs Knight from a violent pickpocket, then slyly arranging a musical tryst with her that evening. His dinner guests include young francophile dandy Pelham Humphries and brazen Mrs Pierce and Mrs Knepp, but Pepys declares he has urgent business at the Navy office. His attractive wife sees him dress up, and knowing his ways with women, doesn't believe his story. Back home Sam and wife confront one another with various accusations, protestations and extractions of mutual promises of fidelity. It is now past midnight, their adventures are over... and so to bed.| 10 women, 12 men

"To meet Oscar Wilde" was an inducement printed by Victorian Society hostesses on soirée invitations. In this fascinating play Oscar Wilde gives a dissertation on his life in a lecture in 1899. Supported by his friend, Lord Evelyn, and an actress, Penelope Dyall - who between them enact all the male and female characters mentioned in the dissertation - we are taken, in a series of short scenes, on a journey through Wilde's life.|1 woman, 2 men

Marcia's parents, own a country cottage intended for quiet week-ends. It does not, however, work out that way on some occasions. The place is never quite ready and neighbours drop in at inconvenient moments. Marcia and her husband arrive to join the party, but the couple are not on the best of terms. Miranda, a young guest, is emabrassingly devoted to Denys, Marcia's young brother, who is attracted to the more glamorous Rowena Marriott, with whom he arrives. Mildred has to cope with the complications which develop in such an ill-assorted party. Adrian Barasford, a bachelor neighbour, is divided between fishing and his devotion to Mary Jarrow, a charming middle-aged woman living nearby. Everything seems to be going wrong.| 8 women, 5 men

The new vicar has transformed the vicarage with his flair for interior design. One of the village spinsters, Hester Byfield makes it plain that she is interested in him - romantically - but she is spurned. One of the village girls comes to see him and says that she is pregnant and ne'er do well teenager Larry is the father. after leaving the vicarage she sees Larry in the arms of the vicar's maid and distraught steps in front of an oncoming lorry and is killed. The vicar invites Larry over to the vicarage and tells him that he holds him responsible for the girl's death. Larry is in a dishevelled state as he has been fighting. | 4 women, 5 men

Delachume, 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

Set immediately after the Great War in 1918. Maugham called it "a farce in three acts". After the death of her husband, William, the spoilt and beautiful Victoria married his best friend, Frederick. When William comes back after the war alive after all, each man can hardly wait to surrender her to the other. However, Victoria seems to have another admirer waiting in the wings.-7 women, 5 men

Miss 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

Ralph, in his seventies and terminally ill, has two final missions: to be reconciled to his long-abandoned son Michael, and, secretly, to ensure he is not a burden to his younger, devoted wife Anna as he goes "into that good night". But Ralph wrecks all hope of reconciliation when he picks a fight with Michael's girlfriend. Later, alone, Ralph receives the "Visitor" whose services he has hired to provide the painless ending. But the visitor plays a devastating trick.|2 women, 3 men

When their father dies, the Dashwood girls are forced to move to a Devon cottage. They are befriended by Aunt Jennings who determines to find them husbands. Marianne, trusting her sensibliities falls for the dashing Willoughby, while Elinor applies her sense to her feelings for Edward Ferrars.

In "Theft", Chappell's comedy-thriller, two seemingly happy marriages and one formerly strong friendship are destroyed by the burglar with his own brand of subversive observation. This play is packed with one-liners, daring reversals and comments on marriage, money, and crime.

This clever satire explores the Four Ages of Man from a modern perspective using dialogue, songs, dances and mime. A voyage of discovery that freely pokes fun at the styles and pretensions of theatre, this tongue in cheek piece is ideal for adventurous groups.|Large flexible cast