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John Bowen

JOHN BOWEN

  (1924 - )
Nationality:    British
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    Casarotto Ramsay and Associates Ltd  

John Griffith Bowen (born 5 November 1924) is a British playwright and novelist. He was born in Calcutta, India, studied at the University of Oxford (at Pembroke College and St Antony's College) and worked in publishing, drama and television.

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below is a list of John Bowen's plays - click on a Play Title for more information

         After the Rain         Alarm Call         Bondage         Candidate, The         Coffee Lace, The         Cold Salmon         Corsican Brothers, The         Disorderly Women, The         Diversion         Essay Prize, The         Fall And Redemption Of Man, The         Florence Nightingale         Geordie Gentleman, The         Heil Caesar!         Holiday Abroad, A         I Love You Mrs Patterson         Inconstant Couple, The         Last Word?, The         Little Boxes         Miss Nightingale         Oak Tree Room Siege, The         Robin Redbreast         Roger         Silver Wedding         Singles         Spot the Lady         Trevor         Waiting Room, The         Which Way Are You Facing ?         Young Guy Seeks Part-Time Work
After the Rain

After the Rain
the time is '200 years after the Rain of 1969' and the action is a paraphrase of the Bible, commencing with the ark and the flood and ending with the sacrifice of the god-figure. a vital youth and a girl are introduced to the rituals of the community led by arthur, who believes himself divine. another man becomes his priest and establishes a ritual-ablutions, confession, audiences, sacrifices, etc. But arthur is disabused of his godly notions and convinced that he was only possessed by God and was only his vicar. It is he who must be sacrificed.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Hamstead Theatre Club, London     1966

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 1967   

Music:
-

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Alarm Call

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Rook, R. (ed.), Play Nine,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bondage

Synopsis:
New look at the world of Ivy Compton-Burnett. Ropes and talk of whips disguise a feminist piece.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Soho Poly, London     1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Candidate, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 1962   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
T.V. Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  Large Cast

Further Reference:
-

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Coffee Lace, The

Synopsis:
Group of elderly concert party artistes sell the body for a celebration when one dies

Notes:
part of Little Boxes

1st Produced:
Hamstead Theatre Club, London     1968

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Cold Salmon

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1998   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Corsican Brothers, The

Synopsis:
about twin brothers and the vendetta. Songs and lights.

Notes:
based on the Alexandre Dumas story, televised 1965. Lyrics by John Holmstrom And John Bowen

1st Produced:
Greenwich Theatre, London     1970

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play with Music

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Disorderly Women, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Original Playwright - Euripides (the Bacchae)

1st Produced:
Stables Theatre, Manchester     1969

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Diversion

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
London     1973

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
excerpts in Rook, R. (ed.), Play Nine, arnold, London, 1981   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Essay Prize, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 1962   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
T.V. Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  Large Cast

Further Reference:
-

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Fall And Redemption Of Man, The

Synopsis:
Selection and translation of assorted mystery plays in verse

Notes:
from the Mystery plays

1st Produced:
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Scotland     1967

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 1968   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Religious

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Florence Nightingale

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Canterbury     1975

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1976   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Historical

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  6            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Geordie Gentleman, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Original Playwright - Moliere

1st Produced:
Newcastle Onupon Tyne     1987

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Heil Caesar!

Synopsis:
a version of Shakespeare

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Midland Arts, Birmingham     1974

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1974   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  2            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Holiday Abroad, A

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Faber and Faber, London, 1962   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
T.V. Drama

Parts:
Male:  10            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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I Love You Mrs Patterson

Synopsis:
about marital inequality among professional classes in the west country. ambivalent conclusion.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Cambridge, Uk     1964

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Evans Bros, London, 1964   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Inconstant Couple, The

Synopsis:
Baroque elegance. Unsentimental piece about love and jealousy among 18th century upper crust

Notes:
Original Playwright - Marivaux (L'Heaueaux Strategeme)

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
as the Feigned Inconstancy in Marivaux Plays, Methuen, London, 1988   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Translation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Last Word?, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written by Alan Ayckbourn, John Bowen, Lyndon Brook, David Campton, John Gorrie, Julia Jones, James Saunders and Faye Weldon

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
entertainment

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Little Boxes

Synopsis:
Group of elderly concert party artistes sell the body for a celebration when one dies. Lesbian couple hire an actor as lover of one, fiance of the other, when parents come to visit.

Notes:
the Coffee Lace And Trevor

1st Produced:
Hamstead Theatre Club, London     1968

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Two 1 actors One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  13 characters

Further Reference:
-

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Miss Nightingale

Synopsis:
a group of actors try to recreate Miss Nightingale. Her mystery persists

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Canterbury Marlowe     1975

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Oak Tree Room Siege, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Leicester     1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Robin Redbreast

Synopsis:
Lonely lady in a country cottage gets caught up in village fertility rites. Fields are fertilised with blood.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
TV version in 'the Television Dramatists', elek, London, 1973   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Roger

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
in Mixed Blessings

1st Produced:
Horsham, Sussex     1973

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in London Magazine, October-November, 1976   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Silver Wedding

Synopsis:
Mixed Doubles, 'an entertainment on marriage,' takes the form of eight short plays, each for two characters. . . each is an independent play in its own right but the whole sequence, linked by a series of wickedly anti-authoritarian monologues written by George Melly adds up to an amusing if acid picture of the progress of married life from honeymoon to cemetry

Notes:
Originally presented As one of eight plays under the title "We Who Are About To. . ." At the Hampstead theatre Club on February 6th 1969, which was subsequently presented As "Mixed Doubles" At the Comedy theatre, London on April 9th 1969

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in Mixed Doubles - an entertainment On Marriage, Methuen, London, 1970   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Short dialogue One act

Parts:
Male:  1            Female:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Singles

Synopsis:
Young woman requires child but no husband, and advertises for impregnator in the New Statesman

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Greenwich Theatre, London     1977

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Plays 1" Oberon, London, 1999   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  5 characters

Further Reference:
-

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Spot the Lady

Synopsis:
With a transsexual, a peripatetic corpse and various concealed doors

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Playhouse, Newcastle Upon Tyne     1981

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Frivolous Play

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Trevor

Synopsis:
Lesbian couple hire an actor as lover of one, fiance of the other, when parents come to visit.

Notes:
part of Little Boxes

1st Produced:
Hamstead Theatre Club, London     1968

Organisations:
-

1st Published:

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama. - - Lesbian, theme/character, full length

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Waiting Room, The

Synopsis:
Harriet is shown into a waiting room after a few moments Paul is shown in. She feels that she knows Paul from somewhere but cannot place him. then she notices that they are both wearing identical watches.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Soho Poly, London     Jul 1970

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1970   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act. - - Gay, theme/character, one act

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Which Way Are You Facing ?

Synopsis:
In a corrupt society, which is worse, to try to alleviate individual pain at the cost of bolstering up the society, or to push the society further towards self destruction at the cost of increasing individual pain ?

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
New Vic, Bristol     1976

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
excerpts in Rook, R. (ed.), Play Nine, arnold, London, 1981   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Young Guy Seeks Part-Time Work

Synopsis:
Parents of a teenager receive calls which seem to indicate that he is going in for Personal Service Massage, including French

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Action Space, London     1978

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
If Publisher (above) is underlined then the play may be purchased by direct click from the Publisher, otherwise (below) are AbeBooks for secondhand, signed & 1st eds and other Booksellers for new copies

Booksellers:

Genre:
One act

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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