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Ray Cooney

RAY COONEY

  (1932 - )
Nationality:    British
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    Laurence Fitch Ltd  

Ray Cooney began his theatrical career as a boy actor in "Song of Norway" at the Palace Theatre in 1946. He served his apprenticeship by playing in various repertory companies from Worthing to Blackburn before graduating to Brian Rix's company at the Whitehall Theatre in 1956. He played "Dry Rot" and "Simple Spymen" and then began a writing career which, to date, has produced seventeen West end plays including "One for the Pot" (co-written with Tony Hilton), "Not Now Darling", "Move Over Mrs Markham", "there Goes the Bride" (all co-written with John Chapman) "Chase me Comrade", Why Not Stay For Breakfast?", "Wife Begins at Forty", "Run for your Wife!", "Two into One", "Out of Order", "It Runs in the Family" and "Funny Money". as Producer and Director he has been responsible for over thirty London productions, including "Lloyd George Knew My Father", "Whose Life is it anyway?", "they're Playing Our Song", "Duet for One", "Bodies", "Chicago", "Clouds" and "Children of a Lesser God". In 1983, Ray formed the Theatre of Comedy Company (bringing together the founder members consisting of Thirty West end stars) and he became its first artistic Director. During Ray's tenure the company produced over twenty plays including "Run for Your Wife", "Out of Order", "Two into One", "Passion Play", and the acclaimed revivals of "See How they Run", "Loot", "When We are Married" and "Pygmalion" starring Peter O'Toole and John Thaw. During Ray's hectic theatrical career he has always found time to continue acting and played the last year of "Run for your Wife" in London before appearing in the New York production. Recently he played the lead in "It Runs in the Family" and "Funny Money". Ray has been married to Linda for nearly thirty five years and apart from their son Michael (author of "Cash on Delivery!") they have an elder son Danny who lives in Australia with his wife and two children.

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

         Bang Bang Beirut         Bend Over Boys!         Caught In the Net         Charlie Girl         Chase Me, Comrade!         Come Back To My Place         Dickory Dock         Elvis         Funny Money         Her Royal Highness ?         How's Your Father         It Runs In the Family         Italian Straw Hat, An         Move Over Mrs Markham         My Giddy Aunt         Not Now Darling         One For the Pot         One Good Turn         Out Of Order         Run For Your Wife         Stand By Your Bedouin         Stop Dreamin'         there Goes the Bride         Time's Up         Tom, Dick And Harry         Two Into One         Who Were You With Last Night?         Whose Wife is it. . .         Why Not Stay For Breakfast?         Wife Begins At Forty

Bang Bang Beirut

Synopsis:
an outrageously funny fame set in the lobby and courtyard of a small hotel in the Middle east, where a group of British undercover agents (in a variety of unlikely disguises) arc trying to weather a local military coup, while devising a plan to smuggle a young native prince out of danger. the bungling spies arouse the suspicions of the meal military and we are off on a mad whirl of double-takes, sliding panels, missing bodies and mistaken identities - the perfect ingredients for a fast-moving and hilarious evening's entertainment.

Notes:
written with Tony Hilton, Aka Stand By Your Bedouin

1st Produced:
Guildford, Surrey    1966

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1971   -

Music:
-

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Genre:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bend Over Boys!

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Theatre Royal, Brighton    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Caught In the Net

Synopsis:
This play is a sequel to RUN FOR YOUR WIFe. We find John Smith eighteen years later, still happily married to his two unsuspecting wives. He now has a sixteen-year old son, Gavin, by Barbara in Streatham, and a fifteen-year old daughter, Vicki, by Mary in Wimbledon. One day Gavin and Vicki happen to meet surfing the internet and are amazed at the coincidences concerning their respective (!) fathers: both are called 'John Smith'; both are aged 43; and, surprise, surprise, both are taxi drivers. Vicki can't understand her Dad's vehement reaction when she tells him, firstly, of the amazing coincidence and, secondly, that she's invited Gavin round to meet him and Mum, John spends the next two hours attempting to stop the inevitable. CaUGHT IN the NeT received a marvellous reception at the Vaudeville theatre in London's West end, where the critics received it with absolute delight: 'It's sheer joy from beginning to end', 'It has been a while since I cried laughing at the theatre, and what a joy it is when it happens'

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Vaudeville, London    2001

Organisations:
Bill Kenwright

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 2005   -

Music:
-

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Genre:
Play/Drama

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Charlie Girl

Charlie Girl
-

Notes:
written with Hugh And Margaret Williams. Music And lyrics by David Heneker And John Taylor

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Chappell, London, 1972   -

Music:
Original cast recording: Sony (66174)

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Chase Me, Comrade!

Synopsis:
Holding a top secret post in the Ministry of Defense, Commander Rimmington, of Her Majesty's Navy, must watch appearances, and he is not always pleased by the carryings-on of his impulsive daughter, Nancy. Her latest escapade begins when her friend, ballerina alicia Courtney, arrives breathlessly to announce that the great Russian dancer, Petrovyan, has decided to defect to the West-and that she has smuggled him out of London in the trunk of the Commander's car. the first question is how to distract the Commander while Petrovyan is sneaked into the house, but then, after the Commander goes off fishing, the problems really begin to mount. an official appears with a coded message for the Commander and, in an attempt to get rid of him quickly, the Commander is impersonated by Nancy's fiance, Gerry Buss. as they try to hide Petrovyan, the trumped-up stories and assumed identities mushroom hilariously, while agents from the Russian embassy lurk outside in the bushes, the local constable blunders in at the wrong ti

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
London    1964

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1966   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Come Back To My Place

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with John Chapman

1st Produced:
Westcliff-on-Sea, essex    1973

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:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dickory Dock

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with Tony Hilton

1st Produced:
Richmond, Surrey    1959

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

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Genre:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Elvis

Elvis
-

Notes:
Music And lyrics by various writers; book by Ray Cooney And Jack Good

1st Produced:
Astoria Theatre, London    1977

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
Original cast recording: was only for sale at the theatre 1977

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Funny Money

Synopsis:
accidentally picking up the wrong briefcase necessitates booking one way fare to Barcelona

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Playhouse, London    1995

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1995   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Her Royal Highness ?

Synopsis:
the successful formula of one actor playing dual roles is repeated in this collaboration with Royce Ryton. This gift of a part (two parts) for a young actress sees her doubling as Princess Diana and an up-front, outspoken Australia girl from the Outback. This comedy-Drama purports to tell the 'true' story of Diana during the week before her wedding. the young bride-to-be loses courage and flees to a secret hideout. However, with all that is at stake, the wedding to Charles must go ahead - a 'double' for Diana has to be found and schooled within the week. the best look-alike is found in a shanty town in Australia! During the course of the next week the play charts a happy course between romantic comedy, thriller and Drama.

Notes:
written with Royce Ryton

1st Produced:
London    1981

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

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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:
comedy Drama

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  6            Other:  4 walk ons

Further Reference:

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How's Your Father

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Richmond, Surrey    1963

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:
-

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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It Runs In the Family

Synopsis:
a madhouse filled with an epidemic of unbridled lunacy.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1990   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Italian Straw Hat, An

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Original Playwright - Eugene Labiche

1st Produced:
Shaftesbury, London    1986

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:
adaptation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Move Over Mrs Markham

Synopsis:
Three sets of lovers all converge on a bedroom at the same time

Notes:
written with John Chapman

1st Produced:
Richmond, Surrey    1969

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1972   -

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:
Farce. - - Gay, theme/character, full length

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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My Giddy Aunt

Synopsis:
an old woman is murdered causing an incongruous group to be trapped on an Indian tea estate.

Notes:
written with John Chapman

1st Produced:
Wolverhampton    1967

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, 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

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Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Not Now Darling

Not Now Darling
the scene is the exclusive London fur salon of Bodley and Crouch, where Crouch (the well-meaning innocent) struggles to keep things on an even keel despite the energetic philandering of his partner. at the moment, Bodley is trying to secure the affections of his latest would-be mistress by "selling" her husband an expensive mink fur coat for a fraction of its real worth, and the stammering Crouch is saddled with the task of consummating the sale with a straight face. But, as luck would have it, the husband seizes the bargain coat as the perfect gift for his own mistress-whereupon the complications burgeon uproariously, with poor Crouch caught in the middle. Suspicious wives, mistaken identities, scantily clad girls clapped hurriedly into closets and a continuous barrage of rapid fire jokes all become part of the hilarious doings, as the action of the play bubbles along merrily right up to the final curtain when, miraculously and to the great relief of all concerned, everything somehow manages to work out as i

Notes:
written with Ray Cooney

1st Produced:
Richmond Theatre, Richmond, Surrey    1967

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1970; Josef Weinberger (revised edition) 2002   978-0856761744

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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One For the Pot

Synopsis:
Seemingly endless beneficiaries arrive to claim the money.

Notes:
written with Tony Hilton

1st Produced:
Wolverhampton    1960

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1963   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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One Good Turn

Synopsis:
at the publisher's weekly "berk" dinner an unsuspecting guest is held up to ridicule

Notes:
Original Playwright - Francis Verber (Le Diner de Cons)

1st Produced:
-    -

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

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:  4            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Out Of Order

Synopsis:
sexual scandal for junior government minister sends his PPS into an identity crisis

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Leatherhead, Surrey    1990

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1991   -

Music:
-

To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Run For Your Wife

Synopsis:
Bigamous husband does his frantic best to keep his two wives from catastrophic meeting.

Notes:
London 1983

1st Produced:
Guildford, Surrey    1982

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1984   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Stand By Your Bedouin

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with Tony Hilton. Aka Bang bang Beruit

1st Produced:
Garrick, London    1966

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Published under the title "Bang Bang Beruit"    -

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Stop Dreamin'

Synopsis:
Family man Fred has a lot on his plate: a troubled marriage; wayward children and a Father losing his grip on reality! Thankfully help is at hand in the form of 'mr Music,' a mysterious new 'friend' who is invisible to everyone but Fred. Hilarity ensues in this feel-good comedy about family, love and the inspirational power of music

Notes:
written by Ray Cooney with lyrics And music by Chas Hodges And Dave Peacock

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:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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there Goes the Bride

Synopsis:
about a young woman's forthcoming marriage and attitudes about premarital sex

Notes:
written with John Chapman

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1975   -

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Time's Up

Synopsis:
Steven Tancred, is a young lawyer who, during hypnotherapy intended to cure his smoking, discovers a past life more exciting than his present one. as Johnny May, rookie hoodlum in the Prohibition-era gang of Bugs Moran, he falls for Ruby, Bugs's reluctant showgirl moll. as Steven, he is a decent chap with principles, engaged to his boss's daughter and destined for a long career in the family firm. Will his time-travelling exploits on Doctor Patel's couch lead him to rethink his choices?

Notes:
Lyrics by Mary Stewart-David; Book by Ray Cooney; Music by Chris Walker

1st Produced:
Guildford, Yvonne arnaud    2005

Organisations:
RCP

1st Published:
-   -

Music:
-

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Genre:
Musical

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  5            Other:  chorus

Further Reference:

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Tom, Dick And Harry

Synopsis:
some really nasty body malarkey and a couple of Kosovan immigrants.

Notes:
written by Ray Cooney And Michael Cooney. also published by Samuel French, Inc - New York (2007) >>>

1st Produced:
Theatre Royal, Windsor    2003

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 2006   -

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Two Into One

Synopsis:
bungled threesome antics in adjoining hotel suites

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Leicester    1981

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1985   -

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Who Were You With Last Night?

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
written with Tony Hilton

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:
-

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Whose Wife is it. . .

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Thorndike - Leatherhead    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:
comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Why Not Stay For Breakfast?

Synopsis:
Period 1970, staid member of the establishment has hippies occupy above, pregnant women complicates proceedings

Notes:
written with Gene Stone

1st Produced:
Westcliff-on-Sea, essex    1970

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wife Begins At Forty

Synopsis:
husband returns to estranged wife who is ' sorting herself out' and discovers the flames of passion are not quite dead

Notes:
written with Arne Sultan And earl Barret

1st Produced:
Guildford, Surrey    1985

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1986   -

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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