The Playwrights Database
RONALD GOW
(1897 - 1993)
Nationality:
English
email:
n/a
Website:
n/a
Literary Agent:
Film Rights Ltd & the Society of authors
Born in Heaton Moor, Manchester, the son of a bank manager, Gow trained as a chemist and for many years taught at altrincham Grammar School. Writing occupied his spare time: he wrote plays for the BBC, and with his pupils made several popular educational silent films. at the age of 35 he found success in London with Gallow's Glorious (1933), a play about the American slavery abolitionist John Brown.
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below is a list of Ronald Gow's plays - click on a Play Title for more information
Affair At Kirklees, The
All On A Summer's Day
Ann Veronica
Ann Veronica
Boston Story, A
Breakfast At Eight
Compromise
Edwardians, The
Friendship Of Mrs Eckley, The
Full Treatment
Gallows Glorious
Golden West, The
Grannie's A Hundred
Henry
Higgins the Highwayman Of Cranford
Jassy
Jimmy Jones
Kings Warrant, The
Lawyer Of Springfield, The
Love On the Dole
Marrying Sort, The
Ma's Bit O'Brass
Men Are Unwise
Miracle On Watling Street
Mr Rhodes
My Lady Wears A White Cockade
Ohms
Old Jest, The
Robin Goes To Sea
Sausage, The
Scuttleboom's Treasure
Sheriff's Kitchen, The
Tess Of the D'Urbervilles
This Stratford Business
Under the Skull And Bones
Vengence Of the Gang, The
Watch And Ward
Affair At Kirklees, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Five Robin Hood Plays" published by Nelson, London 1932 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
All On A Summer's Day
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Five Robin Hood Plays" published by Nelson, London 1932 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Ann Veronica
1909. ann Veronica Stanley is one of a rare breed - a female student. She is studying biology. Her Father disapproves. Her friends Hetty and Connie are suffragettes and their group leader is the militant Miss Miniver. at the church picnic Hubert declares his love - but ann Veronica is more interested in businessman Mr Ramage. Her Father insists that she give up college - so she runs away. But she has no money to support herself whilst she carries on her college course. Mr Ramage lends her money. at college ann Veronica realises that she is in love with her tutor Mr Capes. She is shocked to discover that he is married but separated from his wife. Mr Ramage takes her to a disreputable restaurant that has private rooms. He wants payment for his loan. ann Veronica escapes. Disillusioned with men she goes to Miss Miniver and says that she wants to strike a blow for women. She takes part in an outrage in Downing Street and is arrested. Hubert offers to bail her out but she refuses. after the tribulations of being in prison she returns home. Her Father tells she must give up her college course and that she should marry Hubert. She returns to college to collect her microscope and books. Mr Capes is packing for a holiday in Switzerland. She tells him that she loves him. they go off to Switzerland together
Notes:
Written by Ronald Gow And Frank Wells; music by Cyril Ornadel; lyrics by David Croft. Based on the book by H G Wells
1st Produced:
Cambridge Theatre, London 1969
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
Original cast recording: CBS (70052) 1969
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Ann Veronica
Synopsis:
1909. ann Veronica Stanley is one of a rare breed - a female student. She is studying biology. Her Father disapproves. Her friends Hetty and Connie are suffragettes and their group leader is the militant Miss Miniver. at the church picnic Hubert declares his love - but ann Veronica is more interested in businessman Mr Ramage. Her Father insists that she give up college - so she runs away. But she has no money to support herself whilst she carries on her college course. Mr Ramage lends her money. at college ann Veronica realises that she is in love with her tutor Mr Capes. She is shocked to discover that he is married but separated from his wife. Mr Ramage takes her to a disreputable restaurant that has private rooms. He wants payment for his loan. ann Veronica escapes. Disillusioned with men she goes to Miss Miniver and says that she wants to strike a blow for women. She takes part in an outrage in Downing Street and is arrested. Hubert offers to bail her out but she refuses. after the tribulations of being in prison she returns home. Her Father tells she must give up her college course and that she should marry Hubert. She returns to college to collect her microscope and books. Mr Capes is packing for a holiday in Switzerland. She tells him that she loves him. they go off to Switzerland together
Notes:
Based on the book by H G Wells
1st Produced:
- 1949
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London 1951 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comedy
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Boston Story, A
Synopsis:
Roger has an extraordinary theory that it should be possible to teach a young woman to fall in love with him. Having failed with Isabel, he decides to try the experiment with Nora, his ward. He enlists the help of his cousin, Herbert and also Isabel, but unfortunately, the arrival of George, a handsome scoundrel and a distant cousin of Nora, upsets matters. Nora is sent away to europe and when she returns as a beautiful young woman, we are kept in hilarious doubt until the final curtain as to who will win her in the end.
Notes:
the novel by Henry James
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
english Theatre Guild, London, 1969 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Breakfast At Eight
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London 1921 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Compromise
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Deane 1935 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
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Edwardians, The
Synopsis:
1910. Sebastian a young Duke feeels that his life is too conscripted. He is supposed to marry
Notes:
novel by V Sackville, Aka Weekend in May
1st Produced:
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1960 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: 8 Female: 6 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Friendship Of Mrs Eckley, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Cheltenham 1975
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Full Treatment
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Written by Ronald Gow And Robert Morley
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Gallows Glorious
the action of the play takes place in America in 1859, prior to the election of Lincoln and the outbreak of the Civil War. the scenes are laid in the adirondack Mountains of New York State in the North, and in Maryland and Virginia in the South.
Notes:
Performed under the title "John Brown" in New York 1934
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Victor Gollancz, London, 1933.
Contained in: "Penguin Plays" published by Penguin Books 1958 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 18 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Golden West, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Gowans and Gray 1932 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Grannie's A Hundred
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- 1939
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Deane's Series of Plays, Kenyon-Deane, London, 1939 978-0715500941
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comedy for Women in 1 act Comedy
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Henry
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Gowans and Gray, London 1931 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Higgins the Highwayman Of Cranford
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Gowans and Gray, London 1930 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Jassy
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Based on the novel by Norah Lofts
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Jimmy Jones
Synopsis:
Welsh coal miner Rhys Davies has seventeen children he wants to have 21 but as his wife has died he must find a new bride so that he can achieve this. His step daughter Jenny Jones leaves the valley. She returns some years later with enough money for her boyfriend to stage an opera he has written
Notes:
Music by Harry Parr-Davies; lyrics by Harold Purcell; book by Ronald Gow. Based on the stories of Rhys Davies
1st Produced:
London Hippodrome 02 Oct 1944
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Musical
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Kings Warrant, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Five Robin Hood Plays" published by Nelson, London 1932 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Lawyer Of Springfield, The
Synopsis:
abraham Lincoln
Notes:
Originally A radio play broadcast in 1940
1st Produced:
- 1949
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Bakers Plays 1949 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Love On the Dole
Period 1934 a vivid depiction of unemployment in a northern manufacturing town
Notes:
written with Walter Greenwood
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Heinemann 978-0435223601
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play/Drama
Parts:
Male: 7 Female: 7 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Marrying Sort, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Ma's Bit O'Brass
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Based on the film "Lancashire Luck" screenplay by A R Rawlinson. Original play title: "Lovejoy's Millions"
1st Produced:
- 1938
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Deane's Series of Plays, Kenyon-Deane, London, 1944 978-0715502839
Music:
-
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Genre:
Three act Comedy
Parts:
Male: 8 Female: 5 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Men Are Unwise
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Based on the novel by ethel Mannin
1st Produced:
- 1937
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Miracle On Watling Street
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Dickinson and Thompson, London 1935 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
-
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Mr Rhodes
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Drama
Parts:
Male: 5 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
National Library of Scotland ref: Traverse - Dep.256/Box 24/13
Top of Page
My Lady Wears A White Cockade
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Garamond Press, London 1935 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
comedy
Parts:
Male: 2 Female: 2 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Ohms
all female comedy set in a village post office
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- 1934
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Deane 1933 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Old Jest, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
novel by Jennifer Johnston
1st Produced:
Brighton 1980
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: 4 Female: 4 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Robin Goes To Sea
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Five Robin Hood Plays" published by Nelson, London 1932 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Sausage, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London 1924 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Scuttleboom's Treasure
Synopsis:
school expedition finds the pirates treasure
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- 1938
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London 1938 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Sheriff's Kitchen, The
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Contained in: "Five Robin Hood Plays" published by Nelson, London 1932 -
Music:
-
To Buy This Play:
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Tess Of the D'Urbervilles
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
Based on the novel by Thomas Hardy
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
This Stratford Business
Synopsis:
-
Notes:
stories by Henry James
1st Produced:
Cheltenham 1971
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
- -
Music:
-
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Genre:
adaptation
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Under the Skull And Bones
Synopsis:
pirate fantasy
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- 1933
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Gowans and Gray, London 1930 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Vengence Of the Gang, The
Synopsis:
Scouts and Rovers
Notes:
-
1st Produced:
- -
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Gowans and Gray, London, 1933 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Play One act
Parts:
Male: - Female: - Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page
Watch And Ward
Synopsis:
It should be possible to teach a young woman to fall in love with you ..
Notes:
from novel by Henry James, Aka A Boston Story
1st Produced:
Organisations:
-
1st Published:
Theatre Guild, London, 1969 -
Music:
-
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Genre:
Comedy
Parts:
Male: 3 Female: 3 Other: -
Further Reference:
-
Top of Page