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Ian Hay

IAN HAY

  (1876 - 1952)
Nationality:    English
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    n/a

real name is John Hay Beith, b 17 Apr 1876 - d 22 Sep 1952, formely a master at Fettes college. Served with distinction in the First World War, gaining the C.B.e. and M.C., and reaching the rank of major; was elected Chairman of the Society of Authors, 1935. In October 1938 was appointed Public relations Officer at the War office and was promoted to the rank of Major-General; resigned Jan 1941.

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

         Admirals All         Archibald's Afternoon         Baa Baa Black Sheep         Bachelor Born         Clean Hands         Damsel In Distress         False Pretences         Frog, The         Getting Together         Good Luck         Gusher, The         Happy Ending, The         Hattie Stowe         Housemaster         It's Quicker To Telephone         Leave It To Psmith         Little Ladyship         Middle Watch         Midshipmaid, The         Mr Faintheart         Off the Record         On Borrowed Time         Orders Are Orders         Personally Or By Letter         Present From Margate, A         Safety Match, A         Song Of Sixpence, A         Sport Of Kings, The         Tilly Of Bloomsbury         White Sheep Of the Family
Admirals All

Synopsis:
A top movie star is making a film in China when she gets involved with bandits

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Stephen King-Hall

1st Produced:
Shaftesbury, London     06 Aug 1934

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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  12            Female:  6            Other:  3

Further Reference:
-

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Archibald's Afternoon

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-     1922

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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Baa Baa Black Sheep

Baa Baa Black Sheep
-

Notes:
Written by P G Wodehouse and Ian Hay. Based on a short story by Ian Hay

1st Produced:
New Theatre, London     22 Apr 1929

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:  8            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bachelor Born

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Lyceum Theatre, New York     25 Jan 1938

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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Clean Hands

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Picadilly, London     11 Jun 1933

Organisations:
Repertory Players

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

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Damsel In Distress

Synopsis:
Golf-loving American composer George Bevan falls in love with a mysterious young lady who takes refuge in his taxicab one day; when he tracks her down to a romantic rural manor, mistaken identity leads to all manner of brouhaha.

Notes:
Written by P G Wodehouse and Ian Hay

1st Produced:
New Theatre, London     13 Aug 1928

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London 1930   

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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False Pretences

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-     1926

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Frog, The

Synopsis:
Lots of down and outs and tramps are committing crimes. They all have a frog tattooed on their wrists

Notes:
Based on the book "the Frog" by edgar Wallace

1st Produced:
Princes Theatre, London     11 Apr 1936

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 of mystery and imagination

Parts:
Male:  17            Female:  5            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Getting Together

Synopsis:
The differences between Americans and Britons

Notes:
Music And lyrics by Gitz Rice; book by Ian Hay; Percival Knight; J Hartley Manners

1st Produced:
Lyric Theatre, New York     1918

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc   

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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Good Luck

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
with Seymour Hicks

1st Produced:
Drury Lane Theatre, London     27 Sep 1923

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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Gusher, The

Synopsis:
A treasure map is discovered and an expedition is formed and sets off to a desert island

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Princes Theatre, London     31 Jul 1937

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 of mystery and imagination

Parts:
Male:  24            Female:  7            Other:  with doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Happy Ending, The

Happy Ending, The
A dead war time hero turns up alive and proceeds to blackmail his wife for money

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Prince's Theatre, Bristol     1922

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:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Hattie Stowe

Synopsis:
The story of Harriet Beecher Stowe author of "Uncle Tom's Cabin"

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Embassy, London     11 Feb 1947

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:
Historical drama

Parts:
Male:  19            Female:  12            Other:  with doubling

Further Reference:
-

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Housemaster

Synopsis:
Charles Donkin is a housemaster at Marbledown School for Boys. Three young female relatives come to stay with him and set about turning the heads of some of the boys and everything else upside down.

Notes:
from his own novel. Apollo, London 12 Nov 1936

1st Produced:
Edinburgh: Kings Theatre     02 Nov 1936

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, 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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  11            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
Wearing - the London Stage 54.14

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It's Quicker To Telephone

Synopsis:
Mr Rapkin and his boss entertain a young lady at the Ritz-Carlton. Mr Rapkin asks the young lady to telephone him that evening as Mrs Rapkin is on holiday. However, Mrs Rapkin has come home a week early

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc   

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:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Leave It To Psmith

Leave It To Psmith
Psmith is hired to steal a necklace belonging to his step mother - but he is not the only one after it

Notes:
written by Ian Hay and P G Wodehouse

1st Produced:
Lyric Theatre, London     29 Sep 1930

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Contained in: "Wodehouse Four Plays" published by Methuen 1983   

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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Little Ladyship

Synopsis:
Schoolgirl eve feigns an illness so that she can be attended by the high powered doctor Sir John Brent. Her ruse works and they are soon married. However, his work keeps him away for long periods and eve decides to secretly resume her education. all is well until the mathematics tutor falls for her.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Aldwich Theatre, London     1938

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, 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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  16            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Middle Watch

Synopsis:
Captain Randall of the Marines has invited his young lady aboard H.M.S. Falcon. a young American widow has also come aboard to visit a friend. the ship receives orders to sail immediately and it puts out to sea with the young ladies still aboard

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Stephen King-Hall

1st Produced:
Grand Theatre, Wolverhampron     02 Jun 1941

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, 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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Midshipmaid, The

Synopsis:
Sir Percy Newbiggin is sent to Malta to look into reducing the navy's budget. His daughter accompanies him and the sailors fall over themselves to get near her

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Stephen King-Hall

1st Produced:
King's Theatre, Southsea     03 Aug 1931

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Mr Faintheart

Synopsis:
Jos Finch is taking a cruise aboard the White Line ship "Homeric". He is completely out of place very shy and does not fit in with other passengers. Mrs Maggs the wife of a famous novelist decides to take him under her wing

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Stephen King-Hall

1st Produced:
-     1931

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French   

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:  7            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Off the Record

Synopsis:
Two friends get drunk and decide to swap jobs. One is a civil servant in Whitehall, the other a ship's captain

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Stephen King-Hall

1st Produced:
Apollo, London     03 Jun 1947

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:  9            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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On Borrowed Time

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
a comedy by Paul Osborn, from a book by Lawrence e Watkin, adapted by ian Hay

1st Produced:
Haymarket, London     04 Oct 1938

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:
adaptaion

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Orders Are Orders

Synopsis:
An American film crew take over an army barracks to make a Hollywood movie

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And Anthony Armstrong

1st Produced:
King's Theatre, Southsea     01 Aug 1932

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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Personally Or By Letter

Synopsis:
Timothy tells Bill he is going to propose to Marjorie. After the proposal Marjorie comes to Bill's rooms to ask him what she should do. When he leaves the room Marjorie sees a letter from Bill addressed to her. In it Bill says he loves her

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Inc   

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:  2            Female:  1            Other:  1boy 1girl

Further Reference:
-

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Present From Margate, A

Synopsis:
A stolen letter, blackmail and a duchess

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay and A e W Mason

1st Produced:
Shaftesbury, London     14 Dec 1933

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd 1934   

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:  11            Female:  8            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Safety Match, A

Synopsis:
When Daphne's mother dies she is left to look after her father - the Rector -her sister and three brothers. Coal magnate Sir John Carr comes to stay. He is impressed with Daphne and decides to marry her. Three years of a loveless marriage - Daphne is treated as if she is one of Sir John's workers. There is discontent in the mines. An angry drunken mob descend on Sir John's home demanding changes. He handles things badly but Daphne steps in and sorts matters out

Notes:
from his own novel

1st Produced:
Prince's Theatre, Bristol     1920

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French    

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:
Drama

Parts:
Male:  21            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Song Of Sixpence, A

Synopsis:
Three wives battle their tight fisted husbands

Notes:
Written by Guy Bolton and Ian Hay.

1st Produced:
-     1930

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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Sport Of Kings, The

Synopsis:
A strict justice of the peace takes over a firm of bookmakers

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-     1924

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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Tilly Of Bloomsbury

Synopsis:
Dick takes his betrothed Tilly to meet his posh family in the country. She is snubbed by most of them and to make herself look good lies about her family and its connections. Things do not look good when Dick's family come to call on Tilly's.

Notes:
from his own novel "Happy-Go-Lucky"

1st Produced:
-     1919

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, 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:
Comedy

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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White Sheep Of the Family

Synopsis:
A family of well to do crooks are shocked when the son a fantastic forger announces he is going straight

Notes:
Written by Ian Hay And L du Garde Peach

1st Produced:
Liverpool: Royal Court     03 Sep 1951

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd London 1953   

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:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
Wearing - the London Stage 51.242

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