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Roger Parsley

ROGER PARSLEY

  
Nationality:    English
email:    Click here to contact     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    n/a

Roger Parsley took a teaching degree at Exeter University, and after serving as Head of Drama and Head of English for a few years at Secondary level, he trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He then became a Drama Adviser in Essex, being based at the Playhouse Theatre in Harlow, where his Theatre writing became an importANT part of his life. He has worked as a director and writer in both Theatre-In Education and Youth Theatre, and was closely associated with the nationally-touring SNAP Theatre Company, as a writer and director, for more than 20 years. His many classic adaptations include "Brideshead Revisited" and "Sense And Sensibility", and these, together with two of his musical plays - "All For Your Delight" and "the End Of the Pier Show" - are published by Samuel French Ltd. For Starshine Music he has written the very popular schools musical nativity "Jesus' Christmas Party" and two versions (one for schools, and one full-length) of an original musical, based on pantomime characters, called "Panto Pandemonium". His adaptation, with Andy Graham, of E.M. Forster's "Maurice" recently had two very successful runs at the Above the Stag Theatre in Victoria, London, and will this autumn be seen in San Francisco, at the New Conservatory Theatre, while his version of Hanif Kureishi's "My Beautiful Laundrette" (Also written with Andy Graham) is to run at the Above the Stag in March and April 2011. Roger regularly directs with the Norwich-based touring company Transaction Theatre, and has written for, and directed with, both the Sewell Barn and the Maddermarket Theatres in his home city of Norwich. Roger's leisure activities include playing folk music and running (though never at the same time!) and he is a life-long supporter of, and season ticket holder with, the Canaries - Norwich City Football Club! At present, he and Andy Graham are working on an exciting new musical, details of which will be on his website very soon.

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

         Alice's Adventures!         All For Your Delight         Animal Farm         Brave New World         Brideshead Revisited         Buddha Of Suburbia, The         East Of Eden         End Of the Pier Show, The         Go-Between, The         Howards End         Jesus' Christmas Party         Maurice         My Beautiful Laundrette         Of Mice And Men         Panto Pandemonium         Panto Pandemonium         Picture Of Dorian Gray, The         Pride And Prejudice         Room With A View, A         Sense And Sensibility         Sons And Lovers

Alice's Adventures!

Synopsis:
Alice's weird adventures with the Queen of Hearts, the Cheshire Cat, the Gryphon, the Mock Turtle, the Mad Hatter and the March Hare are presented in a tale which incorporates both visual and physical comedy in a vigorous re-telling of the famous children's tale.

Notes:
from the books of Lewis Carroll

1st Produced:
Eye theatre    2004

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:  5 -24 actors

Further Reference:
-

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All For Your Delight

Synopsis:
A fun musical involving comic meloDrama, missing diamonds, and an outrageous cohort of policemen! Set in a music hall somewhere on the fringes of London, this show has chorus songs, a bewildered chairman, backstage scenes and on-stage performances all in the music-hall style.

Notes:
music Arranged by Duncan Lane

1st Produced:
AmatEur    1987

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1987   -

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 Play Musical

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  7            Other:  chorus

Further Reference:
-

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Animal Farm

Synopsis:
All animals are equal - except, of course, the pigs, who turn out to be rather more equal than others! This exploration of the uses and abuses of power is as relevant today as ever.

Notes:
rights : PFD. Adaptation from George Orwell

1st Produced:
Brighton    1992

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  7            Female:  5            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Brave New World

Synopsis:
Aldous Huxley's chilling view into the not-so distant future, presented for the stage in a direct style.

Notes:
rights : Reece Halsey Agency. Adaptation from Aldous Huxley

1st Produced:
Eastbourne    1994

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  8            Female:  8            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Brideshead Revisited

Brideshead Revisited
Evelyn Waugh described the theme of his classic novel as "the operation of a divine grace on a group of diverse but closely connected characters." This portrait of the interweaving relationships and fortunes of a desperately charming, if eccentric, family and their influences on Charles Ryder has been faithfully adapted for the stage, preserving all the sharp wit and candid social commentary of Waugh's narrative. the scenes slip easily into one another to provide a dream-like element to the story, presented to us through memory, of Ryder's struggle to make sense of his life, loves, society, and religion, and ultimately to find his own salvation. Period: 1943, and the 1920's in recall.

Notes:
novel by Evelyn Waugh

1st Produced:

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1994   978-0573017308

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:  14            Female:  8            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Buddha Of Suburbia, The

Synopsis:
the story is set in the 70s and follows Karim, a second generation Indian youth who is lead into a life of wasted superficiality when his dad leaves his mother ro pursue an alternative career path as a spiritual teacher.

Notes:
novel by Hanif Kureishi. Play no longer Available

1st Produced:

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  4            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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East Of Eden

Synopsis:
This play uses the last third of John Steinbeck's great novel, and focuses on the inner turmoil of the moody Cal, and his search for love both within and without his family. the story that made James Dean famous!

Notes:
rights: Josef Weinberger Limited. Adaptation from John Steinbeck

1st Produced:
Campus West, Welwyn/tour    1995

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  4            Female:  2            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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End Of the Pier Show, The

Synopsis:
A musical set in August,1939 at the end of a pier, somewhere in the U.K. Has comic and romantic songs, a monologue, and backstage scenes, all played with the knowledge that the Second World War is imminent.

Notes:
music Arranged by Duncan Lane

1st Produced:
amatEur production    1988

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1989   -

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 Play Musical

Parts:
Male:  4            Female:  4            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Go-Between, The

Synopsis:
An old man looks back at his life-changing childhood stay at his schoolfriend's large house in Norfolk at the beginning of the 20th Century. His ultimately soul-destroying experiences are vividly explored in the text.

Notes:
rights : the Society of Authors. Adaptation from L.P.Hartley

1st Produced:
Norwich Playhouse    1996

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:  4            Female:  3            Other:  2b

Further Reference:
-

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Howards End

Synopsis:
This play has three major roles for women, all of whom are looking to find their place in society in the Edwardian era. they explore, in their very different ways, both the professed and actual values of England in the early part of the twentieth century. Carries a strong emotional undertow.

Notes:
rights : PFD. Adaptation from E.M. Forster

1st Produced:
national tour. London run (Bloomsbury theatre) 1997    1996

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  4            Female:  7            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Jesus' Christmas Party

Jesus' Christmas Party
A funny and moving musical Nativity play, with catchy songs and comedy, featuring a grumpy innkeeper and his wife, who are trying to sleep but are constantly disturbed by a succession of star-followers!

Notes:
From the children's illustrated book by Nicholas Allan

1st Produced:
Eastbourne    2003

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Starshine Music, 2003   978--1905591077

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:
Children's Musical Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  6-50+

Further Reference:
-

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Maurice

Synopsis:
the story of a young man's journey in search of his sexuality, and his ultimate discovery of happiness.

Notes:
rights : PFD. Adaptation from E.M. Forster. Written by Roger Parsley And Andy Graham

1st Produced:
National Tour, London run at Bloomsbury theatre    1998

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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. - - Gay, full length

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  3            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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My Beautiful Laundrette

Synopsis:
Omar, a Pakistani teenager, persuades his white boyhood friend, Johnny, to help him run a decaying launderette that his Uncle Nasser has jokingly asked him to take charge of. Omar and Johnny become lovers, in spite of the ever-present menace of Johnny's vicious fascist friends and Omar's suspicious and Mafia-like family. Comic, sexy, brutal, and tender.

Notes:
adapted by Roger Parsley And Andy Graham from screenplay by Hanif Kureishi. Rights: FILM FOUR

1st Produced:
National Tour    2002

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  5            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Of Mice And Men

Of Mice And Men
A moving tragicomedy of two itinerant workers, George and Lenny, and their ultimately hopeless dream.

Notes:
rights: Josef Weinberger Limited. Adaptation from John Steinbeck

1st Produced:
National Tour    1992

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

1st Published:
-   978--0856761539

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:  1            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Panto Pandemonium

Synopsis:
A musical comedy play, in which four children take us on an adventure through various pantomime stories, in an attempt to find three magic objects in order to defeat the Wicked Witch

Notes:
songs by Ruth Kenward

1st Produced:
productions in schools    2004

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Starshine Music,    -

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:
Schools Version Musical

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  24 any sex + Chorus

Further Reference:
-

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Panto Pandemonium

Panto Pandemonium
Two students are charged with the task of recovering three magic objects from Pantoland, in order to help the Good Fairy defeat the Wicked Witch. they meet many of panto's favourite characters, including the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella, and Aladdin, as well as both halves of a pantomime cow! This show combines the essence of pantomime with a modern musical, with the emphasis on comedy.

Notes:
songs by Ruth Kenward; More details, photo's, etc. At www.pantopandemonium.com

1st Produced:
Trials in U.K    2006

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Starshine Music, 2007   978--0954427467

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:
full length Musical

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  4            Other:  15+ either sex

Further Reference:
-

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Picture Of Dorian Gray, The

Synopsis:
the portrait takes on all the sins of Dorian Gray, and the image slowly changes, as his wickedness and self-indulgence combine, into that of an old, lined man. It is only a matter of time before the wages of sin have to be paid. An atmosphEric comic Drama, including some of Oscar Wilde's biting aphorisms, set in the 1890's.

Notes:
adaptation from Oscar Wilde

1st Produced:
National Tour    1997

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  5            Female:  5            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Pride And Prejudice

Synopsis:
All the main characters of Jane Austen's great comic masterpiece are here - the ridiculous Mrs. Bennet, the handsome but haughty Darcy, the flighty Lydia, and, of course the comically pompous Mr. Collins. Elizabeth Bennet meets and eventually conquers them all.

Notes:
adaptation from Jane Austen

1st Produced:
National Tour    1996

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  5            Female:  6            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:
-

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Room With A View, A

Synopsis:
Explores the intertwining lives, prejudices, and loves of a group of Edwardian English people on holiday in Florence, and at home.

Notes:
rights : PFD. Adaptation from E.M. Forster

1st Produced:
Maddermarket theatre    2003

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:  6            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Sense And Sensibility

Sense And Sensibility
Left in straitened circumstances when their Father dies, the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne move to a Devon cottage. there, Marianne falls in love with the dashing but untrustworthy Willoughby, while Elinor represses with difficulty her feelings for Edward Ferrars, who appears to be unattainable. With the less than helpful assistance of the comical Aunt Jennings, the two girls eventually find happiness.

Notes:
adapted from novel by Jane Austen by Roger Parsley And Andy Graham

1st Produced:
National Tour    1999

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 2001   978--0573019265

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:  3            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Sons And Lovers

Synopsis:
Gertrude, trapped in a sterile marriage, focuses all her passion, her hopes, and her expectations on her son Paul. He, in turn, struggles to find his own way, looking for love with both Miriam and Clara, only to discover that his mother's influence on his life kills all other passion. Based on the first great psychological novel.

Notes:
adaptation from D.H. Lawrence

1st Produced:
National Tour    2002

Organisations:
SNAP Theatre Company

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:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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