Two amateur drama groups become joint winners of a play festival. A tie-break involves the groups performing an extract from their own entry and then an excerpt from the opposing team's play, but the pieces are very different. They compete again with hilarious results but the outcome is still a tie. This time a rugby scrum will decide the winner!4 women, 4 men, 2 women or men

Daisy has recently been employed as a waitress at an hotel restaurant and as a result Roland, a regular and rather particular customer, is getting more than he ordered. From polite conversation to an outright invasion of privacy, Daisy attends to Roland in her unique and inquisitive way. As their friendship grows they realize they have something to learn from each other - Daisy needs to be less nosy and Roland has to learn how to accept change. We see their personalities soften as the relationship between them develops. This quick-witted two-hander is funny and moving in true Nick Warburton tradition. For Starters can be played as a companion piece with his other one-act play Purvis.

Life-changing meetings can happen in the oddest of places: in this case, the vestry of a C of E church is the scene. Uptight, downtrodden Rachel, the vicar's wife, chats to recently-widowed Mr Purvis there and is rather cornered into offering him the post of the church's Health and Safety Officer. The consequences are unexpected: Purvis is keen but, frankly, causes more problems than he solves, the vicar being the prime victim of his misguided attempts to make things safer, and Rachel, though exasperated and embarrassed by Purvis, grows in self-confidence as their friendship deepens. Funny, touching and wry, this play for two actors is an example of comedy writing at its very best.

This is Charles Dickens the social reformer linking cameo child scenes from Great Expectations, Nicholas Nickleby, Bleak House and David Copperfield. One actor plays the adult Dickens and the main child part in each scene while the other 6 actors play a selection of roles, both adult and child, and act as narrators. Within the space of one act, Nick Warburton conveys the humour, pathos and poetry of Dickens.7 women or men

Dolly and Clara arrive at Castle Drackenberg, unaware that danger lurks behind every corner, for the castle's owner, Count Drackenburg, is a vampire! This play combines every traditional element of the vampire horror genre - including a sinister henchman, surly villagers and doughty vampire expert - with a strong measure of daft comedy, to hilarious effect!Large flexible cast

Some children decide to put on a play. It must be about football, says one. It must be set in Space, says another. There must be adventure. So begins the production of Indiana Smith and the Cup Final of Doom, or The Return of the Tedi, in which Teddy and Jemima battle against Timmy and Popkins who are intent on destroying the Inter-Galaxy Cup Final at Wembley.Large flexible cast

Brian is attempting to escape his firm's Christmas party when he is waylaid in the cloakroom by Claire, who soon discovers a secret about her unassuming colleague: at home, he likes to sing Doris Day songs. Claire tries to persuade Brian to take part in a talent contest; with her friend Wendy she sets about training Brian to sing in public.2 women, 1 man

The committee of an amateur drama group is meeting to discuss a new play. We notice that, strangely, the presentation of the meeting to us is reflecting the ideas put forward by the committee, making the play a demonstration as well as a discussion of those ideas. A clever and entertaining piece, ideal for festivals.4 women, 2 men, 2 women or men

Prospero, the Duke of Milan, and his daughter Miranda are banished from their kingdom and set adrift in a rickety boat. They are carried to a magical island and make a new life. The Tempest tells the story of what happens many years later when a ship is wrecked in a terrible storm and some strange events unfold Exciting and powerful classic stories to enrich and extend your children's reading experiences. TreeTops Classics are carefully adapted versions of must-read stories which introduce your readers to significant authors, powerful plots and characters that have stood the test of time. These abridged versions of classics have been sensitively adapted by top children's authors to ensure that language and content is appropriate, but remain faithful to the original. These enchanting stories will appeal to all your junior readers and introduce them to a rich literary heritage. Each book includes author biographies and notes to help with historical and social context and any challenging vocabulary, ensuring the books are easily accessible. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.

Four thespian enthusiasts find themselves in a dusty attic in Droitwich. Their guide explains that Shakespeare, aged ten, lived there. Then there emerges a Tudor-looking man, the ghost of Terry Shakespeare, embittered by his brother William's literary thievery. To prove his point, he puts the visitors in a trance, making them perform scenes from the plays he has written.4 women, 2 men

Class 6 are well-behaved, hard-working... and bored. Every day is much the same and then Mr Parker, the supply teacher, sets them an interesting project: to re-enact Sir Francis Drake's circumnavigation of the world in 1577. Within minutes the room is transformed into an Elizabethan sailing ship and the brave adventurers set sail!30 women or men

A very funny completion to Nick Warburton's trilogy of the Drama Club's production of Hamlet (seen on stage in Don't Blame it on the Boots and backstage in Easy Stages) which progresses to the after-show party! Meticulous stage-manager Gerry, in charge of the refreshments and music, marshals poor Patsy into artistically arranging bridge rolls, to the accompaniment of Peer Gynt!4 women, 2 men

Mr Overall, the Junior Under Minister for Justice, has a special knack for finding legal loopholes. When Prisoner 604 is sentenced to death all his talent is brought to bear. Aided by the prison chaplain, he finds a way, only to be defeated by his officious assistant and the prison officer. But Overall is not quite convinced that the game is over.4 men

This is an amusing, subtle parody of the backstage goings-on of an amateur dramatic society. While N.J. Warburton's play Don't Blame It On the Boots centred on the onstage difficulties of the amateur dramatic society's production of Hamlet, here we see the stage crew struggling to play their part against all the odds.4 women, 2 men, 2 women or men

A modern morality play wherein Michael and Tom, petty thieves, are interrogated by a Man and and a Woman who wish to be rid of a certain man. They send the thieves to spy on him but Michael runs away rather than betray him. Tom informs but later regrets his action. Both are taken out to die on either side of the man.-1 woman, 3 men

Jeffrey and Belinda are just about to type the last word of their new play when a full range of characters come to life and start to enact parts the authors can no longer control. A ghost writer lends a hand. As the play draws to a close, the writers find themselves totally embroiled in the action and only the ghost's ironical laughter is left for a grand finale!8 women, 13 men

Lord Greycoat lost his son when the boy's carrycot dropped from a plane over the African jungle. An expedition is mounted to find the adult Zartan, who suffers from a split personality and doubts about his extraordinary size in comparison to his ant 'parents'. Through Greycoat's secretary, Jane, Zartan discovers his true identity - and love.-3 women, 6 men

No one would have blamed it on the boots if only Kate had produced Macbeth instead of Hamlet or Ophelia hadn't been so attractive and naive or Eric had smaller feet and wasn't the drama group's prize flirt or Liz's father hadn't been an actor who once trod the boards at Stratford in those self same boots.3 women, 1 man

Bernard is fulfilling his dead father's wishes to scatter his ashes over his favourite fell. After a trail of misunderstandings and clashes in the family's relationships Bernard realizes the part his father has played and some sort of understanding is reached; Father, of course, has the last word.3 women, 2 men

In Janey's Giants the cricket team led by Fast Freddie, Freddie's Frighteners, sound like a difficult team to beat. They are big and strong. Derek and Janey have a team of small children, and they have Brian... TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.

Novels from top authors and illustrators with the variety children need to develop a love of reading! TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. This pack contains 6 books, one of each of: Hard to Please, Bertha's Secret Battle, Coming Clean, Amy the Hedgehog Girl, Flans Across the River, Bertie Wiggns' Amazing Ears.

Bob and Benny are looking for a job in An Odd Job for Bob and Benny. When Mrs Catkin asks for their help they are happy to say yes. But when they discover the job is looking after Daisy, Mrs Catkin's elephant, they begin to have second thoughts. TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book.

Novels from top authors and illustrators with the variety children need to develop a love of reading! TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. This pack contains 6 books, one of each of: Petey, Danny's Secret Fox, Grace the Pirate, The Night of the Ticklers, Okay, Spanner, You Win!, Climbing in the Dark.

Novels from top authors and illustrators with the variety children need to develop a love of reading! TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. This pack contains 6 books, one of each of: The Big Chance, Janey's Giants, Dangerous Trainers, An Odd Job for Bob and Benny, Blackbones Saves the School, The Wrong Letter.

Novels from top authors and illustrators with the variety children need to develop a love of reading! TreeTops Fiction contains a wide range of quality stories enabling children to explore and develop their own reading tastes and interests. It contains stories from a variety of genres including humour, sci-fi, adventure, mystery and historical fiction. These exciting stories are ideal for introducing children to a wide selection of authors and illustrators. There is huge variety to ensure every reader finds books they will enjoy and can read. Books contain inside cover notes to support children in their reading. Help with children's reading development also available at www.oxfordowl.co.uk. The books are finely levelled, making it easy to match every child to the right book. This pack contains 6 books, one of each of: Air Raid!, Trapped!, Never Wash your Hair, The Booming Boots of Joey Jones, The Terrible Power of House Rabbit, Sing for your Supper.