In the seemingly quiet town of Bere Knighton there is never a dull moment for Dr Richard Forth. Not only does he have a hectic work schedule and an awkward friendship with his ex-girlfriend, but his wife, Barbara, is constantly ill and nobody knows what is wrong with her. When Eric Dawson, a stranger, claims to have known Richard's second fiancee - a woman Richard claims does not exist - Barbara's health worsens and she isn't the only one. With bad luck spreading almost as quickly as bad news, it seems somebody is out to kill Barbara, and anyone else who gets in their way.

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

Long retired from the operatic stage, the famous soprano, Tryphosa Swan, is still a force to be reckoned with. Impulsive, imperious, and incredibly rich, she has only one regret in life. Abandoned as a baby, she has never known who her real mother was. An unexpected clue prompts her to confide in her only close friend, Marianne, who advises her to let sleeping dogs lie. But Tryphosa has never taken advice and hires a genealogist with unexpected results. Her uneasy relationship with her two daughters deteriorates, and when, in an act of pique, she decides to change her will yet again, the grim spectre of Death appears. And the killing doesn't stop. A gripping thriller by the author of Prescription for Murder, Practice to Deceive, the Tombtrilogy, and The Borzoletti Monstrance, Swan Song shows Norman Robbins at the top of his fiendish form.

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

When the Catholic Church decides to close the tiny convent of St Gudrun and dispose of its assets, it unwittingly brings tragedy to the peaceful village of Redston. For Redston's greatest asset is the Monstrance created by legendary goldsmith, Teodoro Borzoletti, in the 18thCentury, and now believed to be worth millions to a collector. In Redston Hall, Austin Reeves-Mercer, a noted Protestant, struggles to keep his ancestral home solvent, but an ancient family feud brings the actual ownership of the Monstrance into question and tensions mount. The revelation that the Monstrance is a fake is a shock to all concerned, and when deceit, blackmail and death pay unexpected visits to Redston Hall, only one solution is possible...murder. Written by the author of Prescription for Murder, At the Sign of 'The Crippled Harlequin', And Evermore Shall Be So and more and based on a real life event, The Borzoletti Monstrancewill have audiences guessing until the very end.

This title features M3, F5, 2 M or F. A living-room. The gruesome discovery of several dead bodies buried on the moor sparks a police investigation and a heavy media presence in the remote North Yorkshire village of Chellingford. When Adrian Brookes shows up at Jessica Scanlon's cottage, however, it's with another line of enquiry in mind. His sister, Laura, has disappeared, and he thinks watercolour artist Jessica might be able to help him find her. Jessica's friend Etta has also gone missing, and when she is called upon to identify one of the bodies discovered by the police, she confirms that it is Etta. But Jessica's landlady Mildred seems to have other ideas. A mysterious suicide, an elaborate insurance scam and the arrival of nosy true crime writer Diana Wishart create further layers of intrigue that lead to a thrilling denouement. It features Adrian Brookes, late 30s, Mildred McBride, late 60s, Gavin Purdie, 40s, Donald Caffrey, about 70, Jessica Scanlon, early 40s, Diana Wishart, 20s, Susan Tonks, slightly older than Diana, Rhoda Bradstock, 50s, Detective Inspector Dyson, male or female, 40s, and, Detective Sergeant Morley, male or female, 30s.

"Prepare To Meet Thy Tomb" follows "Tomb With A View" and "Tiptoe Through the Tombstones" to complete the trilogy of plays from Norman Robbins about the family that play together and slay together: the murderous Tombs. As night falls and fog descends on Monument House Hotel and Alternative Health Spa, Hecuba Tomb and her niece Drusilla receive a series of unexpected visitors. Novelist Philippa and her assistant Daphne are seeking refuge from a mysterious follower they fear may be the notorious 'Norfolk Strangler'. Hot on their heels come TV historian Quentin Danesworth and vacuous honeymooners Robert and Miranda. The uninvited guests are soon snooping around the secret passages of the creepy old mansion and asking too many questions for comfort. Sure enough, one by one they fall victim to violent deaths by devious techniques - no secret panel is unoccupied, no cup of tea untouched, and nobody is who they appear to be. This irresistible combination of spoof and baffling murder mystery, over-the-top characters and shocking plot twists will thrill and delight in equal measure.

This is a murder mystery with more than a touch of humour from the author of "Prescription for Murder" and "At the Sign of 'The Crippled Harlequin'". Taking its title from the traditional song "Green Grow the Rushes O" the play explores the events surrounding a murder which took place four years previously and how strangely the song lyrics seem to fit so well with the circumstances. The action focuses on the repercussions that can be felt where there is 'something wrong with the village ...a sense of evil about it...' An author, cousin of the Vicar's wife, arrives, having been encouraged to write a book about the murder. Old tensions and suspicions are brought to the surface as not everyone is in favour of raking up the past. Offering ten good acting roles, the story twists and turns, leaving your audience guessing until the very last speech of the play.

A case of mistaken identity leads to tragedy in this engaging thriller. In a snowbound guest house in the Peak District, Marjory Pike is wrongly identified by another guest as the author of a book declaiming certain mediums, one of whom had committed suicide as a result. The son of the deceased medium is staying at the guest house, so when he arrives in the lounge bloodied and bruised, and Marjory is found dead, the finger of suspicion naturally points at him. But the guest house may be haunted, other guests have their own secrets, and even the proprietors are not above suspicion...In true Norman Robbins fashion the deepening mystery is rich with shocks and laughs as the play moves to its unexpected close.

Although one of the best-known tales of the Brothers Grimm, for almost a hundred years theatrical versions of "Hansel and Gretel" have been children's plays and seldom presented as "traditional" pantomimes. Norman Robbins, in his twenty-first pantomime for Samuel French, has given us a stirring version of, to his mind, a wrongly neglected masterpiece with a strong storyline, a wicked witch (but not too wicked!) and with good triumphing over evil. Set in the village of Pumpernickel, the Forest Fairy and Attrocia, the Witch, battle for the villagers. Attrocia builds the Gingerbread House to entice the children, Hansel and Gretel, but events stop short before they are eaten, although the witch gets her just desserts! Full of fun, comedy routines and laughter, this is family entertainment at its best.

Dame Ditty runs a successful school of singing (star pupil: Melody) much to the chagrin of the rival music teacher, Dr Discord (star pupils: none). When the Duke of Sterling arrives in town the rivalry between the two schools is brought into the open and a singing contest to be held at the local fair is suggested, but Dr Discord rigs the rules so only a male singer is eligible. Dame Ditty has no male singers - but then Tommy Tucker arrives and is asked to sing for her. Dirty work is afoot: Discord arranges with Mother Cursem to put a spell on Tommy, stealing his voice. But Melody and the Duke's daughter Sophie enlist the help of Professor Wizo to put matters right

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

Based on the nineteenth century story by the French Countess d'Aulnois the story concerns the heirless King Pat-a-Cake of Euphoria who has three adopted sons. Seeking a successor he sets them a task, offering the throne to the winner. Dim-witted Princes Fyne and Dandi squabble over he quest whilst Prince Peerless encounters a beautiful girl on his travels. She is, in fact, Princess Rosamund, hidden twenty years ago by her distraught parents who believed she would be forced to marry Prince Ghastly by his mother Queen Venoma, who is still searching for her, using her magic powers.Large flexible cast

Norman Robbins pantomime tells the traditional story in which his own wacky style combines with the traditional elements to provide a script that is hilarious and imaginative, with plenty of opportunities for cast and technical crews to show their mettle. The production can be as elaborate or as simple as facilities permit and directors are free to make their own choice of songs and music.Large flexible cast

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.Large flexible cast

Norman Robbins' fun-packed pantomimes tell the traditional stories in a clear fast-moving style and can be staged simply or elaborately, as required. The choice of music is left to the director.

This is an adaptation of one of the most exciting Arabian Night stories of all time. The staging can be simple or elaborate and casting flexible - only a few thieves on stage at any one time. The plot is full of suspense and excitement, though the blood-thirstiness of the original story has been toned down. Full of humour and song, with the villians getting their comeuppance.2 women, 4 men, 7 women or men

In Usher, his great country house, aging horror star Romney Marsh gathers a group to read a new play. When the last guest arrives, Romney unleashes the guard dogs and, with a moat full of piranha, he has his visitors trapped. Someone has been sending him newspaper clippings about the suicide thirty years ago of Mabel Monk, an actress and Romney's lover. He intends to find out who is responsible, but first one of his quests is found with her throat cut...6 women, 4 men

Marion Bishop, an elderly writer of romantic novels, is dying. Katherine Willis, kind soul from the nearby village, looks after Marion in a most caring way while coping with her own mentally retarded brother of twenty. When Katherine takes leave to attend her cousin's wedding in Scotland. Laura and experienced nurse from London comes to take care of the failing writer, on the recommendation of the local doctor. A series of mysterious phone calls and the appearance of Raymond, Marion's rapacious nephew, set off a nightmare situation which becomes increasingly complicated when Katherine's brother is found murdered in a ditch. 4 women, 3 men

Albert Perkins is blessed with a loving wife, Muriel and cursed with a fearsome mother-in-law, Boadecia. When his friend Hilary Armitage writes to him reminiscing about the good times they used to have, Boadicea reads the letter and determines to remove her daughter instantly from the clutches of this evil sex-fiend. Albert has a hard time explaining that the letter is perfectly inncent, and anyway Hilary is a man. He isn't helped when Hilary turns up, wearing a blonde wig and a glamorous evening dress...3 women, 4 men

Norman Robbins

Pantomime

Characters: 9 male, 8 female, extras.

Simple sets.

"The audience loves it . . . Everything about it."-- Des Moines Register . The play is a pantomine on conventional lines with a dame, wicked witch, good fairy, haunted bedroom, and knock about scenes, contemporary songs to choice, references to local names, etc., but based on the less usual story of the four and twenty blackbirds baked in a pie. When the King's magic crown is stolen, his kingdom is reduced to destitution, and it looks as if evil has conquered good. But handsome Prince Valentine is finally triumphant. Easily staged settings are alternated with front cloth scenes, may be as elaborate or as simple.

Pantomime for 13 characters and chorus on convential lines with a bad tempered fairy, a good witch, knockabout scenes, reference to local names and so on, but based on a less usual subject.Flexible cast