ADDITIONS TO THE LIBRARY 2001 The Ark Candleford The Good Rollerblader The House of Bernada Alba Parcel Policing the Saints A Question of Priorities Rattling the Railings The Rich Pop Star A Ringing of Bells Lark Rise The Secret Rapture Six Characters in Search of an Author Skylight Additions to the Library 2000 THE GOOD ROLLERBLADER and THE RICH POP STAR by John Webster. Church House Publishing. Two books of short (3 to 5 minutes) presentations, seventeen in each book, for young children and Narrator. Divided into sections: Stories of Jesus, Faith in Action, Stories from round the world. Each sketch is followed by a short reflection on the meaning of the story. Back A RINGING OF BELLS by Christopher Fry. Samuel French. 3m, 3f. "A Conversational Fantasy". Written in 2000 for Fry's old school. Adam and Eve call on a village hotel seeking directions. Who are they? The history of the village and some of its famous inhabitants are recalled, Biblical allusions and philosophical insights abound and are aired in Fry's elegant language. Back LARK RISE and CANDLEFORD by Keith Dewhurst. Samuel French. Two plays derived from Flora Thompson's trilogy. An evocation of village life in Victorian England during a whole day at harvest time ("Lark Rise") and a whole day in winter ("Candleford"). With doubling, a cast of 20. Back THE SECRET RAPTURE by David Hare. Samuel French. 2m, 4f. David Hare territory of tortured relationships, in this case between two sisters, their stepmother and the men in their lives. Powerful characterisation and a tragic ending. Back SKYLIGHT by David Hare. Samuel French. 2m, 1f. A play in two acts in which the characters try to restore former relationships broken by adultery. Kyra, once employed by Tom, became his mistress. When Tom's wife discovers the affair Kyra leaves. The play begins when, a year after his wife's death, Tom's son Edward calls on Kyra seeking help for his father. Tom himself also calls. A new beginning is in the making, but its detail is left with us to decide. A good deal of robust language is used. Back THE HOUSE OF BERNADA ALBA by Federico Garcia Lorca. Methuen Drama. 3 act play. 18 women, but could be reduced. Described by the author as "A true record of village life (in Spain). It is a tragic tale of frustration and explosive passions in a household of women ruled by a tyrannical mother." Back SIX CHARACTERS IN SEARCH OF AN AUTHOR by Luigi Pirandello. Penguin Books. Large cast. Six fictional characters discarded by their author are searching for a new identity and a new role to give their lives meaning and location. As a new play is constructed the line between fiction and reality is crossed and recrossed. A play with many levels. Cerebral and absorbing. Back POLICING THE SAINTS by Allen Synge. Typescript. 2 Persecutors, m or f, Saints 9m, 2f. 30 mins. A thoughtful and challenging script in which the saints are accused by persecutors. The saints (their actual words are used) offer their defence. Ingenious structure and incisive dialogue result in a powerful drama. Back A QUESTION OF PRIORITIES by Mark Lister. 2m, 4f. 40-45 minutes. Typescript. Michael sits by his dying father’s bedside trying to come to terms with his guilt. In a series of flashbacks he examines the contrasting roles played by the family, the residential home, and hospital staff. (Author’s synopsis) Back Also sets of: RATTLING THE RAILINGS by Peter Terson PARCEL by David Campton Both these plays are concerned with the care of elderly relatives. Back THE ARK by Helen Griffin Three women deal with their grief after the death of "Dad". Back