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Deborah McAndrew

DEBORAH MCANDREW

  
Nationality:    British
email:    n/a     Website:    Click here

Literary Agent:    United Agents  represented by Giles Smart

Deborah McAndrew studied Drama at Manchester University before embarking upon an acting career; which includes extensive work on radio and television, and in touring and repertory Theatre. Her adaptation of Leopold Lewis' the Bells for Northern Broadsides Theatre Company opened at the Viaduct Theatre, Halifax, in 2004 and toured the UK. Her first original play, Vacuum, was also premiered by Northern Broadsides in 2006 prior to touring. Vacuum will be produced again in August 2008 by Esk Valley Theatre. Deborah's current commissions include a new adaptation of Dana Fo's Accidental Death of an Anarchist, which will be produced by Northern Broadsides in September 2008, and King Macbeth for Reveal Theatre Company, which will premiere in Spring 2009. Deborah has spent time on writing attachment at the National Theatre Studio and is currently on writing attachment at Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

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

         Accidental Death of An Anarchist         August Bank Holiday Lark, An         Bells, The         Beyond the Veil         David Copperfield         Dirty Laundry         East Lynne - The Victorian Story         Flamingoland         Government Inspector, A         Grand Gesture, The         Hard Times         King Macbeth         Losing the Plot         Oliver Twist         One of Each         Till The Cows Come Home         Ugly, Duck         Vacuum         Yen
Accidental Death of An Anarchist

Synopsis:
A man is taken to the fourth floor of a police station, accused of planting a terrorist bomb. A few hours later he is found dead on the pavement outside. The policemen involved have difficulty remembering the exact details of the event. . .

Notes:
Original Playwright - Dario Fo

1st Produced:
Halifax: Viaduct Theatre     24 Sep 2008

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides

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:
translation

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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August Bank Holiday Lark, An

August Bank Holiday Lark, An
Tomorrow morning, you and Frank Armitage are getting wed. In my opinion, marriage is blind optimism at any time, but especially in wartime. It's an act of faith. Taking its title from a line in Philip Larkin's poem 'MCMXIV', An August Bank Holiday Lark explores the impact of the First World War on a rural community in East Lancashire. Set in the idyllic summer of 1914 rural Lancashire, everyone in the community is excited about Wakes week; a rest from field and mill and a celebration of the Rushbearing Festival with singing, courting, drinking and dancing. The looming war barely registers . . . but it will. Through the lens of traditional rural life, the play follows the stories of the people of the village and witnesses their personal transitions from exuberance to touching naivety as they manage their loss with courage and humanity.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides

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:
historical drama

Parts:
Male:  8            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Bells, The

Synopsis:
Deep in the snowbound mountains of Alsace a savage crime remains unsolved. Fifteen years on the assassin, Mathias, is now rich and respected, but tormented by guilt. Driven by desperation to escape detection and consumed by conscience, Mathias hangs suspended between sanity and terror, as nightmarish visions, conjured from the depths of his mind, administer justice.

Notes:
Original Playwright - Leopold Lewis

1st Produced:
Halifax, Viaduct     14 Sep 2004

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides

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:  -

Further Reference:

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Beyond the Veil

Synopsis:
DCI Mark Starkey thinks he's got a quiet patch in sleepy Thistledale, but all that is about to change dramatically when there's a sudden, unnatural death on the local allotment. . . The grisly discovery down by the beehives is only the beginning for Detective Starkey. To unmask the murderer he must first uncover an altogether less savoury side of life in Thistledale; bitter grudges, thwarted passions and murky pasts. . . And then there are the bees. . . The life of the honeybee might be described as one of great sweetness and harmony, punctuated by sudden, desperate, acts of violence. The same could be said for Thistledale. Detective Starkey soon realises that the more he knows about bees, the closer he gets to the killer!

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax     26 Sep 2013

Organisations:
Mikron 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 with music

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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David Copperfield

Synopsis:
Like a Dickensian Harry Potter, David leads us on a magical journey, encountering villains and challenges that will have you on the edge of your seat. the Octagon stage is transformed into a magical playground as David sets sail on the high seas in a playful world full of puppets, donkeys, music and invention.

Notes:
adapted from Charles Dickens's novel

1st Produced:

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:
Christmas Show

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  3            Other:  doubling, extras

Further Reference:

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Dirty Laundry

Synopsis:
Reuben Moth is dying. His daughter Nora is doing her best to look after him. One day he starts calling her Emeline. But who was Emeline?

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Spode Works, Spode     2017

Organisations:
Claybody Theatre

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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East Lynne - The Victorian Story

Synopsis:
The heartbreaking classic Victorian tale of Lady Isabel, who is cunningly seduced by the villain into believing that her devoted husband is guilty of intrigue with another woman. In despair she abandons her home and children to seek refuge in a new life abroad. Although her husband may forget, will he ever forgive her?

Notes:
from book by Henry Wood

1st Produced:

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

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Flamingoland

Flamingoland
A big-hearted, bittersweet comedy about mothers, sisters, love and lies. In her Yorkshire council house, no-nonsense Mari is having a clear out before the 'Big Move' brought on by cancer. there's a lifetime of clutter to be sorted, the house to clean from top to bottom, and the squirrels in the loft to be dealt with before she can bow out. But, as well as memories of holidays in Mablethorpe and day trips to Flamingoland, there's a big box of family secrets to dust off and unwrap. Will Mari decide to let sleeping dogs lie? Or will she force them all to wake up and finally face the truth?

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

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:  1            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Government Inspector, A

Government Inspector, A
This version of A Government Inspector is a Yorkshire take on Gogol's 1836 fantastical Russian satire. the setting is here transposed to a small northern town in the twenty-first century, geographically and culturally remote from the centre of government. Into a small Pennine town a mysterious stranger is mistaken for a government inspector. Fearing discovery of their corrupt goings-on, the town's unscrupulous councillors attempt to ingratiate themselves. Bribes, backhanders and brown envelopes abound, and the young chap, who has an eye for a quick buck, takes full advantage with hilarious results. Deborah McAndrew's version of A Government Inspector goes beyond literal translation, but is absolutely faithful to Gogol's stated intention to peel away the surface layers of ordinary people and expose the corruption beneath. It's exuberant, brilliantly witty and original, and audiences will revel in the references to government officials' expenses claims and women's beach volley ball. . .

Notes:
Original Playwright - Nikolai Gogol

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides

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:  13            Female:  5            Other:  doubling possible

Further Reference:

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Grand Gesture, The

Grand Gesture, The
Simeon Duff is working class, unemployed and desperate. His wife works. He's lost all self esteem. He's on the scrap heap and wants to end it all. . . and so begins this brilliantly insane comedy about a man on the edge. When word gets out that Duff is going to top himself, a host of ne'er-do-wells crawl out of the woodwork, each wanting to claim his grand gesture for their 'noble cause'. Let's face it, why waste a death? But which cause shall it be. . .love, politics, religion, or the rising price of fish? Will the disillusioned Duff go through with it? Will he really top himself for a dubious cause? Is he worth it? Watch and see . . . the suspense will kill you, if you don't die laughing first.

Notes:
Original Playwright - Nikolai Erdman, adapted from The Suicide

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides in partnership with Harrogate Theatre

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:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:

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Hard Times

Hard Times
-

Notes:
Based on the novel "Hard Times" by Charles Dickens

1st Produced:
-    

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Methuen Drama   

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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King Macbeth

Synopsis:
The real Macbeth ruled Scotland successfully for seventeen years, and was certainly not the bloody, ambitious tyrant portrayed in Shakespeare's masterpiece. Few hard facts are known about him, but enough to imagine a very different story. Born at the turn of the first Millenium, Macbeth was almost certainly the illegitimate grandson of Malcolm II, King of Alba. His father, The Mormaer of Moray, was killed when Macbeth was just 15 years old - but due to the ancient custom of Tanistry, by which brothers and their offspring inherit land and wealth, Macbeth was left penniless. With nothing to depend on but his own martial and political skill the young Macbeth emerged as an impressive general, highly valued by the king. But Malcolm had plans for Alba, and ambitions for Macbeth's vain and profligate cousin, Duncan; plans that threatened the stability and peace of this burgeoning nation. Eleven long years after the death of his Father Macbeth is finally supported by the king in avenging his murder, and taking back Moray. Macbeth is happy at last, with an intelligent, pious new wife, Gruoch, and an adopted son. Only then does the king kill the kinsman of Macbeth's new wife - by tradition the rightful heir to the throne. Faced with the depth of Malcolm and Duncan's treachery, Macbeth must decide whether he will go on being a pawn in their political game; and what he will do when Duncan inevitably becomes king? Carefully researched and vividly imagined in verse and prose, King Macbeth seeks to discover the real story behind Scotland's most famous king.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
Reveal 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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Losing the Plot

Synopsis:
the gardeners of Thistledale Allotments are a rag-bag bunch of diggers and dreamers. Strong personalities frequently clash over the best treatment for mealy bugs, and the annual 'Heaviest and Longest' competition is always a time when old feuds and new flirtations threaten to undermine the fragile peace. then Harvey from the Council pays them a visit and they realise that they must pull together, or forfeit their precious plot forever. But can they agree on a strategy? How will they convince Harvey of the vital role allotments have played in the life of the nation for centuries? What will they do when things inevitably get completely out of hand? Told with a rollicking mix of old music hall tunes and brand new songs, Losing the Plot is a story of love - between people and the land; between people and people; and between people and their giant vegetables.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Netherton Moor Road Allotments, Netherton, Moor Road, Netherton, Huddersfield Hd4 7Je     12 May 2012

Organisations:
Mikron 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:
comedy

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Oliver Twist

Synopsis:
On a striking, angular set of dirty wood, metal and stone with lots of platforms and doorways at different levels, designed by Dawn Allsopp and lit beautifully by Richard G Jones, the story of the young orphan boy in the workhouse who dares to ask for more food and is cast out to begin his adventures on the streets of London is moved on rapidly, initially through short scenes, choral narration and songs. This keeps the pace going and summarises the core plot well, but it is nice later on when some more substantial scenes are allowed to develop.
- David Chadderton, British theatre Guide

Notes:
from novel by Charles Dickens

1st Produced:

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:
Christmas Show

Parts:
Male:  3            Female:  4            Other:  doubling

Further Reference:

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One of Each

Synopsis:
Sir Caspian Delamere is a man on a mission, to find the finest Fish and Chips in Britain. He's narrowed it down to two seaside vendors - finalists for his GOLDENFISH-FORK award. By coincidence The Pickled Egg and The Silver Darling are rival establishments run by twins, Roderick and Annette Whale. Unable to agree on the best way to cook this iconic dish, they went their separate ways years ago, and now they find their food and their philosophies in direct competition for the coveted GOLDEN FISH-FORK. Which portion will prevail? Rod's old fashioned, homely style? Or Nettie's high-tech twist ontradition? Their story is covered by unscrupulous journalist, Meriel Hacker, and she is after ascoop. So what will she do when she hooks a much bigger fish than she ever expected. . .? Set sail with Mikron for a savoury tale about the British National Dish. Hot, salty and wrapped in newspaper!

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Wetherby Whaler, York     07 May 2015

Organisations:
Mikron 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:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Till The Cows Come Home

Synopsis:
Harvey Granelli is fed up working for Thistledale Council. He followed his miserable mother into local government, but he has more in common with his Italian father - part-time playboy and one-time ice-cream maker, Romeo. Inspired by a dream, Harvey finds the courage to follow his heart and whip up his own gelato.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Huddersfield: Lawrence Batley Theatre     04 Oct 2014

Organisations:
Mikron 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

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Ugly, Duck

Synopsis:
Dennis Hancock wouldn't win any beauty competition. A life long Port Vale fan, Burslem born Dennis is rapidly declining in middle-age and inexorably sinking into the ranks of the long term unemployed.In desperation he answers an advert in the local paper for an artist's life model. But when Katherine Drosdzowske, the daughter of a Polish immigrant, begins to paint him, Dennis exposes himself in more ways than one. . .

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Showcased At The Capital New Writing Festival In Birmingham     2010

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:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Vacuum

Synopsis:
It's the end of a long week for financial adviser Ray and as he steps out of the winter rain into the dingy little vacuum repair shop he has few expectations of his new 'client'. But the enigmatic Mr Ashburner turns out to be a man of untold wealth. As the night progresses Ray is drawn into Ashburner's twilight world and the fabric of his own fragile life begins to unravel.?But what else has Mr Ashburner's Father bequeathed to his lonely son? And how will Ray react when Ashburner reveals his true agenda? In a tense drama of shifting power and status, two disparate souls come together in a touching, and humorous story of self-discovery. Like a tale of the unexpected the play concludes with a deadly twist.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Halifax: Viaduct Theatre     22 Sep 2006

Organisations:
Northern Broadsides

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:  2            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Yen

Synopsis:
Aya has run away from life, and is living in a flat next door to Ed  an unfathomably old lady, who once dreamt of diving in the (cancelled) Tokyo Olympics of 1940. Aya also has Japan in her dreams  an ancient Japanese folk tale about a princess, saved from drowning by a handsome Samurai Spirit. When Aya's brother, Jam, comes looking for her the fragile inner worlds of both women begin to unravel, with profound consequences for all of them.

Notes:
YEN is a rewarding, enigmatic piece about the complex psychological strategies that evolve over time in dealing with loss and hopeless longing.

1st Produced:
-    

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:
work in progress

Parts:
Male:  2            Female:  2            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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