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Ben Travers

BEN TRAVERS

  (1886 - 1990)
Nationality:    English
email:    n/a     Website:    n/a

Literary Agent:    United Agents  

Ben Travers was born in Hendon in 1886 and was sent to Charterhouse in the reign of Queen VictoriA. His school career was a complete failure and was terminated, as he himself asserted, by mutual consent. He then spent several years in commerce for which he displayed very little interest or aptitude, but in 1911 he found more congenial employment in the firm of John Lane, the publisher and founder of the Bodley Head. Virtually all his farces of the twenties and thirties were filmed and other screenplays included POT LUCK, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, LADY IN DANGER and UNCLE SILAS. He wrote five novels, two volumes of autobiography and a book on cricket. During the 1914-18 war he was a Squadron Commander in the RNAS and RAF, and received the Air Force Cross, and in 1939 he rejoined the RAF as Squadron Leader. He was also the Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, Vice President of Somerset County Cricket CLub, and President of the Dramatist's Club. In 1976 he was presented with a Special Standard Drama Award for his services to the Theatre, and he received the C.B.E. in the Queen's Birthday Honours. When Ben Travers died in 1980, at the age of 94, the title of his book of cricket reminiscences was changed in characteristic Traver's form, from 94 NOT OUT to 94 DECLARED.

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

         After You with the Milk         Banana Ridge         Bed Before Yesterday, The         Bit Of A Test, A         Corkers End         Cuckoo In the Nest, A         Cup Of Kindness, A         Dippers, The         Dirty Work         Malacca Linda         Night Like This, A         Nun's Veiling         Outrageous Fortune         Plunder         Rookery Nook         She Follows Me About         Spotted Dick         Thark         Thekla         Turkey Time         Wild Horses

After You with the Milk

Synopsis:
This sophisticated, saucy, fast-moving comedy takes place in the heat-wave summer of 1935 and centres on Dottie, young, attractive and slightly dizzy, whose vocabulary seems devoid of the word 'no'. Her overt kindness and soft-heartedness leads her into a life of turmoil as, in her endeavours to please everyone all of the time, she indulges in several affairs with complicated and desperate results!

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1980

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1985   -

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:  3            Female:  3            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Banana Ridge

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1938

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bed Before Yesterday, The

Synopsis:
Alma, a rich but physically far from lovely widow, has had no sexual experience since the sole occasion on her wedding night twenty years ago. She marries impoverished Victor on the understanding that their marriage will be based on friendship. But intervention from Victor's son, his unconventional girlfriend and Alma's free-and-easy cousin warm up her long-cooled fires with unexpected results. Period 1930

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1976   -

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:  4            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Bit Of A Test, A

Synopsis:
The England cricket team are touring Australia. Pogson the captain is having a hard time keeping leading batsman, Stratton, up to the mark and away from his playboy ways. After the match Stratton invites his girlfriend Sylvia into the changing room. He tells Pogson that he is driving to Sylvia's bungalow in the outback to protect her grandfather from bandits

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
The Aldwych, London    30 Jan 1933

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Corkers End

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Guildford    1968

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, NY,    -

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:  7            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Cuckoo In the Nest, A

Synopsis:
Major Bone and his wife arrive at their daughter's flat where they are going to spend the weekend. their daughter, Barbara and her husband Peter are going to a house-party in the country. Barbara unexpectedly arrives - she was on the train waiting for Peter. Peter had been talking to an exotic looking woman on the platform and had missed the train. She had got of at the next station and had come back home. A telephone call to the garage informs her that Peter and the exotic woman have taken the car and are driving off to Somerset. Barbara and her parents go in pursuit. Peter's car breaks down. He and the woman - the French wife of an M.P. Peter had been asked to escort her to the house-party try to book into an hotel. But there is only one room - so they pretend they are married.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1925

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  7            Female:  6            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Cup Of Kindness, A

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1929

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dippers, The

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
Based on the novel "the Dippers" by Ben Travers

1st Produced:
Prince's Theatre, Bristol    1921

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Dirty Work

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1932

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Malacca Linda

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1922

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Night Like This, A

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1930

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Nun's Veiling

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1956

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London, 1956   -

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:  7            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Outrageous Fortune

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1947

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Plunder

Synopsis:
Mrs Hewlett is a unpopular woman, and suave, international thief Freddy Malone is keen to relieve the nouveau riche lady of her jewellery. In an unexpected twist, his old school chum, DArcy Tuck, also wants to swindle Mrs Hewlett of her wealth, compelling Freddy to enlist his bungling friend as an accomplice in the crafty thievery.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
in "Five Plays" Allen, London, 1977   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  13            Female:  7            Other:  extras

Further Reference:
-

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Rookery Nook

Synopsis:
Gerald and his cousin Clive are staying at Rookery Nook with various relatives. Gerald's wife has not joined him yet as her mother is ill. That night a young girl, Rhoda, wearing only her pyjamas knocks at the door seeking shelter from her father. they take her in. Of course everyone gets the wrong idea as the boys try to hide the girl and make excuses.

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London   -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  5            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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She Follows Me About

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1943

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Spotted Dick

Synopsis:
there has been a jewel robbery - or possibly not - then again. . .

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1939

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Thark

Synopsis:
Period 1927, a wild night, a sinister butler and plethora of romantic mix ups

Notes:
-

1st Produced:

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French, London,    -

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:
Farce

Parts:
Male:  6            Female:  5            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Thekla

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1935

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Turkey Time

Synopsis:
-

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
-    1931

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:  -            Female:  -            Other:  -

Further Reference:
-

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Wild Horses

Synopsis:
A painting called "Wild Horses" changes hands with great rapidity. Who owns it? Who thinks they own it? And did anybody have the right to sell it on any occasion? Plus that charwoman is no lady. . .

Notes:
-

1st Produced:
Manchester: Opera House    18 Aug 1952

Organisations:
-

1st Published:
Samuel French Ltd, London   -

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:
Farce 3 act

Parts:
Male:  9            Female:  4            Other:  -

Further Reference:
Wearing - the London Stage 52.242

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