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MARK WHEELLER (1958 - ) |
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Nationality: British Email: Click here to contact Website: Click here to visit |
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Literary Agent: MBA Literary Agents Ltd |
Mark Wheeller has been writing plays since his schooldays at Marlwood Comprehensive School, Bristol. Five of his plays (Punch, Gate Escape, Chicken, Legal Weapon and Arson About) tour regularly into schools. Since 2003 his plays have been in the top 3 most popular texts for the Edexcel GCSE Drama examinations in Great Britain. Too Much Punch For Judy is possibly the most performed contemporary play having been performed more than once a day (on average) since it was written in 1987. Mark lives and works in Southampton, and runs the Oaklands Youth Theatre who trial most of his new plays. He is an original Glamrock fan, had an article published in the Mott The Hoople fanzine Two Miles from Heaven (Issue 2) and is an occasional contributor to the Bowienet message boards!!! His glam backgrounds is explored in his successful 2005 play Sequinned Suits and Platform Boots.
Plays by Mark Wheeller
Arson About | ||
| 1st Produced: | - - - | 2005 | ||||
Company: | StopWaTheatre Companyh Theatre Company | |||||
| 1st Published: | Nelson Thornes Superscripts Series (ISBN 0748790101), 2004 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #16477 | |||
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: | TIE, 75 min Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | Simple composite set | |||||
Synopsis: | Molly's boyfriend, Ian, is accused of writing threatening notes to his teacher. Shuttle is outcast by other teenagers. Ian wants to know who is writing the notes. Along with Molly and his friend Stueey they break into the school to investigate. Shuttle is spotted at a petrol station buying petrol. Molly, wanting to do the right thing leaves the boys in the school, but becomes unexpectedly trapped. By the end of the evening the school has been set on fire. Shuttle is at home peacefully asleep in his bed. Ian and Stueey are both in custody and Molly has been killed in the fire. Arson About is a contemporary tragedy caused by what is described by the characters in the play as "just arsing about". It has many physical/stylised and fast paced scenes juxtaposed with more poignant naturalistic scenes. For anyone who has liked the style of Marks other plays this is really worth investigation. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Birth Mother | ||
| 1st Produced: | - - - | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #43025 | |||
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: | 80 min Play/Drama | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | We are the sum of our past but we don't need to live there. Linda has a secret. Although her husband, Ringo knows about it, her daughter, Alyson, remains unaware. Suddenly a letter arrives which leads to an incredible reunion of Linda and her Birth Daughter. The secret is revealed. This prompts Linda into a re-evaluation of the way in which she treats her daughter Alyson. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Blackout - One Evacuee in Thousands | ||
| 1st Produced: | Stantonbury Theatre, Milton Keynes | 1982 | ||||
Company: | Stantonbury Campus Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | ISBN/ASIN: | - | ||||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36846 | |||
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: | 90 min Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | The more the merrier! | |||||
Notes: | Music: Mark Wheeller. Lyrics: Lesley Griffiths; Nick Mason; Kevin Rimell; Mark & Rachel Wheeller; Steven Wyatt | |||||
Synopsis: | Rachel's parents are determined that the war will not split their family up. After refusing to have her evacuated in 1939 they do so mid way through 1940. At first Rachel does not settle, but after the death of her mother in London during The Battle of Britain she becomes increasingly at home with her billets in Northamptonshire. When her father requests that she return she wants to stay where she feels at home. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Chunnel Of Love | ||
| 1st Produced: | Sunday Times/BBC National Student Drama Festival. | 1993 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | ZigZag Education, Unit 3, Greenway Business Centre, Doncaster Road, Bristol, BS10 5PY, 2005 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #43026 | |||
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: | 100 min Play/Drama | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 8 | Female | 11 | ||
Parts other: | 6 m/f | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | A bi-lingual play (80% English & French). Lucy is fourteen. Everything in life is going well for her. She hopes to become a vet and is working hard to gain good grades in her GCSE exams. Suddenly these plans are thrown into confusion as she discovers she is pregnant. She faces a series of major decisions, not least of which is what to tell the father - a French boy she met on the School Exchange. Professional & amateur rights are available . | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Dan Nolan - Missing | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 2002 | ||||
Company: | Oaklands Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 2003 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36851 | |||
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: | TIE Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | This play tells the tragic story of Dan Nolan from Hampshire who tragically disappeared following a night fishing trip on January 1st 2002. In May 2003 some bones were found some 50 miles away in Swanage. DNA tests have established that these bones belong to Dan. Dan's family believe his tragic story offers important lessons for life. . . and they also hope that performances of this play may lead to more information being unearthed which will help to establish his last movements | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Gate Escape, The | ||
| 1st Produced: | Basingstoke | 2002 | ||||
Company: | Haymarket Theatre Basingstoke | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 2004 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36847 | |||
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: | TIE, 55 min Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | Opportunities for multi-media work | |||||
Synopsis: | The story centres on Corey who becomes "addicted" to, and Chalkie who is an occassional truant(ing). The play explores their past on the day of their final truant together when they are greeted by a surreal Big Brother like figure who sets them a task. The loser will be in for some dramatic Big Bother. . . who will lose. . . what will this bother be? | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Graham - World's Fastest Blindman | ||
| 1st Produced: | Edinburgh Fringe Festival >>> under a different title | 2001 | ||||
Company: | Eastleigh Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 2002 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36848 | |||
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: | 80 min Play/Drama | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 5 | Female | 4 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | A play telling the amazing true life story of World Champion Blind Athlete Graham Salmon MBE who sadly died in 1999. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Growing Up And I'm Fine | ||
| 1st Produced: | Edinburgh Fringe Festival >>> under a different title | 2004 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | I don't think it has been published. Try emailing Playwright or Agent where listed at top of page. | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #43027 | |||
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: | Comic Fantasy, 80 min Comedy | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 3 | Female | 3 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | superceded by Sequinned Suits and Platform Boots | |||||
Synopsis: | A comic fantasy inspired by the music of the early seventies, focussing particularly on that of David Bowie and his lead guitarist of the time, Mick Ronson. Billy Porter is a young music fan and accepts a highly unusual mission realising that the consequences he will pay if unsuccessful, will be of the very highest order. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Hard To Swallow | ||
| 1st Produced: | Edinburgh Fringe Festival >>> under a different title | 1989 | ||||
Company: | StopWaTheatre Companyh Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 1999 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36849 | |||
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: | 70 min Play/Drama | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 3 | ||
Parts other: | The play can BF performed with a cast of up to about 50! | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | Hard To Swallow is based on the life and death of an anorexic girl, Catherine Dunbar told mainly through the words of Catherine and her family. It charts Catherine's uneven battle with her illness and her families difficulties in coping with all that Anorexia means | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Kill Jill | ||
| 1st Produced: | Birmingham Young Rep Theatre | 2005 | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | Dbda, 2007 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #67453 | |||
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: | One Act | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | 1 | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | Big Brother meets Kill Bill meets Jack (of Beanstalk fame) meets Tony Martin. . . Mix these together to create Kill Jill. exploring the hot topical issues of homeowners defending themselves, and asks how far can Reality TV be allowed to go? Jack, has been repeatedly robbing George at the top of the beanstalk. His final visit is different in two ways. First: With Jack, is his girlfriend, Jill, (of course) who is co-incidentally the latest victim in Reality Lottery, a fictional TV transmission where people are forced (selected by a Lottery) to participate in a Reality Show, a futuristic form of National Service& to entertainment. Secondly George has chosen this day to lay in wait for the young thieves armed with a shotgun. The ending is suitably Tarantinoesque. Kill Jill raises issues of rights and responsibilities (Jack, Giant, Jill and the also TV crew filming the reality show). KILL JILL is full of imaginative techniques and makes for a thoroughly entertaining Theatre production. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Legal Weapon | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 1996 | ||||
Company: | Ape Theatre Company | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 1999 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36850 | |||
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: | 60 min One Act | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | It tells the story of a young man whose negligence behind the wheel causes the loss of a life and the loss of his freedom. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Most Absurd Xmas Musical In the World Ever!, The | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 1994 | ||||
Company: | Oaklands Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | ISBN/ASIN: | - | ||||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36852 | |||
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: | Youth Musical, 90 min Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | The more the merrier! | |||||
Notes: | Script & Lyrics: Mark Wheeller, Lyndsey Adams, Michael Johnston & Stuart White. Music: James Holmes | |||||
Synopsis: | Eat your heart our Ionesco! If you want a musical with a message. . . don't consider this one! If you want an absurd alternative to your traditional Xmas Pantomime . . . or hugely ALTERNATIVE Summer Show . . . look no further than this! Santa fails to arrive one year in The Bower of Bliss. Why not? A shortage of carrots perhaps? Or is it because the central character is forbidden to play her music and whose parents want to disguise her as a cactus so that no-one can suspect her special gifts??? And where did that Pantomime cow come from?? Never fear it all ends remarkably happily. It is a bundle of laughs and includes a sackload of original songs. Who could possibly miss such a bizarre Xmas entertainment?!? Originally conceived as a Promenade production . . . but would suit a variety of stages & groups. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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No Place For A Girl | ||
| 1st Produced: | - - - | - - - | ||||
Company: | n/a | |||||
| 1st Published: | ISBN/ASIN: | - | ||||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #43028 | |||
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: | 90 min Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 11 | Female | 11 | ||
Parts other: | - | |||||
Notes: | Music & Lyrics: Brian Price | |||||
Synopsis: | The true story of Southampton girl Sarah Stanbury and her struggle to gain recognition as a soccer player. Just like her Dad, Sarah, or "Sedge" as she is known to most people, has always liked football . . . her Mother hates it! Despite her talent, the football authorities prevent her from playing for her school. Nevertheless her ambition remains firm and by the age of 16 she has become a regular first team member of a Womens' Football Association adult Super-League Club and an England Womens' Under 21 International. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Sequinned Suits and Platform Boots | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Youth Theatre | 2004 | ||||
Company: | Oaklands Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | escript by Maverick Musicals in Australia: http://www.mavmuse.com/default.asp, | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36853 | |||
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: | 55 min One Act | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 5 | Female | 5 | ||
Parts other: | 2 m/f | |||||
Notes: | aka Stars Look Different Today-Ay, The. Ideal vehicle for any mixed age group. Growing up and I'm Fine has been superceded by Sequinned Suits and Platform Boots | |||||
Synopsis: | A One Act Play set against the backdrop of Pop Music of the 70s (T. Rex to the Sex Pistols) and charts the life of one music fans desire to make his own impact on the Music business. Originally written as a highly successful Two Act tribute to David Bowie (Ziggy's Band) the story now incorporates a wider range of music from this colourful era. It has also been edited to be eligible for One Act Play Festivals. It is ideal material for any theatre group with members who are fans of early seventies music. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Sweet FA! | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 2000 | ||||
Company: | StopWaTheatre Companyh Theatre Company | |||||
| 1st Published: | ISBN/ASIN: | - | ||||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36854 | |||
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: | Youth TIE, 45 min Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 3 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | A play telling the true life story of Sarah Stanbury whose ambition it was to play soccer for England. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Too Much Punch For Judy | ||
| 1st Produced: | Edinburgh Festival (under a different title) | 1986 | ||||
Company: | Ape Theatre Company | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 1999 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36855 | |||
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: | 50 min One Act | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | 5m 5f & 3 others without doubling. | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | A hard hitting Documentary Play telling the true life story of a young girl who kills her sister in a drink/drive related incident. Ten years later she went on to be responsible for another death in a road accident where she was not only drunk but had cannabis in her bloodstream | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Wacky Soap | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 2000 | ||||
Company: | Oaklands Youth Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 2001 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36856 | |||
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: | Musical | |||||
| Parts: | Male | - | Female | - | ||
Parts other: | The more the merrier! | |||||
Notes: | Script and Lyrics: Mark Wheeller. Music: James Holmes | |||||
Synopsis: | Wacky Soap is a Pythonesque allegorical tale set in the fictional Bower of Bliss. It makes a lively alternative to the traditional Pantomime, but could equally be presented at any time of year. The invention of Wacky Soap surprises the people of Bower of Bliss. While washing with it initially brings happiness and a wackly ability to present amazing elephant impressions, prolonged use washes limbs away and ultimately leads to complete dematerialisation!!! | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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Why Did The Chicxken Cross The Road? | ||
| 1st Produced: | Oaklands Theatre | 1993 | ||||
Company: | StopWaTheatre Companyh Theatre | |||||
| 1st Published: | dbda, 1999 | ISBN/ASIN: | - | |||
| Music: | - | doollee no | #36857 | |||
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: | TIE Youth Audience | |||||
| Parts: | Male | 2 | Female | 2 | ||
Parts other: | doubling | |||||
Notes: | - | |||||
Synopsis: | This play tells the story of two cousins, Tammy and Chris. It leads the audience to believe that by the end Chris will be killed in a cycle accident because of his refusal to wear a cycle helmet. Ultimately it is Tammy who is killed in a stupid game of Chicken on the one morning that the cousins do not cycle to school. Chris is unable to tell anyone else about his part in the accident and has to live with his dreadful secret. Full of lively comedy, cultural references, excellent opportunities for inventive direction and a very nasty sting in the tail. | |||||
Further Reference: | - | |||||
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