Norman Robbins – författare

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This spectacular pantomime, based on an English legend involving real people, was beloved by Victorian audiences and has now been adapted for the 21st century by that master of pantomime - Norman Robbins. With vengeful fairies, knock-about bailiffs, a romantic leading lady and a handsome Principal Boy, plus the outrageous Dame, all the ingredients are here for a wonderful evening's entertainment!