Showing results by publisher "The Copyright Group" in Drama & Plays

Thanks to the mindless actions of Teddy Deakin, a group of mismatched rail passengers find themselves stranded in a dark and isolated station, having missed the last connection of the night. Tales of superstition prevail as the local station master - unable to persuade them to leave - reveals that very night, 20 years ago, a train crashed leaving a number of passengers dead. Legend has it, that the station is still haunted as the train relives its final moments as it roars through the station to its demise.

Rumi, claimed as the national poet of Iran, Turkey & Afghanistan had an early life dedicated to scholarly studies. He only started to write poetry after encountering a holy man called Shams whose subsequent death instilled a profound grief in Rumi and an outpouring of many thousands of verses in Persian. He also intrinsically linked with Sufism.

Macbeth, a general of the army of Duncan, King of Scotland, rises through the ranks after victory over the rebel MacDonald. Inspired by three witches' prediction that he would become king, he and his wife murder Duncan, and he becomes King of Scotland himself. The heir, Malcolm, flees to England, where he is joined by Macduff, the loyal Thane of Fife.

From its opening amid the horrors of the French Revolution, to its unexpected ending on the shores of the English Channel, The Scarlet Pimpernel fizzes with excitement and wit. Dominating the action is the apparently limp-wristed fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, the most unlikely, though the most gentlemanly of heroes. With a happy countenance Sir Percy outwits all the machinations of Chauvelin, the zealous Revolutionary official, to help nobles escape.

Oscar winning performances contributed to this moving war movie's status as a classic and once again Greer Garson shows why she deserved such an honour. Based in England, the Minivers are a middle class family who are forced to cope with small inconveniences and great tragedies that emerge at the outbreak of World War II. Through all this, their son courts Lady Beldonï¿¿ï¿¿s granddaughter.

One of Shakespeare’s most popular plays is here performed by The Marlowe Society with Anthony Jacobs, Corin Redgrave, Paul Scofield and many other very fine actors. The story itself follows on from that of Shakespeare’s Richard II (also available in this series) and begins with Hotspur's battle at Homildon against the Douglas late in 1402 and ends with the defeat of the rebels at Shrewsbury in the middle of 1403.

This family tragedy, soaked in blood, deceit, and betrayal is at the pinnacle of Shakespeare's works and a true epic of English theatre. This performance by Sir Alec Guinness and fellow actors from London's Old vic Company is spellbinding. A rare treat for Shakespeare lovers and the performances of great actors.

Tagore was a true Renaissance man, distinguishing himself as a gifted philosopher, social and political reformer as well as a popular author in all literary genres. His most famous poem, extracts of which are recorded here, is Gitanjali which earned him the distinction of the first Asian writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.

Shakespeare's play is often cited as the greatest of all plays. The tragic life of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is brought to stunning life by Sir john Gielgud and his fellow actors of London's Old Vic Company. A rare treat for Shakespeare lovers and the performances of great actors.

Christopher Marlow's play based on the Faust story of a man selling his soul to the devil, has fascinated and divided critics throughout the ages since its first performance in Elizabethan England. The central character's thirst for knowledge and power throws up essential questions of morality, life and death. Compulsive listening as this exceptionally brilliant play of verse and prose is finely executed by Frank Silvera and cast.

The Merchant of Venice, though featuring its title character heavily, is most memorable for the Jewish merchant Shylock, who insists on a pound of flesh when a debt cannot be repaid in time.

Inevitably, love features as the money borrowed by Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, is for his friend, Bassiano, who wishes to woo the beautiful and talented Portia, who ultimately provides a clever solution and saves Antonio's life.

Judy Garland reprises her role as Dorothy as she and her dog, Toto, are caught up in a tornado in their hometown of Kansas. It takes them to a strange and beautiful land called Oz.

The Importance of Being Earnest is undoubtably Oscar Wilde's best known play probably due to its sharp wit that cannot help but enchant and entertain any reader, theatregoer or listener with this performance.

Gifted playwright George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan is based on the life and trials of Joan of Arc whose canonisation occurred shortly before he wrote this play. Based on both substantial information of her life in Medieval France and records of her trial, Shaw characterizes this unique woman caught between the forces of the Church and law in this classic production with a strong cast supporting Siobhan McKenna's fine interpretation of this tragic heroine.

Raskolnikov, a destitute and desperate former student, wanders through the slums of St Petersburg and commits a random murder without remorse or regret. He imagines himself to be a great man, a Napoleon: acting for a higher purpose beyond conventional moral law. But as he embarks on a dangerous game of cat and mouse with a suspicious police investigator, Raskolnikov is pursued by the growing voice of his conscience and finds the noose of his own guilt tightening around his neck.

As You Like It is one of Shakespeare's comedies featuring women dressed as men, brothers reconciling, and wrongs put to right.

The fair Rosalind falls in love with the strong Orlando and Rosalind's companion to Orlando's brother. Told here as a fairy tale, it makes a perfect introduction to Shakespeare for youngsters and the uninitiated alike.

A Midsummer Night's Dream is a delightful tale of true love having to struggle against duty and pride. It has three separate interlocking stories set in Athens, woodland and the realm of the fairies - all under a moonlit night.

Norma Desmond was a silent screen goddess but in fifties Hollywood lives as an isolated recluse in a crumbling Sunset Boulevard mansion. Joe Gillis, with William Holden again playing his film role, is a down on his heels screen writer who moves into the mansion to supposedly write her comeback movie and becomes her lover. When Joe becomes interested in a young aspiring actress, Norma becomes insanely jealous, leading to a tragic ending in this gripping classic.

In this Holllywood Stage presentation we find Dantes still loyal to Napoleon in exile on Elba, he carries a message from him but is intercepted and imprisoned without trial. Whilst in prison his fiancé is told he has died and is forced to marry his arch enemy, Count Mondego. Dantes rots in prison for many years but is then helped by Abbe Faria, who leaves him the treasure of Monte Cristo and assists him in escaping prison.

The play Don Juan in Hell originated as Act 3, Scene 2, of Man and Superman and is a spirited debate between Heaven and Hell. It was written by Irish playwright and a master of social commentary George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950), who is probably most famous for Pygmalion amongst his 60 plays. This famous performance features Charles Boyer as Don Juan, Charles Laughton as the Devil, Cedric Hardwicke as the Commander, and Agnes Moorehead as Doña Ana.