This tool is unavailable at the moment. Please try again later.
Start planning your production with a cost estimate you can save and share with your team. Just answer a few questions.
This estimator is only for amateur productions. Professional customers should contact the Licensing department directly to enquire about a title's availability: [email protected]
Important: The cost quoted is an estimate only and may differ when you apply for a licence.
A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Full-Length Play, Drama / 2w, 6m
By Michael MorpurgoAdapted by Simon Reade
Simon Reade’s stage adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s war story celebrates the triumph of a spirited French community who stubbornly resist their invading aggressor by smuggling refugee Jewish children across the border into Spain.
The foothills of the French Pyrenees during the Second World War. Jo Lalande’s village is occupied by German soldiers guarding the frontier to neutral Spain. While he is tending his family’s flock of sheep (his father is absent, a prisoner of war), Jo follows a bear cub into the woods, where he spies a stranger. Following him to a remote hill-farm belonging to the reclusive widow, Madame Horcada, Jo learns their dangerous secret: together they smuggle Jewish children, refugees from the war and the Holocaust, escaping over the border and into Spain. All the while, hoping against hope, they wait for their lost daughter and granddaughter, Anya. Sworn to secrecy, Jo risks everything – until the very German soldier he has befriended looks set to betray him.
Michael Morpurgo’s war story celebrates the triumph of a spirited community who stubbornly resist their invading aggressor. This new adaptation marks his tenth collaboration with Simon Reade over the past 20 years, after The Mozart Question (Bristol Old Vic); Toro! Toro! (Salisbury Playhouse); Twist of Gold (Polka); On Angel Wings (NoMasters); the critically acclaimed An Elephant in the Garden (Poonamallee Productions); the Private Peaceful film (Goldcrest) and other stage plays (West End/Off-Broadway/Dublin/world tours).
Waiting for Anya was commissioned by the Barn Theatre, Cirencester and received its world premiere in March 2023.
The Village of LescunJO LALANDE – teenage GRANDPA, HENRI LALANDE – 60s (pronounced O[n]-ree)MAMA, LISE LALANDE – 30s (pronounced Leez) PAPA, PIERRE LALANDE – 30sFATHER LASALLE – the village priest and church organist
The Mountains SOLOMON HOROVITZ – 30sWIDOW HORCADA, ALICE – 60s (pronounced A-leece)LÉAH – the same age as Jo (pronounced Lay-ah) ANYA – the same age as Jo (pronounced An-yah)
The Germans LIEUTENANT WEISSMANN (pronounced Vice-mann) CORPORAL, WILHELM – 50s (pronounced Vill-helm) SOLDIER
The play can be performed by at least as many performers as there are characters – or a virtue can be made a of a tight-knit, multi-role-playing ensemble of around eight. NB Jo is on stage pretty much throughout.
VILLAGERS, SOLDIERS, CHILDREN, ANIMALS, etc., can be played by everyone.
The foothills of the Pyrenees in Nazi-occupied France. WWII.
“Inventive, atmospheric… respectful and imaginative.” – The Stage
“[It] does a whole lot with a little.” – Swindon Advertiser
Michael Morpurgo began writing stories in the early ’70s, in response to the children in his class at the primary school where he taught in Kent. One of the UK’s best-loved authors and storytellers, Michael was appointed Children’s Laureate in 2003. He has written ...
by Multiple Authors
Multiple Authors
by David Wood, Michelle M...
David Wood, Michelle Magorian
by Frances Goodrich, Albe...
Frances Goodrich, Albert Hackett