Notes from a Small Island - (stage version)

Bill Bryson

Summary

'So, if you Americans already have cornflakes and Woolworths, what brings you to England?'
It's 1973, and a young man from Des Moines, Iowa, has arrived on the ferry at Dover. He intends to conquer the whole of the island, like Caesar attempted before him.
But Caesar didn't have to deal with counterpanes, kippers, Cadbury's Curly Wurlies, or Mrs Smegma the landlady's eccentric house rules. As Bill travels the length and breadth of Britain, through villages with names like Titsey and Little Dribbling, something strange starts to happen. Can it be true? Is he really starting to feel at home?
Bill Bryson's smash-hit memoir Notes from a Small Island spent three years in The Sunday Times bestseller list, sold over two million copies, and was voted the book which best represents the UK.
Tim Whitnall's hilarious stage adaptation was first produced at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in 2023. Written for an ensemble cast of seven (but suitable for a cast of dozens), it will appeal to amateur drama groups as a glorious celebration of one of the nation's most beloved books, and a brilliant dissection of the enduring quirks of our small island.

Available since: 03/02/2023.

Print length: 120 pages.

Poetry & Theatre

Other books that might interest you

The Poetry of Hart Crane -...

Hart Crane

Harold Hart Crane was born on the 21st July 1899 in Garrettsville, Ohio.
Crane was drawn to literature at an early age, becoming a voracious reader and pursuing self-education rather than attach himself to a more formal college education, although he did attend East High School in 1913. His developing love of poetry was nurtured with the works of the English Romantics and the French Symbolists, as well as near contemporary American poets.
Much of his youth was spent shuttling between Cleveland and New York as his parents’ marriage descended into continuing conflict before they separated with Crane still in his teens. Shortly after Crane attempted to enlist in the U S Military but was rejected for being a minor.
His first published poem also came in 1917 with ‘C33’ and its reference to the cell number that Oscar Wilde was incarcerated in.
Crane now centred more of his time in New York and immersed himself in the vibrant artistic scene of Greenwich Village. Alongside this he dabbled in various jobs to support himself, including copywriting and work in a munitions factory, as he continued to develop his ambitions for a poetic career.
His early work was already being noticed for its lush and rich use of words and by the time ‘White Buildings’ was published in 1926 he was being critically acclaimed.
Despite this success his personal life was troubled. It was both nourishing his work and fuelling complex patterns of despair as he sought to establish his identity. In a time when homosexuality was openly condemned his openly gay attitude sat uneasily as he pursued relationships that were both intense and emotionally fraught.
His acclaimed work ‘The Bridge’ in 1930 was both ambitious and a foundation stone for new American poetry. Against this his battles with depression and alcoholism were being lost.
Hart Crane died on the 27th April 1932 by jumping from the deck of a steamship into the Gulf of Mexico upon his return to the United States. He was 32.

Show book

REVENGE: After the Levoyah

Nick Cassenbaum

At their grandfather's funeral in Essex, twins Dan and Lauren meet Malcolm Spivack, a disgruntled eighty-year-old Jewish ex-gangster with a plan that's absolutely meshugge.
What ensues is a ragtag Yiddishe heist to kidnap a certain leader of the Labour Party and hold him accountable for all the antisemitic ailments of the diaspora… and anything else they can think of…
REVENGE: After the Levoyah is a daring satire about antisemitism, the dangers of collective hysteria, and how far a nonagenarian can throw a jar of chraine from a moving vehicle. Revenge is a dish best served pickled.
Written by Nick Cassenbaum and directed by Emma Jude Harris, it was first performed at Summerhall during the 2024 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where it won a Fringe First Award and a Summerhall Lustrum Award, and transferred to The Yard Theatre, London, in 2025.

Show book

Thoughts of an Interracial...

Lisa Renee Hutchins, Summer...

Interracial families are more common than ever, yet their unique stories often remain untold. This transparent poetry collection offers a deeply personal glimpse into my journey—growing up in a predominantly single-race family, navigating the intricacies of interracial relationships, and raising biracial children. Through honest and unfiltered reflections, I delve into the joys, challenges, and struggles in building an interracial family, while also celebrating the love, cultural connection and sense of belonging that makes this journey meaningful. 
What makes this audiobook truly special is the contribution of my daughter, Summer Renee Crowell, who courageously shares her perspective being a biracial child in a beautifully written chapter. There are a few collaborative poems woven throughout the collection adding even more depth and richness to this exploration of love and realities we experienced together. 
Take a moment to step into our world. Listen, and discover our journey through diversity, resilience, and the beauty of growing together as one. 
Look for all of Lisa Renee Hutchins books. 
Poetry Books 
Thoughts of a Married Woman, The Reflections of My Heart 
Thoughts of a Single Mother, The Reflections of My Soul 
Thoughts of a Closet Freak, The Reflections of My Desires 
Thoughts of Healing Families, The Reflections of Their Grief 
Children's Books 
Baby Cakes: New Year's Confetti Fun Cake 
Baby Cakes: Valentine Sprinkles of Love Cupcakes

Show book

Samuel Takes a Break - in Male...

Rhianna Ilube

'Every one of us will be here for a different particular reason. I am here because I am passionate about history.'
It is 2019, the Year of Return, marking four hundred years since the first enslaved Africans arrived in America. We are at a slave castle in Ghana. Samuel is our tour guide. It's his job to give tourists a really, really authentic experience of the castle's dark history, and to do it all with a smile. Thank you, Samuel!
The tourists are Samuel's guests, and they're on a journey of self-discovery. But they're here, standing on soil, blood and bones, asking for a selfie. They want to buy trinkets from the gift shop. Samuel would never want to hurt the tourists. And they would never want to hurt him.
Rhianna Ilube's Samuel Takes a Break… in Male Dungeon No. 5 After a Long but Generally Successful Day of Tours is a genre-blending play about colonialism, identity and the attempt to preserve the past. It was shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Playwriting and the Verity Bargate Award, and was a finalist for the 2024 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. It premiered at The Yard Theatre, London, in 2024, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike.

Show book

Kitty McCrae - A Galloping Rhyme

Barcroft Boake

LibriVox volunteers bring you 6 recordings of Kitty McCrae - A Galloping Rhyme by Barcroft Henry Boake. This was the fortnightly poetry project for April 19th, 2009.

Show book

Software Tarmacs : The Road Ahead

Mike Blake

Software Tarmacs :: The Road Ahead.Looking into the future, our decisions will increasingly be made by AI. Who knows where it will lead.As software tarmacs the road ahead !To contact the Author: Please add me Mike Miko on Facebook & then message me, thanks.https://www.facebook.com/mike.cco1 I will then contact the Author your behalf.or on Twitter: miko_1_dollar ~ Tumblr : ccobes ~ Instagram: Wild_Poetrys  //  wild_poetry_websTikTok: @wild_poetrys  - mikecharliechaplinsofficeWebsite: www.wild-poetry.com Facebook: WOW https://www.facebook.com/wow.fact

Show book