Books published by publisher NICK HERN BOOKS

Mark Williams is lost. An astronomer at New York City's Planetarium, he feels a closer connection to the infinite, starry sky than to his job or his wife.After a chance meeting with Angela, a young single mother, the stars appear to have aligned. But when a catastrophic event rips through their lives, Mark is forced to re-evaluate his life, his faith and his place in the universe itself.Kenneth Lonergan's play The Starry Messenger is a bittersweet exploration of love, hope and understanding our place in the universe. It premiered in New York in 2009, and received its UK premiere at Wyndham's Theatre, London, in May 2019, featuring Matthew Broderick and Elizabeth McGovern.

“‘Unstageable’ was the first reaction of the National Theatre’s artistic director, Nicholas Hytner, to the idea of dramatizing His Dark Materials. But last night’s opening night has triumphantly proved him wrong.”—The Sunday TimesNicholas Wright has revisited his adaptation of Philip Pullman’s best-selling fantasy trilogy, tightening and improving it, and this revised version is to be published alongside the reopening in the National Theatre’s 20042005 season.

Arthur Ransome's famous and much-loved children's classic is brought thrillingly to life in Helen Edmundson's wonderfully theatrical adaptation, with 'delightfully catchy and often witty' (Telegraph) songs by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy. When John, Susan, Titty and Roger are granted their wish to set sail on their beloved boat Swallow, they know it will be the summer holiday of a lifetime. But their adventure truly begins when they encounter Nancy and Peggy, the self-proclaimed Amazon Pirates, and the dastardly Captain Flint. 'Warm hearted, affectionate and fun' - Daily Telegraph 'Perfect – a brilliant feat of nerve and humour' - Daily Mail 'Full of wild adventure' - Guardian 'Infectious... Helen Edmundson provides a sprightly script' - Financial Times

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding. This Drama Classics edition of Henrik Ibsen's tragedy of a restless, discontented wife and the impact of her jealous machinations is translated and introduced by Stephen Mulrine.

In a collaboration between the BBC and the Women's Playhouse Trust, this is an opportunity to see the stage production of Aphra Behn's restoration comedy on video. The play chronicles the adventures and misadventures of a group of British cavalier mercenaries in Naples at carnival time. A robust, dynamic and sometimes brutal look at relationships, sexual desires and sexual favours. Included are interviews with Jules Wright, WPT director, and a discussion of the translation from stage to screen.

Charlie Ashanti lives in a future where phones are powered by the sun, cars are banned and companies are more powerful than countries. Charlie is a perfectly normal boy, except for one thing: he can speak to cats. When his parents are kidnapped, he sets off on a rescue mission – with a little help from a floating circus and its pride of performing lions. Based on Zizou Corder's bestselling novels, Marcelo Dos Santos's adaptation fuses storytelling and circus in a gripping tale that provides great opportunities for amateur and school groups looking to perform a magical adventure. Lionboy was commissioned and first produced by award-winning theatre company Complicite in 2013, and was revived in 2014 for an international tour. 'It twinkles with a sense of magical possibility... liveliness, invention and effortless appeal' - The Times 'A wonderfully imaginative adventure' - Evening Standard

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding. All For Love is John Dryden's version of the Antony and Cleopatra story, told as a heroic tragedy. Antony and Octavius Caesar are struggling for control of what was to become the Roman Empire. Antony and Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, are lovers and political allies, but their forces have been defeated at the battle of Actium. The play is set in Alexandria, under siege by Octavius Caesar. Edited and introduced Trevor R. Griffiths.

The NHB Drama Classics series presents the world's greatest plays in affordable, highly readable editions for students, actors and theatregoers. The hallmarks of the series are accessible introductions (focussing on the play's theatrical and historical background, together with an author biography, key dates and suggestions for further reading) and the complete text, uncluttered with footnotes. The translations, by leading experts in the field, are accurate and above all actable. The editions of English-language plays include a glossary of unusual words and phrases to aid understanding. Doctor Faustus tells the classic story of a learned Doctor who sells his soul to the devil. This edition contains two self-contained versions of the play, known as the A-text and the B-text, allowing readers to compare the available versions, and performers to choose the version that suits them best. It also contains a full introduction, notes on further reading, a chronology and a glossary of difficult words. Edited by D.Bevington & E.Rasmussen, and introduced by Simon Trussler.

A simple and delightfully inventive re-telling of the stories from the Arabian Nights. This revised edition was published alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company's production in 2009. It is wedding night in the palace of King Shahrayar. By morning, the new Queen Shahrazad is to be put to death like all the young brides before her. But she has one gift that could save her - the gift of storytelling. With her mischievous imagination, the young Queen spins her dazzling array of tales and characters. On her side are Ali Baba, Es-Sindibad the Sailor and Princess Parizade - adventurers in strange and magical worlds populated by giant beasts, talking birds, devilish ghouls and crafty thieves. But will her silver-tongued stories be enough to enchant her husband and save her life? 'Superb... weaves a potent spell of enchantment as it moves from cruelty to happiness and from the blissfully ribald to the deeply affecting' Telegraph 'A masterful piece of storytelling... a truly magical piece of theatre that delights the senses' Whatsonstage.com 'The family show to see this le' Guardian