John McCallum's new history explores the relationship between 20th century Australian drama and a developing concept of nation. The book focuses on the creative tension sparked by dueling impulses between nationalism and cosmopolitanism; and between artistic seriousness and larrikin populism. It explores issues such as the domineering influence of European high culture, the ongoing popularity of representational realism, the influence of popular theatrical forms, the ambivalence (between affection and aggression) of much Australian humour and satire, and the interaction between the personal and the political in drama. The strength of "Belonging" is its comprehensiveness, anyone studying an Australian play will find an account of it here in the context of the other works by its author or the time and place in which it was written. As well as a rundown of the major writers and their works, and an account of how the minor writers fitted in, the book also investigates the more obscure plays and writers about whom little has been written. This authoritative study of Australian drama gives an account of the relationship between our theatre and our sense of self while taking into account a broad range of influences that helped to shape both.

In its first 40 years, from conception to maturity, through stages of growth both painful and pleasurable, Downstage - New Zealand's first and longest running regional professional theatre company - has lived an extraordinary life. This large and lavishly illustrated 'biography' is published to celebrate Downstage's birthday. It covers all the drama and larger-than-life personalities that have characterised Downstage's life, and the many great productions such as Colin McColl's internationally acclaimed relocation of Ibsen's Hedda Gabler to Karori. A major contribution to New Zealand's cultural history.

Funny, charming and captivating, with a plot within a plot, and a girl who is looking for love in all the wrong places. 'I loved it! It's got a kind of Bridget Jones feel and such a page turner. Great fun but with such beautiful heart. I've already cast the film/series in my head!' Rebecca Gibney 'A warm and very funny read.' Who, 4 stars Vanessa Rooney is a thirty-something dental hygienist who finds herself a single mum with a hole in her heart where her husband had been. Somehow she finds the courage to fulfil her childhood dream of writing a romance novel but soon discovers that her novel has been plagiarised by her idol, celebrity author Charlotte Lancaster. Vanessa reluctantly sues Charlotte with the help of suburban solicitor Dave Rendall, who's nursing some unfulfilled dreams of his own. When gun QC Marcus Stafford agrees to join their legal team, Vanessa feels like her perfect man has stepped right out of the pages of her book and into her life. As all hell breaks loose publicly and privately, Vanessa confronts a painful past and realises what Dave already knew - that she's an intelligent, funny, amazing woman and Marcus Stafford is, well, a tosspot. Vanessa finally understands that what she wanted wasn't what she needed, but has this realisation come too late?

"A pure delight." ––BookPage (starred review) "Charming, escapist fun." ––Katharine McGee, New York Times bestselling author of American Royals Matrimony meets mayhem in Katy Birchall's The Secret Bridesmaid, a modern British romcom about a young woman charged with pulling off the biggest aristocratic wedding of the year––and the misadventures that ensue. Sophie Breeze is a brilliant bridesmaid. So brilliant, in fact, that she’s made it her full-time job. As a professional bridesmaid, Sophie is hired by London brides to be their right-hand woman, posing as a friend but working behind the scenes to help plan the perfect wedding and ensure their big day goes off without a hitch. When she’s hired by Lady Victoria Swann––a former model and “It Girl" of 1970’s London; now the Marchioness of Meade––for the society wedding of the year, it should be a chance for Sophie to prove just how talented she is. Of course, it’s not ideal that the bride, Lady Victoria’s daughter, Cordelia, is an absolute diva and determined to make Sophie’s life a nightmare. It’s also a bit inconvenient that Sophie finds herself drawn to Cordelia’s posh older brother, who is absolutely off limits. But when a rival society wedding is announced for the very same day, things start to get...well, complicated. Can Sophie pull off the biggest challenge of her career––execute a high-profile gala for four hundred and fifty guests in record time, win over a reluctant bride, and catch the eye of handsome Lord Swann––all while keeping her true identity a secret, and her dignity intact? Heartwarming and hilarious, Katy Birchall's The Secret Bridesmaid celebrates the joys (and foibles) of weddings, the nuances of female friendship, and the redeeming power of love in its many unexpected forms.

Secret Bridesmaids' Business is a seriously funny play that exposes the hysteria that can arise as the wedding juggernaut threatens to swerve out of control. (1 male, 5 female). It's My Party (& I'll Die If I Want To)-- Ron Patterson has only 111 minutes left to live and he invites the kids around for sausage rolls, salads and a bit of quality time. As he attempts to tie up the loose ends of his life, all the juicy neuroses of his very dysfunctional family come to the fore. (3 male, 3 female).

Kendra doesn’t need rescued. Kendra Maddox isn’t thrilled when Stetson Wright steps in to help fend off her overanxious date at a wedding. A new Christian, she’s struggling with a promiscuous past, and Stetson’s firm belief that true love waits only makes his gallant attempt to defend her honor even more unwanted. Then her friends continually push her and Stetson together. . .but can’t they see she’ll never be good enough for him? Stetson doesn’t need any distractions. And Kendra Maddox is definitely a distraction. From his job as the new youth director at church to moonlighting as a rodeo clown, Stetson has other things to think about. Finding the perfect wife will have to wait. When Stetson saves a prominent bull rider, he makes headline news, and Kendra’s ad agency is hired to promote the rodeo hero. Attraction simmers, but will they be able to accept each other for who God sees?