Buying A Book Problem

[cassa333]

Hi,

I am trying to buy a copy of And This was Odd by Kenneth Horne but can only find second hand ones on amazon.

Does anyone know or can point me in the right direction for finding a new copy please?

I have been trawling the internet for two hours and keep getting stuck in the same loop of results that get me no nearer to finding it.

Thank you :)

[Fitzer]

According to Amazon it's out of print so you'd have to be incredibly lucky to find a copy.

[Buenchico]

The vast majority of books remain in print for less than five years unless there's considerable demand for a reprint or for a new edition. (Indeed, these days, many books don't even stay in print for a full year before they're 'remaindered').

Given that the work you're seeking was originally published in 1946 (under the title "Wasn't it Odd?") and then republished (as "And This Was Odd") in 1952, it's probably been out of print for around 60 years.

It's doubtful that the publisher (The English Theatre Guild) would even have a copy, and given that they seem not to have existed since 2008 anyway (and googling finds no reference to a successor company) it would seem to be impossible to contact them.

You're task would probably have been impossible in 1964. Fifty years later I'd regard it as totally impossible. So it's secondhand or nothing. Sorry!

[cassa333]

OK thatnk you.

Considering it is supposed to be a popular am dram play it does seem a bit odd not to be able to get new copies.

The one copy we have won't go round the whole cast :(

Good job it's not my job get them lol

[hc4361]

As you want it for a play, try searching for script instead of book.

There are copies of the script available here:
http://victoriahallads.com/tag/bolton-amateur-dramatics/

http://www.playbureau.com/details.php?item=72049

[chrissa1]

The "used" books for sale on Amazon are of usually quite good quality. They are better than nothing. I would go for it.

[Buenchico]

Now we know why you want the play, I'll try a bit of lateral thinking:

Am-dram societies which have previously put on the play must have faced the same problem. Indeed, it's likely that that they've got piles of scripts left over from their own productions. So why not contact them for assistance?

The Fairlight Players (East Sussex) presented the play in November 2012:
[email protected]

The Dorrington Players (Church Stretton) put it on in November 2009:
Contact form here: http://dorringtonplayers.wordpress.com/comments-contact-2/

[cassa333]

Thank you for all your suggestions I shall pass on the info and see if she can get enough copies :)

[Prudie]

Of course you could illegally photocopy the one you have.

[cassa333]

Copying isn't the only problem, we will also need to get a licience to perform as well and finding out where that comes from will be tricky as well!!

[hc4361]

Don't turn a drama in to a crisis, cassa :D

As Buenochico suggests, contact an am-dram soc that has already performed the play. I bet you will get lots of help and advice about scripts and performance rights.