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Silly Cow
Doris Wallace, bitchy queen of the tabloid press, is on the verge of a glorious venture in TV. She's not going to let anything get in her way, not even the silly cow suing her for libel. Any skeletons she may have in her cupboard are, like her bondage gear, firmly locked up - or so she thinks.
90 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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About the author
Ben Elton
65Ìýbooks1,402ÌýfollowersBen Elton was born on 3 May 1959, in Catford, South London. The youngest of four, he went to Godalming Grammar school, joined amateur dramatic societies and wrote his first play at 15. He wanted to be a stagehand at the local theatre, but instead did A-Level Theatre Studies and studied drama at Manchester University in 1977.
His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past twenty years. His ground breaking work as a TV stand-up comedian set the (high) standard of what was to follow. He has received accolades for his hit TV sit-coms, The Young Ones, Blackadder and The Thin Blue Line.
More recently he has had successes with three hit West End musicals, including the global phenomenon We Will Rock You. He has written three plays for the London stage, including the multi-award-winning Popcorn. Ben's international bestselling novels include Stark, Inconceivable, Dead Famous and High Society. He won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award for the novel Popcorn.
Elton lives in Perth with his Aussie wife Sophie and three children.
His career as both performer and writer encompasses some of the most memorable and incisive comedy of the past twenty years. His ground breaking work as a TV stand-up comedian set the (high) standard of what was to follow. He has received accolades for his hit TV sit-coms, The Young Ones, Blackadder and The Thin Blue Line.
More recently he has had successes with three hit West End musicals, including the global phenomenon We Will Rock You. He has written three plays for the London stage, including the multi-award-winning Popcorn. Ben's international bestselling novels include Stark, Inconceivable, Dead Famous and High Society. He won the Crime Writers' Association Gold Dagger Award for the novel Popcorn.
Elton lives in Perth with his Aussie wife Sophie and three children.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 5, 2022
Even the author, in his introduction, states this could and SHOULD have been judiciously cut - and that much of the first act is just a set-up for what transpires in the second. The big 'twist' which happens is rather fun - but then the joke is repeated too many times. But I am sure Dawn French knocked the titular role out of the damn theatre!
October 27, 2012
Bit of an assignment this, but shouldn't take long!
Done ... Does what it says on the tin.
Done ... Does what it says on the tin.
December 14, 2021
More of a 3.5*
This is the sort of play where you are just waiting for the main character to get their comeupance. I think this would be such a fun play to do. I read on the back that Dawn French had played the main character so I loved reading it in her voice.
I think it was well crafted and funny, but just not my personal taste. I found it dragged a little in the middle, especially when I thought I had clocked the big twist. I was right but only partly so I found the end a lot of fun.
The main character is a lesbian so there is some good commentary on how the press would react to that. She is however not a very nice person (not due to her being gay), so probably not the sort of book to look for if you are looking for good representation.
This is the sort of play where you are just waiting for the main character to get their comeupance. I think this would be such a fun play to do. I read on the back that Dawn French had played the main character so I loved reading it in her voice.
I think it was well crafted and funny, but just not my personal taste. I found it dragged a little in the middle, especially when I thought I had clocked the big twist. I was right but only partly so I found the end a lot of fun.
The main character is a lesbian so there is some good commentary on how the press would react to that. She is however not a very nice person (not due to her being gay), so probably not the sort of book to look for if you are looking for good representation.
January 11, 2021
Oh, very, very good. I’m perhaps biased as an actor but the satire absolutely GOT me. Nothing groundbreaking but I didn’t expect the metatheatrical twist. Elton clearly had a real bone to pick with critics and damn, it resonated with me. Not sure how it would fare to a non theatrical audience but made me giggle all the same.
July 29, 2011
Delightfully wicked and full of surprises! One of the better farces I've read in the last few years. Laughed out loud while I was reading it and got my mind off of having a nasty summer cold. Would love to see this performed some day, or better yet... would love to direct it myself. A fantastic forgotten hit that needs to be brought back.
July 2, 2017
An enjoyable if unexceptional farce about a selfish journalist played in the West End by Dawn French.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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