84, Charing Cross Road

by James Roose-Evans (Playwright, Adapter), Helene Hanff

Stage Script adapted from the book by Helene Hanff

Genres: Plays, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, British Literature, Drama

88 pages, Paperback

Published November 18, 2025

About the author

James Roose-Evans, theater director and author, was born in London on November 11, 1927. He completed his education at Oxford University in 1957. Roose-Evans began his career as an actor, but by 1954 had started directing. He founded the Hampstead Theatre Club in 1959, and served as artistic director until 1971. In 1969, while at the Hampstead, Roose-Evans also founded and became director of Stage Two, an experimental theater workshop and research center.

Roose-Evans also lectured at, and conducted various theater workshops in the United States throughout his career. In addition, he has directed numerous West End productions, including Under Milk Wood, Cider with Rosie, Private Lives, The Happy Apple, An Ideal Husband, Spitting Image, 84 Charing Cross Road, The Seven Year Itch, The Best of Friends, and Mate, a Personal Affair. Roose-Evans has also authored books on theater, as well as a series of children's books in the 1970s. He is a member of the Royal Society of Arts, the Welsh Arts Council, Southeast Wales Art Association, and the Welsh Dance Theatre.

Reviews

[Carolyn Page · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for small theaters, with a balanced cast, strong female lead, simple sets. Solid 4 star script, its a good movie too. Perfect for lit nerds.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

84 Charing Cross Road is my favourite book so when I found out there was a play script I had to read it.

The story is there but at times the cosy quality of the letters from the book was lost for me. I still enjoyed it and some of the stage direction did add to the experience but some of it also interrupted the flow for me.
Also some of the important letters at the end of the book that I think really help to bring the story to a close were cut out of the play which is a shame.

I'll stick to rereading the book and listening to the audiobook.
I would love to be able to watch the play, I think that would be a brilliant experience.

[Katharine Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

"84 Charing Cross Road" - written by Helene Hanff, adapted for the stage by James Roose-Evans, and originally published in 1970, this edition in 1983. I came to this book not knowing its background and was thoroughly charmed by what I read. The original book details the correspondence between writer and book-lover Hanff with London-based booksellers Marks & Co, primarily manager Frank Doel and also his staff. This edition arranges the correspondence around a split stage and includes stage and vocal directions. I loved it! And I would love to see the production some day!

[Elise Seifert · Rating 5 out of 5]

10 stars! I listened to the 2007 BBC radio adaptation, and from the first couple letters it made me think that The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society must have been inspired by this book (also a FAVORITE). The letters are so full of personality, from spilling coffee, drinking gin, and a similar obsession with books as GLaPPPS. I saw this recommended to read during the pandemic/lockdown in 2020 and it’s so touching now. The faraway friends, the delaying travel, poverty, FOMO... would recommend to everyone stuck inside, wanting to make connection. And it’s so short!

[Neil · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this as a book a little more than I like it as a play. When a story told through letters is put on stage, you always have the challenge of how characters who aren't in physical contact can interact with each other. But the personalities still come through, as do the love for books, and the great central question of whether or not Helene will ever go meet her transatlantic friends in person is still compelling.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I meant to read the original book but my library supplied me with the play version instead. This is a cute story that reflects real life well. Not much to pull you down but plenty to lift you up. I thought the script and stage descriptions were clear and I was able to imagine the play live in my mind as I read.

[Colleen Chi-Girl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favorites. I loved that it’s a memoir, intelligent, fun, and historic, and I read this on the train leaving England and going from France to Germany.

[M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!

[Chang Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning. I have to find her book.

[Gerry Durisin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story! I ordered this through inter-library loan, not realizing it was not the original book by Helene Hanff, but a stage play adaptation of her book. I loved the characters and their developing relationships. I’m planning now to look for the original book, in hopes that it may include some additional letters that were omitted from the play.

10/27/18: having now read 84, Charing Cross Road, and The Duchess of Bloomsbury, I have to say I love the ending of the stage play, which was so satisfying despite the liberties it took in describing actual events.

[Ami · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a avid letter writer and a lover of London, I loved this play so much. I’m adding the original book to my list immediately.

I related so much with Helene’s crisis after crisis and gaps in employment putting off her trip to London. I did this for 10 years, promising English friends I’d made online that I’d be there for a visit soon, and year after year, I had to cancel.

This year, I parted ways with my job (and career path) and within 7 days, was on a plane and then landing at Gatwick. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and I loved every minute of that trip.

I would love to see this on stage soon.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this charming and delightful book in one sitting. Hanff's tone and America bluntness had me laughing out loud and Doel's English character and style had me thinking of my grandmother's family who live in England. They were regular correspondents too. I'm inspired to write more pen and ink letters and have ordered a copy of this book for a friend who is headed abroad. This is the perfect treat to share with a book lover.

[Marisa Markoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming play about the life of writer Helene Hanff and her correspondence with bookshop owner Frank Doel of "84 Charing Cross Road" in England. What was beautiful about this piece was the fact that the characters of Helene and Frank talk to one another without ever talking directly to or looking at the other throughout the entirety of the play. Heart-warming and highly enjoyable. I am excited to be able to play the role of Cecily in December.

[Rich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in college for a theatre class, and fell in love with it! A charming story of a rather isolated woman in MYC who builds deep relationships with the shopkeep of a bookstore in post-war London.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up thinking it was the book, but it was the play instead. I read it and enjoyed it, but I think I would have preferred the book. There were a lot of theatrical details to wade through, which made it less enjoyable to read, but the exchange between the characters was wonderful.

[Laurie Swindler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the script to see how Roose-Evans managed to stage a book that is composed of letters. Interesting but read the book first.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's hard to image how a book like this could be converted to a stage play. I guess this is how it's done.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about long distance, lifelong friendship. Character driven with subtle plot. Simply lovely.

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

First play I directed