History of Samuel French, Inc. in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 13, 2025

Samuel French, Inc. is a play publishing and theatrical licensing company founded by Samuel French and Thomas Hailes Lacy. It operates in the US and UK, representing playwrights and selling play scripts through its bookstores and online platforms. The London subsidiary, Samuel French Ltd., focuses on the UK market, providing performance rights and operating a theatrical bookshop in Fitzrovia.

1975: Inception of the Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival

In 1975, Samuel French's annual Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival (OOB) was established, providing a platform for playwrights to submit short plays for consideration.

2007: Closure of Toronto Office

In 2007, the Samuel French, Inc. office located in Toronto, Canada, was closed.

2017: Closure of theatrical bookshop at Fitzroy Street, London

In 2017, the Samuel French Ltd. theatrical bookshop at Fitzroy Street, London, England, closed.

March 2018: Opening of bookshop inside the Royal Court Theatre

In March 2018, it was announced that Samuel French Ltd. would be opening a bookshop inside the Royal Court Theatre.

December 2018: Acquisition of Samuel French by Concord Music

In December 2018, Concord Music acquired Samuel French, Inc. to form Concord Theatricals.

2019: 44th Year of the Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival

As of 2019, Samuel French's Off-Off-Broadway Short Play Festival is in its 44th year.

July 2024: Closure of bookshop at the Royal Court Theatre

In July 2024, the Samuel French Ltd. bookshop at the Royal Court Theatre closed permanently, with Concord Theatricals donating the bookshop stock for the theatre to open a free reference library in its place.