In the town of Fenchester, seven resourceful children are yearning to be famous. One day, they come across a disused chapel, and an idea is formed. With a lick of paint and the addition of a beautiful curtain (which, however much they try, won't "swish" as stage curtains ought), the chapel becomes a theatre - and The Blue Door Theatre Company is formed. The children go from strength to strength, writing, directing and acting in their own plays. But their schooldays are numbered, and their parents want them to pack it in and train for sensible jobs. It seems that The Blue Door Theatre Company will have to go the way of all childhood dreams. But with a bit of luck, and the help of some influential friends, perhaps this is not the end, but only the beginning of their adventures in show business... Written in 1941 when the author was just 14, The Swish of the Curtain is a classic of children's literature, and has inspired generations of children to go on stage.

"I wanted to act before I read this book, and afterwards there was no stopping me" - Maggie Smith

"An enchanting book. A must for any child who wants to become an actor" - Eileen Atkins

"Part of the novel's appeal, as well as its humour and the excitement of the group's entry into an acting competition, is Brown's pitch-perfect depictions of childhood... Rereading The Swish of the Curtain, I'm amazed by how much of it has stayed with me; it is one of those books that makes up my very bones" - Guardian

"Budding thespians will adore this" - The Times, Best Children's Books to Take on Holiday This Summer

"A much-loved classic... captivating" - Daily Express

"Pure nostalgia... one of my favourite books when I was a kid... Fans of Noel Streatfeild will love this and though you may want to buy this for your own children, it's absolutely worth reading before you pass it on" - Red, Summer Reads to Escape With

"The tales of Lyn, Sandra, Vicky, Bulldog, Nigel, Jeremy and ebullient nine-year-old Maddy have stood the test of time. Their determination to make a success of the Blue Door Theatre Company, write scripts, design sets and costumes and build acting careers will charm readers new and old, young and not so young. Bravo Pushkin Press for bringing them back" - Good Schools Guide

"Whether you are already entranced by the magic of theatre or have yet to come under its spell, The Swish of the Curtain is a wonderful story of the intense please of performance and the life-changing effect that putting on a play has on a group of children. Pamela Brown's classic novel celebrated childhood friendship and the transforming power of creativity; it has inspired generations of readers to love theatre too and to pursue their own performing dreams" - Julia Eccleshare

"That's what I wanted to do" - Victoria Wood, on the children setting up their own theatre in 'The Swish of the Curtain'

"This pooh-stick filled, taffeta-crisp joy of a book... will put you and all the youngsters around you in the right mood for pantomines and puppet shows... A grand story in the old tradition" - Bookanista

"I'd soon read my way along all the Browns on the shelf in the library. I particularly liked her Blue Door series about a group of children who set up their own theatre" - Jacqueline Wilson

"As a child I loved The Swish of the Curtain" - Julia Donaldson

"There is careful detail and good dialogue" - Kirkus Reviews

"I loved this as a child. It's about two families with an actress in each - it spoke to me as I wanted to be an actress" - Telegraph

"I lost count of the number of times I borrowed this book... And now it has been republished and issued for a new generation of theatre mad, or not so theatre mad, children to read. I could not be happier... Gorgeous" - Random Jottings (blog)