Murder Mystery Play
Murder through the ether! - Chris McDermott (2008)
(11,857 words - including Dramatis Personae)
3 male characters; 3 female characters
A family meet following the death of the father, Ronald 'Knockers' Johnson at the age of 57. They are accompanied by the vicar and friend of Ronald's, the dithering Rev. Cuthbert Wood. It is Cuthbert's duty to pass on Ronald's wishes by reading his will. But there is tension between Ronald's wife, Edith Johnson, and his current live-in lover, Camilla Pavel, women in their late forties or early fifties.
What Edith lacks in compassion she makes up for in sternness. Camilla is a much more emotional soul and, as such, the two women are foils for one another. Similarly, Edith and Ronald's two children, now in their twenties, adopt contrasting attitudes to life. Robin, at 27, is something of a playboy, whereas his younger sister Ronnie is determined to become a successful accountant. The cast is completed by Eric 'The Red' Johnson, the deceased's brother and would-be political revolutionary and secondary school science teacher.
All have motive and opportunity to have killed Ronald, but did he, in fact, die of natural causes?
Some minimum sound effects are required for this play, as yet there is no CD for these and for the intro and exit music.
This is a longer play than some of those that can be purchased here, and this play does require an experienced and strong cast in places in order to 'pull it off'. This newer play has been recieved extremely well by audiences thus far.
The Reverend in this play refers to the 'Christian faith', 'God' and 'Jesus' in a benign manner; some groups (church groups in particular) may prefer to adapt this play. An adapted play, which has been performed successfully at St. Peter's Church, Harrow, is available upon request in order to avoid causing of offence.