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Murder By Default

Bettine Manktelow

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Cast size: 4

Duration: Two Act

Bettine Monktelow | Thriller/Mystery | Full-length | 2m, 2f

Short synopsis

After a few unexpected deaths at a theatrical retirement home, one of the retired actor residents starts to suspect that the deaths have been stage managed to conceal the true reason behind them. Who is the mysterious Dr Sampson, why has nobody ever seen him, why does he only certify deaths in the middle of the night, and what part does the exceptionally helpful warden play in the affair?

The residents of a sheltered housing complex for retired Thespians live in their separate flats, but under the kind and watchful eye of the warden/manager, Jenny Morris. All should be calm and tranquil but nothing is calm about Emily Forsyth who senses a mystery about her neighbour’s sudden death. She is particularly suspicious of Dr Sampson who is only called out for emergencies at night.

She confides in her friend and neighbour, George Jerrold, but he is unconvinced that anything is amiss and to add to her problems he disappears the next day without explanation.

An intriguing visitor, Simon Evans, appears on the scene also looking for George, and, with his help Emily begins to unravel a dark secret about the housing complex, but is she too late to save herself from being Dr Sampson’s next patient?

(2m, 2f)

  • George Jerrold - 60-70, a retired impresario, pompous but charming, an attractive man of mature years, retired from his profession as a manager and impresario, he has an assured theatrical air about him and considerable charm
  • Emily Forsyth - 60-70, a retired actress, dizzy and confident, a self-dramatist, she is confident and self-assured with a forthright approach to life but is inclined to behave as if she is a heroine in her own drama
  • Jenny Morris - 40's, a live-in retirement home warden, helpful but forceful, a middle-aged lady with a strong personality, cheerful, forceful and apparently very concerned about the residents
  • Simon Evans - 30's, a keen young insurance broker, well dressed and professional-looking
Free

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Murder By Default

Free
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