A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Tainted Justice

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 5m

Based on the book Tainted Justice 1914 by David Newton

Drawn from facts surrounding a real murder mystery on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Tainted Justice is a compelling drama by the author of Ravenscroft . Pearl, a troubled young woman, is haunted by doubts about who actually murdered her father in the dark woods by the cranberry bogs at twilight one August evening in 1913. By turns funny, haunting, and frightening, this intricately plotted
investigation into what can truly be known about other people and their
motives weaves memory, testimony, and scenes of twisted confrontation
into a compelling tapestry of darkness and light.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary
Drawn from facts surrounding a real murder mystery on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Tainted Justice is a compelling drama by the author of Ravenscroft . Pearl, a troubled young woman, is haunted by doubts about who actually murdered her father in the dark woods by the cranberry bogs at twilight one August evening in 1913. Her cousin, an eccentric attorney obsessed with seeing Buster Keaton movies, defended the accused murderer. Her uncle, who loves mine shafts, was the accused man's friend. Her mother is a beautiful and enigmatic woman from whom she has become painfully estranged. The accused murderer is a charming liar who is fascinated by antique doorknobs and insists that he once nearly married Emily Bronte in Moose Jaw. As Pearl confronts these people, she is pulled deeper and deeper into a dark labyrinth of desire, lies and ambiguous betrayals. By turns funny, haunting, and frightening, this intricately plotted investigation into what can truly be known about other people and their motives weaves memory, testimony, and scenes of twisted confrontation into a compelling tapestry of darkness and light.
Cast Attributes
BEN ATKINSON
TENA - his wife
PEARL - their daughter
BILL MADDIN - Tena'a brother
JIM - his son, an attorney
MAUDIE - Jim's wife
FRANK HAYNES
HEARN - prosecutor
  • Time Period 1910s / WWI, 1900-1910, Victorian (British and American), 19th Century
  • Setting Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and elsewhere in the late 19th and early 20th century.
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Not Applicable
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)
  • Vocal DemandsN/A (Not a musical)
  • Chorus Size N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Don Nigro

Don Nigro is among the most frequently published and widely produced playwrights in the world and has continued to build a deeply interrelated and diverse body of dramatic literature, employing a wide variety of dramatic conventions and styles of presentation. He has written ...

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