A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Fall of the House of Usher (Neary)

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  3w, 4m

Jack Neary, Edgar Allan Poe

By Jack Neary
Loosely based on the classic Edgar Allan Poe tale

An exciting adaptation of the classic Poe tale, re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston.

The Fall of the House of Usher (Neary)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 4m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptations (Literature), Mystery/Thriller, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary
An exciting adaptation of the classic Poe tale, re-invented as a detective thriller and set in 1930s Boston. James Brookfield, an up-and-coming writer of potboilers from New York City, is invited to the Boston home of his childhood friend, Roderick Usher, to, as his host suggests, “chronicle the evolution” of the House of Usher. What begins for Brookfield as a pleasant distraction from the busy hubbub of New York’s literary circles turns into a maelstrom of horror when he slowly discovers Usher’s secret intent, and realizes that the life of Usher’s sister, Madeline, as well as Brookfield’s own life, are in terrible danger. Told as a series of lightning-paced flashbacks as tough-as-nails police detective Michael Shaughnessy questions Brookfield about what actually happened to cause the fire that destroyed the House of Usher, the play moves relentlessly to its terrifying, stunning conclusion.
SHAUGHNESSY
JAMES
MADELINE
RODERICK
FIONA
DOCTOR TREMBLAY
CLAIRE
  • Time Period 1930s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS

"[...] engrossing and entertaining [...] holds one’s interest throughout as it moves relentlessly with a series of twists [...] to a terrifying conclusion." - Sydney Arts Guide, Read More

"Even if you are familiar with the original story, there are enough plot twists and seamless alterations on the original to keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The ending has been completely re-worked with a conclusion that is so disturbing I can’t believe Poe didn’t think of it himself." - Arts on the AU, Read More 

"Jack Neary has cleverly transposed [The Fall of the House of Usher] into a macabre thriller that works disturbingly well." - Stage Whispers, Read More 

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

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Authors

Jack Neary

Jack Neary's plays have been produced all over the United States, in Canada, and in Europe. He is the author of Samuel French plays First Night and Sandbag, Stage Left (as John Anthony), as well as adaptations of The Fall of the House of Usher, Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp ...
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Author

Edgar Allan Poe

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