A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Murder With Grace

Full-Length Play, Dark Comedy  /  5w, 5m

In this delightful dark comedy inspired by the work of Jane Austen, two young women plot to kill an insufferable girl who hopes to marry into the family.

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    75 Minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Mystery/Thriller, Period
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for all audiences, Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

Set in the early 19th century, Murder with Grace tells the story of Grace, who is horrified when her brother is betrothed to Naomi, a shallow, silly girl whom Grace cannot stand to be around. She is loath to think that Naomi will soon be her sister-in-law, and so she and her good friend Beth devise a plan to manipulate Naomi by convincing her that another, much more affluent, young man named Henry is interested in marrying her. They set the plan in motion before they have actually met Henry, and it works too well – when Grace finally meets Henry, she falls head over heels for him! To make matters worse, Henry returns Naomi’s attentions! It seems that Grace’s only alternative would be to murder the wretched girl... that would not be very mannerly, but what alternative does she have? A dark comedy that will have even the most stoic of audiences in giggles.

History

Murder With Grace premiered at Southern Union Community College in Alabama on February 26, 2014. The second production was at Good Hope Country Day School in November 2014.

GRACE NEVILLE – Grace, 17, cannot withstand impropriety or imperfection. While an idiotic comment may run off others like rainwater, it gnaws at Grace, causing her much vexation. Smarter than anyone around her, she feels she can manipulate and outwit all to achieve her goals: peace and tranquility.
BETH HOBBS – Taller, prettier and just as smart as Grace, Beth, 19, is Grace’s accomplice and even mentor in deception. But Beth is more ruthless and seems to have no conscience.
HENRY HUNTINGTON – An enigma. Henry, 25, tall and handsome, seems gallant and sociable. But it is a learned behavior, a mask Henry wears the few times he is in public. His emotions run deeper, and immaturity remains from his lack of interaction. Thus, he gets easily hurt, often walking out of the room or loudly proclaiming his opinion.
NAOMI TOURNEAU – Beautiful and thin, Naomi is as shallow as a rain puddle, and not as intelligent. Her interests are money, jewelry, clothing and home furnishings.
ELEANOR HUNTINGTON – Eleanor, 15, is the typical gawky, plain-looking, approval-seeking teen. In Grace, she finds a sisterly figure and role model; seeks desperately for Grace’s close companionship.
COLONEL HUNTINGTON – The Colonel, 50s, has seen everything and nothing could really shock him. Though he looks every bit his age, he relishes the company of young women, complimenting them at every turn.
JOHN NEVILLE – John, 21, fair but expressionless, seems to have no emotions at all. He too is not exceptionally bright.
MR. NEVILLE – Although an attorney, Mr. Neville, late 40s and amiable, does not seem overly educated. The home’s patriarch, he seems very comfortable in his position.
MRS. NEVILLE – Mrs. Neville, 40s, delights in John’s future bride, probably because she is even more dim-witted, if that is at all possible. She is either elated or wretched with despair. There is no middle ground.
CONSTABLE – A very precise, clear-thinking man in his 50s. He dislikes the aristocracy and, worst of all, those who manipulate the system.
  • Time Period Victorian (British and American), 19th Century
  • Setting

    1800s England. The era of Jane Austen.

  • Features Period Costumes
  • Duration 75 Minutes
  • Cautions
    • Alcohol

Media

ON BREAKING CHARACTER

MURDER WITH GRACE: A Jane Austen Inspiration
by Leon Kaye
November 2, 2014

Breaking Into a Premiere
by Michael Williams Jr.
October 16, 2014

Music

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

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: $110 per performance

Add-Ons

Take a look below at how you can enhance your show!

Authors

Leon Kaye

Leon Kaye has written several short plays published with Brooklyn/Heuer and Playscripts. His three published full-lengths are with the Samuel French imprint of Concord Theatricals. Check out these Breaking Character articles: Murder With Grace: A Jane Austen Inspiration and B ...

View full profile

Community

Now Playing

Community Experiences