A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

The Pen Is Deadlier

Full-Length Play, Drama  /  6w, 4m

Fred Carmichael

This exciting mystery contains two murders with ever mounting excitement and explores the fascinating psychological overtones and undertones that impel the murder to the crime. Atop one of the fashionable Hollywood Hills, Clair Clarendon, top gossip columnist, reigns supreme over her helpless target…

The Pen Is Deadlier

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    6w, 4m
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller

Details

Summary
This exciting mystery contains two murders with ever mounting excitement and explores the fascinating psychological overtones and undertones that impel the murder to the crime. Atop one of the fashionable Hollywood Hills, Clair Clarendon, top gossip columnist, reigns supreme over her helpless targets. Their lives and loves are ruled by her pen and it is not surprising that all of them could wish her dead. Ideal for college and little theatre groups, and recommended for advanced high school drama clubs as it provides superb acting assignments for the whole cast, plus a challenging directing job. Audiences attending this play's premiere performances at the Dorset Playhouse, Vermont, were loud and long in their applause.
History
The Pen Is Deadlier was first presented at the Dorset Playhouse in Dorset, Vermont on August 7, 1958. It was directed by Jeanne P. Mackenthun.

HORTON - a young man in his late twenties, incisive and with a sharp sense of humor.
MRS. GRIGGS - a middle-aged housekeeper.
CLAIR CLARENDON - a sharp, brittle and brilliant woman, knows what she wants and gets it.
PHYLLIS - early twenties, attractive, but somehow shy.
VIRGINIA MORROW - young and extrememly beautiful.
JEFF OXFORD - early thirties and very attractive in a "pretty boy" way.
GEORGE O. GRENOFF - an aging director with a sarcastic sense of humor born of his lack of great success.
ISABEL ILSLEY - no longer a leading lady, but still extremely beautiful in a hardened way.
WILMA HOOD - a former ingenue but now with the lines and bulges of middleage.
LIEUTENANT MAPLES - a detective.

  • Time Period 1950s
  • Setting Clair Clarendon's home in the Hollywood Hills. Summer.
  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Period Costumes

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

Author

Fred Carmichael

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