Whodunnit Mrs Christie

By Robert Challis

In three acts, a traditional murder mystery whodunnit, set in England, with Agatha Christie as a main actor and drawcard for the audience. As the crime unfolds and is solved, all the evidence is presented to the audience, and the well worked out plot provides numerous clues and red herrings to delight enthusiasts for this genre. There are six substantial female roles for adults of a range of ages, four substantial male roles, one small male part, and a one line male or female cameo.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Robert Challis
• Release date: Jul 11, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465702548

Robert Challis

The author is a retired school teacher living in Adelaide South Australia. He has written plays, humorous articles and short stories and a trilogy of full length historical novels under the title "Laconic Hearts".

Book preview

WHODUNNIT MRS CHRISTIE?

By Robert Challis

Published by Robert Challis at Smashwords. Copyright 1990 Robert Challis

If you are considering performing this play, for terms and conditions contact the author on [e-mail].

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WHODUNNIT MRS CHRISTIE?

A three Act, single set play by Robert Challis. First performed by the Strathalbyn Players Inc in June I990.

ACT I - Saturday afternoon. ACT II - Sunday Morning. ACT III - Monday Morning.

THE CHARACTERS

Lady Bayfield

wealthy heiress, late sixties, ailing with weak heart. At first sight, everyone's idea of a nice old lady, but manipulative with a touch of spleen that is occasionally revealed.

Thomas

Her faithful old Butler. Similar age.

Janet Drewer

Lady Bayfield's secretary. In her twenties, an attractive but plain speaking and cynical young lady.

Dave

In his twenties. An Australian spiv.

Greg Hodges

Lady Bayfield's nephew - an unpublished writer of murder mysteries, cynical. Aged around thirty.

Sarah Hodges

Greg's wife. At times, withdrawn, but a determined woman of strong emotions.

Agnes Buckley

Lady Bayfield's sister. Early sixties. A good hearted, not over intelligent woman, with a weakness for the bottle.

Ted Buckley

Agnes's husband. Early sixties, a retired detective from the fraud squad. At times bumptious, at others, cunning and sycophantic.

Inspector Rayner

From the Oxford C.I.D. Somewhat supercilious, old school tie type. Nevertheless, a successful homicide detective.

Agatha Christie

The famous writer, aged 60, a good hearted woman with a sharp analytical mind.

Doctor Simpson

An efficient but inexperienced lady Doctor In her twenties.

Constable Whittaker

A young police officer.

THE SET

I950. The living room of a well established and large country residence near Oxford. Although Lady Bayfield has lived here many years, rather than staid and conservative, the decoration conveys a slightly dotty feel.

When first performed, the set was as follows:

A large living room. Exits at the rear of stage left side flat and at the rear of stage right side flat. An alcove at the centre of the rear stage flat in which there is a sideboard/drinks cabinet. On top of this, several wine glasses and a drinks decanter. To stage left of the alcove, a painting hanging on the back flat. To stage right of the alcove, a telephone table and telephone against the back flat. On the stage right side flat towards front of stage, a bookcase with books. On the stage left side flat towards front of stage, a fireplace. Stage right, front of stage, an armchair. Just back and slightly closer to centre stage, a settee with a small coffee table in front of it. Stage left, a small table with two chairs.

Minor rearrangements of furniture and props were required between acts.

ACT I

(Curtain opens. Janet on phone)

Janet: (Pause) Yes, that's right, Janet Drewer. Return tickets London to Paris. I'd like to cancel my booking. Yes. I have to collect my refund in person? Good. Thank you.

(She hurriedly hangs up as she hears people coming. Thomas and lady Bayfield enter, Thomas carrying her hat and coat. Janet hurries out past them as they enter stage left.)

Lady B: Rude girl. Now Thomas, I’LL be going just as soon as that taxi gets here.

Thomas: You're early. It'll mean a wait at the station.

Lady B: Better early then late.

Thomas: Can't I drive you there?

Lady B: No. I told you I want you here to greet the other guests. A taxi will be fine.

Thomas: Janet can meet the guests. It's only your nephew and his wife still to arrive.

Lady B: Janet! I wouldn't trust her. I wouldn't put it past her to make a scene.

Thomas: Oh, I don't think she'd do that.

Lady B: You don't know her the way I do. I've a good mind to let her go.

Thomas: You've been threatening that for months.

Lady B: There you are then. It must be high time to do it.

Thomas: But Madam...

Lady B: No buts. I don't want to discuss the matter any further. Help me on with my coat.

Thomas: (Helping her) Whom are you meeting at the station?

Lady B: That's my little surprise, Thomas, and believe me, it will be a surprise.

Thomas: That's what you've been saying all week.

Lady B: Then it must be true.

Thomas: What I don't understand, Madam, is if your guest is so special, why such a small gathering this weekend? Apart from Janet and myself, there's only your nephew and his wife, and your sister and her husband.

Lady B: Ah but this is going to be a special weekend. Greg and Agnes are the only family I can still count on, and I want this to be a family weekend. (Pathetically) They're all I've got, you know.

Thomas: But with only the seven of us, it doesn't make for much of a murder weekend. It cuts down the options.

Lady B: You'll be surprised, Thomas. This is going to be a murder mystery with a difference. You may as well know it. This is the last time I shall call a meeting of our little group.

Thomas: Madam, the last!

Lady B: Yes Thomas, the doctor has been telling me for a long time that my heart just can't stand up to the excitement any more. And now I've been given an ultimatum - give up on these murder weekends or my days are numbered.

Thomas: (Shocked) Surely not, Madam.

Lady B: And I'm afraid to say I'm inclined to believe it. One can sense it, you know. A weak ticker, struggling to get through the day. The tablets can only do so much. There's going to be a night before long when I go to sleep never to wake.

Thomas: You shouldn't be talking this way.

Lady B: One has to face facts, Thomas. I'm not afraid to die. I've had a long and interesting life - you can't ask for more. So this weekend is going to be my swansong. I'm determined to go out in a blaze of glory. And so I'll be ending the weekend with a reading of my new will.

Thomas: (Dismayed) Another one, Madam?

Lady B: Don't be dismayed, Thomas, you get a more than honourable mention in this one.

Thomas: But wouldn't it be better to keep it all to yourself? It can only cause bad feeling.

Lady B: I thought you'd be pleased. (she touches him on the shoulder) You didn't get a mention in the last one. But I've forgiven you for our little difference.

Thomas: (Drily) So kind of you, Madam. But do you have to make it all so public' Why not a fake will? That would serve just as well for the game.

Lady B: But it adds such a zing to