Marcus Lloyd is already quite a prolific writer, with previous publications including Taking Pictures, A Relative Stranger, Vacant Possession, The True Story of Mr Box and The Front to Back Toy Shop. This recent release from Josef Weinberger Limited is a psychological thriller and requires only two actors; one female and one male.
Elizabeth is confined to an electric wheelchair (although I understand from Josef Weinberger that the American version has been changed to a manual wheelchair) and must be older than the handsome Michael. Marcus states in his author’s note that Elizabeth should be at least in her late thirties, but could be older. For the play to work Michael has to be handsome, certainly someone that an older woman would find attractive.
The action takes place in a richly furnished room of a large Victorian house. Michael, an out-of-work actor who was once on the verge of stardom, is never more than a few steps away from self-destruction. Elizabeth is a theatre-obsessed ex-dancer who lives alone in a large country house. Elizabeth has contacted Michael’s agent and offered a large fee if the actor will visit her in her home and act out a play she has written. Michael jumps at the chance and arrives at Elizabeth’s house which is where the action begins. As the script is read, Michael is disturbed to discover that the script is amazingly similar to actual events, including a conversation that happened at the start of their meeting. How could Elizabeth possibly have written that? Slowly Elizabeth plies Michael with drink and manages to undermine his self-confidence and subsequently the reliability of his own memory and his sanity.
This is an excellent play for two experienced actors and, with careful direction, should keep the audience engaged until the dramatic ending. Certain props are needed including two revolvers, a tailor’s dummy and several old theatre programmes. There is also some use of stage blood. At times the play repeats previous action and dialogue so it is vital that both cast members are very familiar with the script. This is certainly worth consideration of any group with limited acting numbers.
The play is available from Josef Weinberger (020 7580 2827) and the ISBN is 0 85676 239 3. A copy of the script currently costs £6.50.
Jane Dickerson