The Suspicions of Mr Whicher E-Book

Kate Summerscale

• Herausgeber: Nick Hern Books
• Kategorie: Poesie und Drama
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Summer 1860, an elegant country house, a young boy is found dead in an outside privy. All clues point towards the murderer being a member of the grieving household. Called to the scene is the most celebrated detective of his day, Jonathan Whicher from Scotland Yard. But this case challenges him in ways he's never been challenged before. Over twenty years later, still haunted by the case, Whicher visits the murderer. As they replay the past, they start to question the nature of truth, the desire for certainty and the possibility of redemption. This compelling stage adaptation of Kate Summerscale's gripping bestseller opened at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury, in May 2023. This ensemble piece provides rich opportunities for companies looking to intrigue their audiences with a fresh take on a dark Victorian mystery.

Leseprobe

Kate Summerscale

THE SUSPICIONS OF MR WHICHER

Adapted for the stage by

Alexandra Wood

NICK HERN BOOKS

London

www.nickhernbooks.co.uk

Contents

Original Production Details

Characters

Note on the Text

The Suspicions of Mr Whicher

About the Author

Copyright and Performing Rights Information

This adaptation of The Suspicions of Mr Whicher was first performed at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury, on 5 May 2023. The cast was as follows:

MR KENT and Others

Jim Creighton

JONATHAN WHICHER

Christopher Naylor

WILLIAM and Others

Sam Liu

MISS GOUGH and Others

Robyn Sinclair

MRS KENT (NÉE MISS PRATT) and Others

Connie Walker

CONSTANCE KENT

Eleanor Wyld

BOY / DENIS

Hector Philpott

Clara Tame

Samuel Wall

Director

Kate Budgen

Designer

Amy Jane Cook

Lighting Designer

Katy Morison

Sound Designer and Composer

Beth Duke

Video Projection Designer

Rachel Sampley

Movement and Intimacy Director

Angela Gasparetto

Production Manager

Nick Flintoff

Assistant Production Manager

Alice Reddick

Costume Supervisor

Emily Barratt

Deputy Costume Supervisor

Beth Rose

Costume Maker

Ros Kitson

Company Stage Manager

Cat Pewsey

Deputy Stage Manager

Emily Stedman

Assistant Stage Manager

Natalie Toney

Placement Assistant Stage Manager

Phoebe Butcher

Head of Technical

Thom Townsend

Theatre Technician

Izzy Moore

Production Electricians

Keith Anker

Ryan Tate

Audio Description

Lixi Chivas

Set Construction

DSH Carpentry

Characters

JONATHAN WHICHER, forty-five to sixty-six

CONSTANCE KENT, five to thirty-six

MISS PRATT, twenty-eight, who becomes MRS KENT, thirty-six to forty

MR KENT, forty-seven to sixty-four

JOHN FOLEY, sixty-four

ELIZABETH GOUGH, twenty-two

WILLIAM KENT, eleven to eighteen

EDWARD KENT, eighteen

DR PARSONS, forty-five

LOUISA HATHERILL, fifteen

SARAH COX, twenty-two

PETER EDLIN, forty

GUARD BOY, three

CROWD DENIS, four

REVEREND WAGNER

KATHARINE GREAM

PASSENGER

SIR THOMAS HENRY

EMILIE, fifty-one

OLDER WILLIAM, fifty

NURSE

ARTHUR

Notes on the Text

Whicher and Constance should be played by the same two performers throughout. The other parts may be played by members of an ensemble.

The scenes should flow into one another. Constance and Whicher remain in Fulham Prison, even when they recall scenes from the past.

The sections in bold are Constance’s memories, distinct from memories of the investigation and trial. Whicher doesn’t experience these.

A forward slash ( / ) indicates a point of interruption.

A lack of punctuation at the end of a line indicates that the character cannot, or does not wish to, continue.

A line space in between sections indicates a shift in time.

This text went to press before the end of rehearsals and so may differ slightly from the play as performed.

ACT ONE

Fulham Prison, early 1881. WHICHER is sixty-six, CONSTANCE is thirty-six.

WHICHER. You’ve applied for early release three times.

CONSTANCE. I intend to apply again.

WHICHER. You believe you should be free?

CONSTANCE. I don’t believe I’m a threat.

Reverend Wagner has written on my behalf. Others have, too. They moved me here from Millbank, which was a small concession, I suppose.

WHICHER. You murdered your three-year-old brother.

CONSTANCE. I’ll never forgive myself.

But I believe I could do some good, be of some use to society now.

WHICHER. I moved to Battersea last year but before that I lived just beyond the walls of Millbank Prison.

I thought of you in there.

CONSTANCE. Do you often think about past cases?

Pause.

WHICHER. This case haunts me.

I don’t doubt your guilt, but it’s not the full truth, is it?

I don’t want to die without knowing that.

CONSTANCE. Are you dying?

WHICHER. I’m not in my prime.