Pearls of Truth
Cast: 2M, 4F, 1 Any
Run time: 80 minutes
London, 1910. Set in a time of political turmoil for women before the Great War. The height of the women’s suffrage movement in the Edwardian era. This fast paced, suspenseful mystery is loosely inspired by the Lady Molly of Scotland Yard mysteries, penned by Baroness Orczy.
When Lord Edward Harrington is found with a bullet in his chest on the floor of his study, Peggy, a young suffragette is found with the gun still in her hand. A simple open and shut case for Inspector Saunders. But Peggy has an influential friend in Lady Molly, who investigates and uncovers a web of blackmail, lies and secrets, which lead to an unexpected murderer.
Cast size
2m, 4f, 1 any
Characters
Lady Molly Robertson-Bryce (f, 50s): Heiress. Brilliant, fashionable, and a fierce, covert suffragette.
Eva Grey (f, 30s-40s): Molly’s loyal ladies maid, Chronicler, and working-class partner in detection.
Peggy Vince (f, 20s-30s): a radical young suffragette. Full of fire and defiance.
Doubled with photographic reporter.
Duchess of Ayrshire (F, 50s): a wealthy, conservative aristocrat with political connections and hidden secrets.
Inspector Saunders (M, 50s): Traditionalist, Scotland Yard inspector.
Lord Edward Harrington (M, 30s): The Victim. Peggy’s estranged, wealthy cousin. A smooth-talking politician opposed to Peggy’s beliefs, and universal equal rights for women.
Prison Guard/ Constable Smith. (Any) Doubled - Officers of the law.
Actors playing Peggy, Lord Edward and Guard/Constable also play glamorous guests in scene 4 if desired.
The play may run as one act, or be split between Scenes 3 and 4 for an interval where the audience may discuss and propose the culprit.
