Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

Tony and Margot Wendice have had a fractious marriage for many years, resulting in Margo’s affair with Max Halliday, an American crime writer. However, when the affair ended and Tony retired from his professional tennis career, the couple reunited and rekindled their love...or have they? In this well-known suspense thriller, Tony pursues the perfect crime. He married Margot for her money and now, after finding out about her affair, he plans to murder her for exactly the same reason. Although he initially thinks about killing her himself, Tony decides to hire an old university acquaintance and cunning criminal, Captain Lesgate, to do the dirty work for him. Despite Tony’s meticulous planning, the attempted murder goes awry and Lesgate is killed, while Margot survives. With a little quick-thinking and a lot of deceit, Tony manipulates Scotland Yard into believing that his wife was being blackmailed by Lesgate and killed him to protect her reputation. However, thanks to the determination of Max Halliday to prove his ex-lover’s innocence and the experience of Inspector Hubbard, Tony soon becomes wrapped up in his own web of lies and his guilt is exposed.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1952
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
The living room of the Wendices' apartment, London, 1950s
Cast Size
small
Ideal For
Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Small Cast, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters

Context

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Tony Wendice

Lead

Male

Non-singer

Margot Wendice

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Max Halliday

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Inspector Hubbard

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Captain Lesgate

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Thompson

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher