Overview

Synopsis

Mary Yellan’s journey across the bleak Bodmin Moor to fulfill her dying mother’s wish that she stays with her Aunt Patience at Jamaica Inn is the start of a nightmare. Mary finds her Aunt a broken woman, married to the brutish Joss Merlyn. Under the roof of the dark inn, Mary begins to discover mysterious goings on in the dead of night and dark happenings along the wild Cornish coast. In an attempt to protect Patience, Mary is unwillingly drawn into the dark deeds of her Uncle Joss and his murderous accomplices. With her conscience following her like a shadow, Mary questions her own moral compass as she starts to fall dangerously in love with a man she dares not trust. As officers of the law draw in around them and the number of dead bodies begins to rise, can Mary survive the nightmares of the Cornish coast?

Adapted from Daphne DuMaurier’s 1930 novel of the same name, Jamaica Inn has become one of the most iconic tales of ghost stories and smuggling on the Cornish coast. This play with music relies on a simple set with the actors portraying the animals, carts, carriages, and wild noises to evoke the eerie, gothic atmosphere of the Cornish moors.

Show Information

Book
Lisa Evans
Based on the Play/Book/Film
Daphne Du Maurier's 1936 novel Jamaica Inn
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Thirteen Plus (PG-13)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
2004
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Simple/No Set
Time & Place
Bodmin Moor, Cornwall, 1820s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
See CONTEXT AND/OR LINKS TAB
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Regional Theatre, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Mary Yellan

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Joss Merlyn

Lead

Male

Non-singer

The Woman

Supporting

Female

Soprano, Mezzo-Soprano, Alto

Aunt Patience / Gypsy / Mrs Barrat

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Jem Merlyn

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Squire Basset / Stranger

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Francis Davey / Cobbler

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Richards / Harry the Pedlar

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass

Songs

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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

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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

    Describing a mood, atmosphere, or environment of fear, mystery, or horror.

    The central character engaged in the conflict.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher