I've been searching and searching for a really good script in the "comedy-mystery-farce" genre for a long time. We've done a hilarious show called THE MUSICAL COMEDY MURDERS OF 1940 a couple of times, and it was such fun for everyone. Problem is, most of the shows in this genre that I've found and studied have been AWFUL - not really funny, not much material for the creation of characters, and in general just all-around LAME.
WHAT'S IT ABOUT?
EXIT THE BODY is one of the better ones. The author specialized in this genre and this was the best of his that I read. It's strictly community theatre level material - no broadway pedigree. The even cast is 5 men and 5 women and the play is set in (of course) an isolated mansion. A female mystery writer rents a New England mansion which is rumored to have been a rendezvous point for stolen jewels - and of course the rumor turns out to be true. The focal point of the set is a closet that opens both into a living room and to an unseen library. Bodies are discovered in the closet, they disappear from the closet only to be replaced by others, and the story climaxes with a 2 AM treasure hunt with four different couples trying to get their hands on the loot.
WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT IT?
The main roles in this mystery comedy are female. Each offers a different type of style to supplement the story. Some of the character's wisecracks are pretty funny, and the chase scene could be a lot of fun to put together. This is usually a popular genre of piece, and this one could be marketed as a family-friendly comedy. The set is a full one, with good design possibilities. Costuming could be modern, which is always a big money saver.
WHAT"S NOT SO GOOD?
The script may be the best of the ones I've found, but it still sometimes registers a bit high on the lame meter. For a mystery there is not a lot of action, and not even too much mystery. The set design requirements may not be different enough from last year - we do always want to build on what we've done in the recent past and not repeat ourselves too much. Similar to "Staircase", I wonder if it will satisfy our insatiable need to challenge ourselves.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Comment away! If you want to read more about this title go to www.samuelfrench.com or look the title up on googlebooks - I think there is an excerpt.
It looks pretty interesting, but in way of the plays you've posted they seem to be getting better and better.
ReplyDeleteThis one is second worst.
I don't think we are looking for "One of the better ones." I like the genre, but the description just doesnt grab me. It seems like it could be one of those shows where you chuckle at a line and then fall back to sleep.
ReplyDelete-Aaron