leuth PRODUCTION PREVIEW GUIDE

leuth
Production Preview Guide
In Issaquah:
In Everett:
Francis J. Gaudette Theatre,
303 Front Street North, Issaquah
Everett Performing Arts Center,
2710 Wetmore Avenue, Everett
January 19 – February 27, 2011
March 4 – 27, 2011
Wednesday through Saturday: 8:00 PM
Sundays and Saturdays: 2:00 PM
Selected Tuesdays: 7:30 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM
Wednesdays through Saturdays: 8:00 PM
Saturdays and Sundays: 2:00 PM
Selected Sundays: 7:00 PM
Patrons have different ideas of what material or themes are appropriate for them
or their families. For this reason, we provide the following information:
The Production:
Wealthy mystery novelist Andrew Wyke invites young Milo Tindle to his elegant, isolated country house to settle a bit of unpleasant
business; Milo is having an affair with Andrew’s wife. What begins as a bizarre cat and mouse game of robbery spirals into a
complex duel of wits and deception. Packed with thrills, and twists and turns that continue to tip the scale, this Tony Awardwinning puzzle will keep you guessing up to the very deadly end!
Versions available to preview:
Sleuth (1972) and Sleuth (2007). The 1972 film version stars Laurence Olivier and Michael Caine, directed by Joseph L.
Mankiewicz. The 2007 film version stars Michael Caine and Jude Law, directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Production length:
Exact length to be determined.
Script Content Details Please note: the following information may contain plot spoilers.
The play contains some violence that may be upsetting to younger audience members. However, there is very little physical
violence in the play; one character is shot by another character at two separate incidences. There is very minimal use of adult
language, a brief reference to infidelity, and some consumption of alcohol on stage. Additional situations that may be sensitive
to some viewers are very mild jokes referencing religion and ethnicity.
Why did Village Theatre choose to produce SLEUTH?
Sleuth has been at the top of the subscriber survey list for several seasons now, and it’s no wonder since the show won the
Tony Award for Best Play in 1971. It is both fast-paced and exciting with unique twists in the storyline throughout. It has been
some time since Village Theatre has produced a thrilling, mystery, non-musical play, and we’re excited to bring this one to our
audiences in the 2010-2011 season.
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leuth
Production Preview Guide
synopsis
ACT I
The play opens with Andrew Wyke, a writer of detective fiction. He is in the process of writing a new mystery when he is
interrupted by a knock on the door. The young Milo Tindle enters, who has been summoned by Andrew. Andrew reveals that he
is aware of an affair between Milo and Andrew’s wife, Marguerite. Andrew summoned the meeting because he knows that Milo
would like to marry his wife, and Andrew wanted to discuss the matter with Milo. Andrew asks Milo about his parents, job, living
situation, and financial assets, then he points out that Milo’s financial position will not support his wife’s taste for expensive
living. Andrew then proposes a plot for the financial gain of both Andrew and Milo, in which Milo will steal Andrew’s collection
of jewelry. Andrew could collect the insurance money for the jewels, and Milo agrees because he would receive 90,000 pounds
for the stolen jewelry.
The two begin to plan the fake robbery, and Andrew uses his knowledge of creating crime fiction to prepare Milo for his role as
the robber. Andrew tells Milo specifically what to do, and provides him with the tools and the costume that he will use. Andrew
gets Milo to change his clothes into a ridiculous clown costume, and Milo gets a brief lesson in the method of professional
robbery.
In his ridiculous costume, Milo reenters the study through the window. He proceeds to throw objects about the room to make it
look like a real robbery, then blows open the safe containing the jewelry. Andrew reveals a gun which he uses to make it appear
as if there was a struggle, so he begins shooting various items around the room. Andrew then turns the gun on Milo, admitting
that the original plot was actually a plot to allow Andrew to kill Milo. With delight, Andrew reveals how he has led Milo directly
into the perfect trap, which will let him humiliate and murder his wife’s seducer, and get away with it. Milo pleads for Andrew to
show reason and spare his life, but Andrew shoots him nonetheless, and the curtain falls.
ACT II
Andrew sits at ease in his study when he is interrupted by a visit from Inspector Doppler. The Inspector informs Andrew that he
is investigating the disappearance of Milo, and Andrew remains cordial, acting as if he has never met Milo. Andrew becomes
more uneasy as the Inspector presents him with substantial evidence for Andrew’s involvement in Milo’s disappearance. He
eventually informs the Inspector of what happened on the night of the disappearance, and he admits that he cornered Milo into a
trap, but he assures the Inspector that it was a joke meant to scare Milo—the gun was loaded with blank bullets. The Inspector
is reluctant to believe that Andrew’s plot was done all in good fun, and he proceeds to inspect the house for evidence against
Andrew.
To Andrew’s surprise, the Inspector finds blood on the stairs where Andrew said he shot Milo. Andrew begins to panic as the
Inspector informs him that he must go to the police station with the Inspector, and that Andrew will probably receive a substantial
prison sentence for his crimes.
It is at this moment that the Inspector reveals himself to be Milo in disguise, which explains the blood—Milo planted it there.
Andrew praises Milo for the well-played joke. Milo begins to show his resentment against Andrew, and admits that he has
framed Andrew for a serious crime. Because of a desire for revenge, Milo says that he killed and raped Andrew’s girlfriend Téa.
With pleasure, Milo informs him that the police will arrive soon, and that he has planted evidence to prove that Andrew is guilty
for the crime.
Milo has left incriminating evidence in the room, and he gives Andrew clues to find the items before the police arrive. Milo’s clues
are in the form of poems, which will lead Andrew to each piece of evidence, if he is clever enough to decipher them. Milo sits at
ease, watching Andrew wildly search for the clues as he deciphers Milo’s poems.
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leuth
Production Preview Guide
synopsis
Andrew successfully finds the clues, just in time for Milo to let the police in. It becomes apparent that no police have come,
and Milo reveals that he has conspired with Téa to play this trick on Andrew. Andrew is impressed by Milo’s abilities at playing
practical jokes, and he asks Milo to move in with him because he is so amused by Milo’s brilliance. Milo refuses, because he
pities Andrew for being so disconnected from reality that he must live in a world of fiction and puzzles. At this refusal, Andrew is
afraid that his reputation will be destroyed by Milo, so he decides to use this opportunity to finally murder Milo.
Faced with another threat of imminent death, Milo assures Andrew that he will not get away with the murder because the police
are aware of the previous joke Andrew played against Milo. Andrew believes that Milo is lying to try to save his own life, so he
shoots Milo, this time with a real bullet, as he tries to leave. To Andrew’s dismay, a police car is seen stopping outside his house,
and Milo has the last laugh as he is assured that Andrew will pay for his practical jokes.
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