Synopses
Murder at the Manor - Chris McDermott (1996) 8,122 words
The original script is set in 1995 in a manor house somewhere in the south of England. Sir Marcus, the victim, is a middle aged, conceited and bad-tempered aristocrat who is frustrated with himself and the rest of the world. His wife, the long-suffering Cynthia, spends a good deal of her time trying to pacify the old man. Unbeknownst to Marcus, she seeks solace in the arms of Nigel Hetherington-Smyth, Marcus’s younger brother, a Conservative MP who shows as much respect for the north of England as does Marcus. This is emphasised by the contempt Marcus shows for his butler, “The Hero from Heckmondwyke” who appears, at first, to be no more than a downtrodden lackey whose chief purpose in life is to avoid yet further humiliation by his master. But is Arnold really as simple and unassuming as he portrays himself? Perhaps Briony Hetherington-Smyth could help us to answer that question. She is a bright young lady, studying English at Cambridge, who returns on the fateful weekend to attend her father’s forty-fifth birthday party. But will she be inviting her boyfriend to the party ? Not if her father has anything to do with it. Poor man, if only he knew that the daughter of whom he is so very proud isn’t, in fact……… But that would be telling the whole story. And perhaps we should leave that to Caroline Shepherd, family friend, Chief Inspector and former mistress to Sir Marcus. Surely she would not have murdered her former lover. After all don’t all good murder mysteries need a reliable detective to sort out the mess? Don’t be too sure. The audience won’t be.
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Murder Before Midnight - John McDermott (1997) 8,433 words
Sir Brian Burrows lives in Stocksley Grange but he cannot be said to appreciate its history. Sir Brian is a self-made businessman who has made his money by running his own publishing company. Unfortunately, Sir Brian’s appreciation of the literary arts extends as far as his understanding of his accountant’s ledger. Money, for Sir Brian, is not the means by which he can enjoy the fruits of life with the literati, but a symbol of his achievement and power. He holds the former Lord of the Manor, Sir Guy Stocksley, in contempt as someone who “is a loser”, born with a silver spoon who now deserves the wooden spoon. Sir Brian is the cuckoo in Sir Guy’s former nest and wouldn’t Sir Guy just love to be rid of him. Not a chance? Well, so Sir Brian seems to think. But if he knew the news of Sir Guy’s Canadian inheritance would he be so sure? A move back to the manor for Sir Guy would be popular with many, not least Catchpole, the much put-upon servant bequeathed to Sir Brian as part of the deeds of sale when the manor changed hands. Catchpole, professional at all times, still shows first loyalty to his former master, a fact which irritates Sir Brian and gives Catchpole himself a firm motive for murder. But did he get there first? Sylvia Burrows, Brian’s wife, gave up a glittering acting career in the West End to become Lady of the Manor. And what thanks has she received for such a sacrifice? A husband who drinks too much and makes unreciprocated passes at Mimsie Baker, his secretary and clandestine lover of Sir Guy. Mimsie is very protective of Sir Guy, who is now suffering from ill health due to a bout of pneumonia. They live together in The Lodge, the former servants’ house, located in the grounds of The Grange. Like Ruth Conrad, their motive for murder is strong. Ruth is Sir Brian’s leading moneymaker and talented author. She intends to sue her employer who, she believes, is paying her a pittance and far less that she deserves. But how can she hope to succeed against a man who has built an empire on ruthlessness and watertight contracts. How could anyone succeed against such a man, unless, of course, murder was their game?
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Murder Backstage - Chris McDermott (1998) 7,546 words
The drama is set backstage at the West Griddlington Amateur Dramatic Society. Rehearsals are underway for the latest offering from the society’s leading light, Alex Mitchel. Alex is the author and director of “The Diary of An Urban Tree Dweller, a modern Robin Hood” a pretentious self-indulgent piece written to convince the townspeople of West Griddlington of the importance of conservation. There are many references to the nurturing qualities of Gaia, or Mother Earth, and the importance of preserving the forest. Alex’s girlfriend, Heather Ronson, and her daughter, Sarah Ronson, play the parts of two hippy tree dwellers who are determined to save the forest from the evil road company, represented by the Sir Douglas, played by Alex, and his sidekick, played by Jo Mablethorpe. The ridiculous dialogue for “The Urban Tree Dweller” is complemented by the tree dwellers’ costumes, which are green and/or brown, pinned with paper leaves a la primary school play trees. In reality, Heather is becoming tired of Alex’s pretension, but is still somehow under his spell. Sarah has had an abiding hatred of Alex, someone she had previously admired, following her alleged rape at 16. She cannot understand why her mother still lives with Alex, and would be delighted if Heather returned to her former husband, Sarah’s father, Brian Ronson. Brian still carries a candle for Heather, despite being Jo Mablethorpe’s partner. Jo realises this, and finds the situation very threatening. She has already been upset by the West Griddlington Amateur Dramatic Society’s rejection of her script in favour of Alex’s. She is perhaps the only woman in the western world who could find Brian remotely interesting and, in truth, she has nothing to fear from Brian’s continuing interest in his estranged spouse. The cast is completed by Rodrigo Castello, a stereotypically error-prone foreigner in the Manuel (Fawlty Towers) mode. His English, like that of Manuel, leaves a lot to be desired. He too plays the part of “an urban tree dweller” as does Brian. (N.B. Rodrigo is taller than Brian)The majority of the action takes place ‘backstage’, in rehearsal. In Act Two of the murder mystery the characters are backstage, going through their final preparations, waiting to perform. In turn, they leave the stage to ‘go on stage’. Unfortunately, one of them leaves never to return. You can probably guess who the victim is, but can you guess who is his murderer? Let us all “worship at the temple of Gaia.”
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Death at the Granby Arms - John McDermott (1999) 8,939 words
Set in an old coaching inn in the town of Leddington, this mystery features Aubrey Fox, a local businessman who has seemingly set his heart on taking over the whole town. Part of his empire is to be the recently acquired Granby Arms which hitherto had been run as a pub, but which is to be converted into a hotel. Profit is the sole purpose behind the purchase, so the threat to the livelihood of the two sisters working there is of no concern to Foxy. Beattie Cable and her sister Margaret are both employed behind the bar at the pub. Beattie has worked there for 18 years and Margaret, ten years her junior, just two. Beattie helped to bring Margaret up after their mother had walked out on the family when Margaret was just a few months old. Despite the strong bond between the two sisters, they are quite different in character, Beattie being serious-minded and Margaret the more relaxed, with a dry sense of humour. Others who have a motive for murdering Foxy are Denis Johnson and his fiancee Carol Marshall. Denis is owed over £8,000 by Foxy for all the electrical work he has done at the Granby. Foxy’s initial ‘take it or leave it’ offer of a paltry £500 merely fuels Denis’s anger; could it be that Aubrey is deliberately trying to put Dennis out of business so that he can make yet another profitable acquisition? Or could it be that Foxy intends to harm Denis in another way, by revealing that he is the father of fiancee Carol’s three-year old son Robbie, and that he intends to take a very active role in the decision-making process connected with the child’s upbringing? Carol has always told Denis that Robbie’s father died in a road traffic accident. Could she bear him to discover the truth just when they had made plans for their nuptials? But, of course, the cast would not be complete without the presence of a member of the constabulary, or, at least, an ex-policeman in the form of George Walmsley, now working for Leddington Security, a firm which is now part of the burgeoning Fox empire. And we all know, by now, that Foxy would not think twice about making the ex-copper redundant. In fact, nothing would give him greater pleasure. Sadly for him, and happily for the rest of us, he never gets the chance.
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Millennium Murder - John McDermott (1999) 6,964 words
The scene is set for a Millennium Eve party, thrown by Lily Cottisham and her husband Ralph. But theirs is not a happy marriage; Lily tricked Ralph into wedlock for her own financial gain, and Ralph still yearns to be together with his former sweetheart, Dr. Jennifer Dunbar. Jennifer feels the same way but, unfortunately for her, is married to Chester Dunbar, Ralph’s long-standing friend. Chester realises Jennifer still carries a candle for Ralph but accepts the reality of the situation. His love for his wife is platonic rather than passionate. He shares with Ralph a friendship, a love for Jennifer and a strong dislike of Lily. But is this dislike strong enough to drive him to murder? Lily, not satisfied with the money she has made from her Ersatz shotgun wedding, has gone into business with Fiona Middleton, who she now dominates. Fiona would do anything to get out of the partnership, but does not have the strength of character to extricate herself. Raymond Le Bec makes up the cast. He hails from East London as Raymond Beck, but has adopted a pseudo-French name that he feels is more appropriate for the proprietor of a trendy London salon which caters for rich dowagers. Lily promises him that she has contacted her solicitor in order to leave him a large legacy. He is, without doubt, her ‘man of the moment’, but are her attentions symptoms of true love or mere passing fancy? In the end, of course, the answer to this particular question is hypothetical because, as you have no doubt worked out for yourself, Lily meets her doom, courtesy of a dagger which ‘penetrated her heart’. Unpleasant lady she may have been, but did she really deserve that? Judge for yourself, but don’t be too hasty in jumping to conclusions!
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Murder Between the Wickets - Chris McDermott (2000) 9,144 words
Set in a secondary school cricket pavilion in 1978, Murder Between the Wickets lets us peer into the internecine rivalries that are prevalent in the Abingdon Comprehensive School staff room. Godfrey Terry, sports master-cum-English teacher, never doubts his own abilities, in the classroom, on the games field and with the ladies. Trevor Ford is his long-suffering Head of Department whose jealousy may persuade him to murder. But if that’s his aim he might just have to get in a queue. French teacher Anna Higgenbottom holds a strong distaste for Terry’s condescending ways. In this she has allies in English teacher and ardent feminist Linda Truman, whose rightful position as second-in-the- department has gone to Terry, and feisty Diane Blundell whose job is at stake because Terry’s dishonest ways have led her to be compared unfavourably with her colleague in the eyes of the Headteacher. Helen Keane completes the female members of the cast. She suffers from a growing addiction to heroin and fears that Terry is about to use this in order to make life extremely difficult for her. Helen’s drugs are provided for her by Major Sernberg, a relic from World War Two, whose apparent unworldliness belies a calculating and manipulative heart. Eric “Ricky” Bonsall completes the cast. Ricky is envious of Terry’s sporting prowess and has no doubt that he, not Terry, should have been selected staff cricket team captain. The cricket pitch should be the theatre for derring-do but, unfortunately, dastardly deeds are the substitute. Terry is hit on the head by a ball bowled at him at great speed, bringing him to the ground. But was the act deliberate or was it an accident? The answer lies in the motives and methods of our potential felons, one at least of whom has committed ‘Murder Between the Wickets’.
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A Question of Murder – Chris McDermott (2002) 12,426 words
Chrissy Freemanson, chairman of the ‘Bliss’ teacher recruitment agency and serial philanderer, decides that, in order to create a novel sifting mechanism for an internal promotion, he will take the interviewing panel and candidates away on an ‘action adventure’ weekend so that they can demonstrate their leadership skills. The interviewing panel of Ginny Power, former conquest of Chrissy’s, Lord ‘Jiffers’ Brown, Yorkshire public schoolboy and former chairman of ‘Bliss’ and Allan Lewis, bluff Yorkshireman who believes in ‘telling it as it is’ agree to go along with this idea. Tragically, Val Branch, (NOT a character in the play) one of the candidates, is killed in a white-water rafting accident. But was it an accident? And if not, who would want to kill Val and why? Could it have been one of the panel, or could it have been one of the other candidates, the ambitious Carla Prendergast, the sweet and anxious Rosey Slater, the anorakish Simon Cooper or the flattering Brigitte Bennett? Surely no one could have been so heartless. Or could they? Put your prejudices to one side, suspend your disbelief, remove your inhibitions and prepare yourself to be taken on a white-water ride of you own. But don’t forget to hang on, because it might just be a bumpy ride, and you’ll need your wits about you to avoid falling over the side yourself!
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Bumped Off! – John McDermott (2003) (8,051words)
Colonel Sir Rodney Gung-Ho, a retired army officer dedicated to huntin’, shootin’ and fishin’ and his good lady wife, the inimitable Lady Phyllis Gung-Ho decide to invite some friends round to their country home. The Colonel, who is not fond of visitors at the best of times, faces the prospect with a stalwart acceptance born of years of years under his wife’s cultured but insistent thumb. His one ally in this life is Stanley Binge, the family butler and his former batman from army days. On the guest list we have an unlikely threesome: Winnie Miller, a very American friend of Lady Phyllis’s, her daughter, the tearful and sincere Sadie Miller, and Sadie’s fiancé, the untrustworthy and oily Oliver Smooche, local bookmaker and latter-day Lothario. Caroline Gung-Ho, daughter to the Colonel and Lady Gung-Ho, and her fiancé, the well-meaning but rather dim minister of the church, Reverend Claude Smithers, make up the cast list. Oliver proves to be everyone’s favourite person to hate for a variety of reasons, Rodney because he owes the wretch a good deal of money, Caroline and her mother because Oliver threatens to reveal the truth of an old romance from university days and Binge because Smooche ill treated his daughter a number of years ago. Sadie and her mother, in their turn, discover that ‘Our Ollie’ is about to end his relationship with fiancée Sadie so they too have their motive. Perhaps the only character without a death wish for poor Oliver (aren’t you beginning to feel sorry for him now?) is the ineffectual and ineffective Reverend Claude Smithers. Or is he? Make up your own minds.
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Cyanide with Rosie – John McDermott (2006) (11,104 words)
The play opens with Sam Parkinson, a not-too-bright petty criminal, breaking in to the lounge of the Seaview Hotel in the small hours for a pre-arranged meeting with the penniless Major Rupert Browne, his ally and associate. The Major is an ex-army captain turned con man. The Major is aware of the interest in him as a potential husband on the part of Rose Winterbottom, the Seaview’s domineering landlady. The Major, seeing an opportunity to make money from a possible marriage, is planning his moves carefully so as to get the maximum out of the situation. In order to achieve his aims the Major wants Sam Parkinson to get a job on the staff so he can report back on the kitchen gossip.
There is a seasonal job going and Sam has had experience as a footman (until he nicked some silver) and with the demand for staff in the town, he should have a good chance of landing the job. In the meantime the Major wants Sam to look at the safe with a view to robbing it at a later date when he, the Major, has an alibi. The Major wants Sam to get all the kitchen gossip to find out what Mona Brewer and her husband Alastair Brewer are planning. Mona is Rose’s younger sister and timid by disposition; Alastair is the hotel’s chef and a persistent grumbler with a fondness for drink. He resents the treatment his wife, Mona, receives from her older sister, Rosie. Plan A is for the Major to increase his wealth by marrying Rosie. If this fails, then Plan B is for the Major and Sam to make off with the family silver.
A week later and Alastair and Mona are discussing the situation with Rosie. Alastair is complaining about Rosie, but Mona defends her older sister; Sam is discovered listening at the keyhole. The Major and Sam discuss progress in their plans. Rosie appears to inform a delighted Major that she has had her will drawn up in his favour. Sharon Carter, the Major’s estranged wife, appears. She is tracking down her errant husband. This clearly means bad news for the Major who, on discovering this, then attempts to convince Sharon, in telephone conversation, that he has fled to New Zealand.
Sam and the Major discuss the Major’s predicament. The Major is then forced to explain himself to Sharon, using the excuse of amnesia. Sam, in his turn, then explains the situation in an attempt to support the Major. Alastair feels he needs to ‘sort out’ Rosie.
Rosie is murdered. But who is the perpetrator? Could it be the penniless Major, newly written into Rosie’s will, or perhaps the faithful Sam? Suicide seems not to be an option, but angry revenge by Alastair or Mona or a combination of both, is a distinct possibility. And what about Sharon? Personal jealousy and female rivalry have been strong motives throughout history. Only you can decide. All is revealed in Act 2 when, as always, the murderer is exposed!
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Murder Through the Ether – Chris McDermott (2008) 11,905 words
A family meet following the death of the father, Ronald ‘Knockers’ Johnson at the age of 57. They are accompanied by the vicar and friend of Ronald’s, the dithering Rev Cuthbert Wood. It is Cuthbert’s duty to pass on Ronald’s wishes by reading his will. But there is tension between Ronald’s wife, Edith Johnson, and his current live-in lover, Camilla Pavel, women in their late forties or early fifties. What Edith lacks in compassion she makes up for in sternness. Camilla is a much more emotional soul and, as such, the two women are foils for one another. Similarly, Edith and Ronald’s two children, now in their twenties, adopt contrasting attitudes to life. Robin, at 27, is something of a playboy whereas his younger sister Ronnie, also in her twenties, is determined to become a successful accountant. The cast is completed by Eric ‘The Red’ Johnson, the deceased’s brother and would-be political revolutionary and secondary school science teacher. All have motive and opportunity to have killed Ronald, but did he, in fact, die of natural causes? The play begins with an attempted denouement, but matters are further complicated when another member of our cast loses their life. Surely this cannot be murder as well? The conundrum our actors set is in two halves: just who, if anyone, was murdered and, if so, was the murderer the same person in each case? One character even proposes the solution that the second death takes place under the guidance of the deceased, Ronald Johnson. Indeed, if correct, that would present us with a definite case of ‘Murder Through the Ether’.
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Murder in the Open Air – Chris McDermott- 2008. 13,659 words (including title page and dramatis personae)
The setting is a camp site which is to act as the venue for the school reunion of a group of ex-grammar school pupils 25 years on. The reunion has been convened by the dashing Tom Pankhurst, the Mr Popularity 25 years ago. As the story enfolds, we discover that Tom is not as popular as we at first thought, and each of the other seven characters appears to have a motive for disliking him. For one of the not-so-happy campers, this dislike even extends to murder; but which one? Could it be the football-obsessed Paolo McIntosh, whose efforts to persuade the fairer sex to enter into some kind of libidinous relationship are thwarted by his obsession with football’s offside rule? Perhaps it is the dog-loving Celia Parsnip, intent on founding her very own dog-centred academy? Then there are the quieter characters, the studious soil scientist, Andrew Ritson, and the Special Needs teacher, Rhona Gray – could they be hiding darker secrets? Throw in Stephen Goodridge, formerly entangled in Murder at the Manor, and his ex-girlfriend (Soon to be a relationship re-kindled?) Karen Samson nee Wilson, not to mention to jargon-obsessed ‘Glorious’ Gloria Peckham, a woman focussed on her ‘emotional hardrive,’ and we have a conundrum perplexing for even the very brightest of sleuths. Do you think you could solve the riddle that is our Murder in the Open Air?
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