Synopsis:

Famed for their hospitality, spinsters Martha and Abby Brewster are adored by their neighbours and guests. When their nephew, Mortimer, arrives to announce his engagement, he discovers a corpse in his aunts home only to learn that his aunts not only know about the body – they were the murderers! What follows is a hilarious chain of events in this classic dark comedy where the only thing more deadly than poison is family.

Characters:

Mortimer Brewster (M) Playing Age 20s/30s – Line Count 290
The main character of the play – nephew of Abby and Martha, and engaged to Elaine. A nice man who cares for his aunts and is extremely surprised to discover their “hobby” of disposing of old men. Mortimer is the only Brewster who is relatively sane. Needs good comic timing, both verbally and physically – has an entire scene gagged and bound to a chair but still needs to be able to convey both comical expression.

Abby and Martha Brewster (F) Playing Age Late 60s- Line Count 270/188
Darling elderly ladies whose main recreation is poisoning elderly men. They are very close sisters, and aunts to Teddy, Jonathan, and Mortimer. Need to be able to come across as sweet and oblivious to the fact that they are doing any wrong, and the audience need to be on their side (despite being murderers!)

Jonathan Brewster (M) Playing Age 30s/40s (but could look older due to the plastic surgery) – Line Count 187 – Nephew of Abby and Martha, and Mortimer’s brother. A wanted serial killer who is running from the law. Jonathan is a psychopath who has had botched plastic surgery and now looks like Boris Karloff. Needs to exude evil and creates really unnerving and chilling moments in the play. Written as tall and imposing, but the character is more important than the physical attributes.

Dr Einstein (M) Playing Age 30s-50s – Line Count 114
A failed plastic surgeon and alcoholic. Has changed Jonathan’s face three times, successful only in deforming his appearance. The ‘funny’ man to Johnathan’s straight and sinister demeanour (or the Igor to Johnathan’s Frankenstein), he speaks with a heavy German accent. Strong comic character.

Elaine Harper (F) Playing Age 20s/30s – Line Count 100
Mortimer’s fiancée, and daughter of Rev. Harper. Whilst a minister’s daughter she’s surprisingly wise in the ways of the world, and has quite a strong independent streak.

Teddy Brewster (M) Playing Age 40s – Line Count 54
Nephew of Abby and Martha Brewster – believes himself to be Theodore Roosevelt. Quite a lot of charging up and down stairs involved and has an over the top personality. No previous bugle experience necessary!

Officer Brophy and Officer Klein Playing Age 20s-50s – Line Count 34/29
Police officers who regularly visit the Brewster home for tea and cookies, and who have no idea that these kindly old ladies are actually murderers.

Rev Harper (M) Playing Age 50s/60s – Line Count 26
Kindly and conservative Minister and father of Elaine, Mortimer’s bride-to-be.

Officer O’Hara (M) Playing Age 40s-50s – Line Count 52
A police officer, and would-be playwright who repeatedly pesters Mortimer to read his play. Strong comic character.

Mr Witherspoon (M) Playing Age 50s-60s – Line Count 21
The elderly superintendent of Happy Dale Sanitorium.

Lieutenant Rooney (M) Playing Age 50s – Line Count 38
A tough and dominating police officer – takes no nonsense

To Mr Gibbs (M) Playing Age 60s – Line Count 13
A bitter old man who wishes to rent a room from the Brewster sisters.

If you would like to book an audition time, or have any questions about the play or characters, please contact Annie (Director) on 0427 848 118 or Christine (President) on 0412 889 973.