What happens when you mix the brilliant wit of Noël Coward with the intricate plotting of Agatha Christie? Set during a weekend in an English country manor in 1932, Death by Design is a hilarious, delightful and mysterious mash-up of two of the greatest English writers of all time. Edward Bennett, a playwright, and his wife, Sorel Bennett, an actress, flee London and head to Cookham after a disastrous opening night. But various guests arrive unexpectedly – a conservative politician, a fiery socialist, a nearsighted ingénue, a zany modern dancer – each with a long-held secret. When one of the guests is murdered, it’s left to Bridgit, the feisty Irish maid with a macabre interest in homicide, to solve the crime. Death by Design is more than homage – it’s a new classic.
Death By Design
By Rob Urbinati
Directed By: Katrina Lebergher
Performance Dates: November 6th, 7th, 8th, 13th & 14th
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Edward Bennett: A suave, urban playwright. He is vain, dramatic, and prone to histrionics. Edward is sophisticated but easily ruffled when things don’t go his way. He treats life like one of his own plays.
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Sorel Bennett: Edward’s wife and a celebrated stage actress. She is glamorous, temperamental, and constantly “on.” Sorel is prone to grand entrances and exits, often using her charm—or her sharp tongue—to manipulate those around her.
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Bridgit: The Irish maid. She is the backbone of the house and the only one who seems to possess any common sense. She is blunt, cynical, and has zero patience for the theatrics of her employers.
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Jack: The charming and handsome chauffeur. He is youthful, energetic, and perhaps a bit too clever for his own good. He has a mysterious side and an eye for the ladies.
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Walter Pearce: A stiff, conservative politician. He represents the “old guard” of British society—boring, moralistic, and easily offended by the Bennetts’ bohemian lifestyle.
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Eric Spangle: A radical, fiery socialist. He is young, intense, and deeply committed to his political ideals. He views the wealthy elite with disdain, making him a natural foil for the other guests.
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Victoria Van Roth: An avant-garde bohemian dancer. She is eccentric, ethereal, and speaks in high-minded, artistic metaphors. She brings an air of modern, abstract weirdness to the weekend.
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Alice: A shy, sweet, and somewhat mysterious visitor who arrives unexpectedly. She appears innocent and fragile, but in a house full of actors and radicals, appearances are rarely what they seem.
All Performances will be at Holliston Town Hall, 703 Washington Street, Holliston MA 01746