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Ken Ludwig's The Game's Afoot

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  5w, 3m

It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous.

Ken Ludwig's The Game's Afoot

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    5w, 3m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Farce, Mystery/Thriller, Christmas/Holiday
  • Suggested Use
    • Monologues
    • Scene Work
    • Competition or Audition Material
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Appropriate for All Audiences
Accolades
Accolades
  • Winner! 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allen Poe Award, Best Play
Ken Ludwig's The Game's Afoot

Details

Summary
It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. It is then up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.

MADGE GIESEL
SIMON BRIGHT
DARIA CHASE
INSPECTOR GORING
AGGIE WHEELER
MARTHA GILLETTE
WILLIAM GILLETTE
FELIX GEISEL

  • Time Period 1930s
  • Features Period Costumes
  • Additional Features Physical Comedy, Stage Combat, Special Effects
  • Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
  • Cautions
    • Gun Shots

Media

 “A wild and funny ride... gives you everything you love about great live theatre!” – Cleveland Examiner

“An inspired whodunit […] a snappy, clever drawing-room mystery. There are twists in playwright Ken Ludwig’s The Game’s Afoot that cause the audience to gasp.” – The Cleveland Plain Dealer

The Game’s Afoot is Murderously Funny!” – Broadway World Cleveland

“The play evolves like a mystery thriller, as one tantalizing clue leads to another […] In 1936, at the height of the Great Depression, people flocked to the theater for a few hours of escapism from hard times. Today, in our current recession, here is an antidote and the ideal holiday present - the gift of laughter.” – Cleveland Jewish News

“Ludwig demonstrates the theatrical equivalent of perfect pitch.” – Cleveland Scene

“From the intriguing opening mini play-within-a-play to the surprise last scene a split second before final curtain, The Game’s Afoot gives you everything you love about great live theatre. Billed as a comedy thriller, you will find yourself swept along for a wild and funny ride.” – Cleveland Examiner

“A hilarious, quirky and thrilling alternative to your standard holiday entertainment. The Game’s Afoot is the perfect gift for the holidays..a fantastically fun night out at the theatre. It’s something we can be proud of as a city” – ClueintoCleveland.com

For more info, visit kenludwig.com.

Videos

  • Meet The Playwright: Ken Ludwig youtube thumbnail

    Meet The Playwright: Ken Ludwig

  • Ken Ludwig's "The Game's Afoot"  at Peninsula Players Theatre youtube thumbnail

    Ken Ludwig's "The Game's Afoot" at Peninsula Players Theatre

  • Asolo Rep's The Game's Afoot youtube thumbnail

    Asolo Rep's The Game's Afoot

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

    Please submit a license request to determine availability.

Scripts

Available Formats:

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Authors

Ken Ludwig

Ken Ludwig has had six productions on Broadway and eight in London’s West End. His 34 plays and musicals are staged around the world and throughout the United States every night of the year.

His first play, Lend Me a Tenor, won two Tony Awards and was called “one of the classi ...

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