Welcome to Tonight’s Catastrophe
A presentation by the Cornley Drama Society (against better judgment)
The One-Act Play That Goes Wrong
Written by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields, and Jonathan Sayer
A Sincere Letter from the Director (We Think)
Dear Esteemed Audience,
We at the Cornley Drama Society are delighted (and slightly surprised) to present our latest production, a gripping 1920s murder mystery titled The Murder at Haversham Manor. It is, without a doubt, the most ambitious play we’ve attempted since last spring’s ill-fated Cat on a Wet Tin Roof (we’ve just finished paying off the janitorial damages).
We’ve spared no expense this time (except on props, set design, lighting, acting lessons, stage combat, dialect coaching, and the fire extinguisher fund).
Please enjoy the performance. And remember: if it seems like something has gone terribly wrong… it has. But don’t worry. It’s supposed to.
Sincerely,
Chris Bean
President, Director, Stage Manager, Set Designer, Lead Actor, Box Office Assistant, Head of Security Cornley Drama Society
SYNOPSIS
It’s opening night for The Murder at Haversham Manor, a classic whodunit featuring murder, mystery, mischief, and a suspiciously fragile set. What begins as a sophisticated evening of theater quickly devolves into complete chaos. Actors forget their lines, props malfunction, the set falls apart, and personal drama spills into the spotlight.
Will Inspector Carter solve the case?
Will Florence make it through a scene without being knocked unconscious?
Will the stage stay standing until the end?
(Statistically unlikely, but let’s find out!)
