A SAMUEL FRENCH, INC. TITLE

Four Winds

Full-Length Play  /  4w, 5m

Alex Atkinson

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    4w, 5m

Details

Summary
Molly and her husband Steve are living on the Yorkshire moors in a small house that is part home and part cafe, which they run with the domestic help of Miriam, a young Cockney girl. One evening Edward Forrest, the local doctor, calls to see Steve, who as it happens is out. It is obvious that the doctor is under some emotional strain, and he cannot resist the urge to tell Molly that her husband has been unfaithful to her. The doctor has proof of Steve's infidelity with his own wife, and also implies that he has been carrying on with Miriam. Steve is a writer, not very successful, nor even very hard-working, and Molly who is a few years his elder is accustomed to making excuses for him. Besides she has no illusions about her own slightly colourless character, and so much doubts her ability to hold a man with a roving eye that she is all too ready to forgive him. Unlike Molly the doctor has no forgiveness - either for his own wife or for Steve - and he sits down to await the latter, with a gun in his pocket. A couple of campers seek leave to pitch their tent in a nearby field, and find themselves caught up in the events of the evening, and being lighthearted in their contempt for the seventh commandment they draw much of the doctor's fire upon themselves. Before the doctor can carry out his threat to shoot Steve, the police arrive. The doctor's wife has been found murdered - Sreve's cigarette ligher has been found on the garden path. Steve denies having been anywhere near the house that evening, but when the Police Inspector shows how suspicion could fall on Molly he has to admit to a lie. Hoping to force a confession, the Inspector produces the half of a torn letter written by Steve and found in the dead woman's hand, and when Molly produces the other half which was handed to her earlier by the doctor it is quite evident who the murderer is. 
  • Setting The living-room of a cottage at the edge of the moors in a remote part of Yorkshire. 

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £55 per performance plus VAT when applicable.

Authors

Author

Alex Atkinson

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