In this mystery/thriller which has become a regional staple, it is April 1922 and the cast of William Gillette’s latest Broadway revival of "Sherlock Holmes" has assembled for a weekend of relaxation at his magnificent medieval castle overlooking the Connecticut River.
For entertainment, heart-throb Gillette has arranged a séance. Now the scene is set for his greatest role. Someone is trying to murder Gillette and he suspects it is one of his guests.
Intrepid, eccentric and wildly romantic, Gillette plans to solve the case himself à la Sherlock Holmes. This is the play that served as model for Ludwig’s later play, The Game’s Afoot.
Reviews
"Zestfully trots out all the classic murder mystery devices: shots in the dark and darkly held secrets, deathbed letters, guns and knives and bottles bashed over the head, ghosts and hiders behind curtains and misbegotten suspicions. There are moments when you'll jump. Guaranteed."
- The Telegraph
"A Sherlock Holmes who done it kind of mystery packed with suspects and tinged with suspense and laughter."
- The London Times
"Take a clever script by Ken Ludwig, mix well with a capable troupe of players, sprinkle with rich visuals of stage and costume, and you've got a recipe for a delightful evening."
- Brantford Expositor - Canada
Original Cast and Creative Team
PostMortem was first presented at the American Stage Festival, Milford, New Hampshire in July, 1983, directed by Larry Carpenter, Set Design by John Falabella, Costume Design by David Murin, Lighting by John Gisondi
The cast was as follows:
MACREADY—Ross Patterson; BOBBY CARLYLE—Richard Backus; MAY DISON —Kristin Griffith; MARION BARRETT—Alice White; LEO BARRETT—George Ede; WILLIAM GILLETTE—Patrick Horgan; LILLY WARNER —Helen Lloyd Breed; LOUISE PARRADINE—Carol Mayo Jenkins
The play was subsequently presented at the Cleveland Playhouse on January 18, 1985, Directed by Dennis Zacek, Set Design and Lighting by Richard Gould, Costume design by Frances Blau.
The cast was as follows:
MACREADY—Harold Merton; BOBBY CARLYLE —Wayne S. Turney; MAY DISON — Catherine Long; MARION BARRETT—Cassandra Wolfe; LEO BARRETT—John Buck, Jr.; WILLIAM GILLETTE—Thomas S. Oleniacz; LILLY WARNER—Providence Hollander; LOUISE PARRADINE—Sharon Bicknell