Arsenic and Old Lace

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"A shame...a nice family like this hatching a cuckoo." - Rated
DAlthough these words refer to Teddy Brewster in this hilarious play by Joseph Kesselring, they could have applied equally to most of the other members of the Brewster household. Teddy thinks he is Teddy Roosevelt, always "charging" upstairs when he is not in the basement digging "locks for the Panama Canal." His two elderly aunts, with whom he lives, also have their own bizarre secret, for which the hand-dug "locks" in the basement are employed to good effect.

Jonathan, Teddy's "disagreeable" brother, who disappeared many years ago, returns during the play with secrets of his own. With his face altered by plastic surgery, he is accompanied by Dr. Einstein, with whom he plans to set up an operating room in the house so the doctor can give new faces to criminals. The only normal person in the family is Mortimer, a drama critic who hates plays, engaged to marry Elaine, the innocent daughter of the minister next door. Mortimer is particularly upset by Jonathan's return--"the most detestable, vicious, venomous form of animal life I ever knew."

The frantic action, the ironies, the comic routines, and the dramatic surprises all center around two bodies, hidden at various times in the window seat of the living room, and the reactions to them by the various people within the household. The local police, friends of Aunt Abby and Aunt Martha, stop by to chat, have coffee, and protect these "sweet" old ladies, often at the worst possible moments, while Mortimer tries to decide what to do about his strange family and the bodies in the house.

Arsenic and Old Lace is such a strong play, with so many hilarious moments, that it is not surprising that this is a staple of local theaters and high school drama groups. Much of the play involves sight gags, contretemps, and weird characters behaving outrageously. Careful delivery of lines and subtlety of gesture are far less important here than the high- speed action, over-the-top characterizations, and split second timing of entrances and exits. One of the funniest and most often performed plays of American theater, Arsenic and Old Lace is as delightful in the twenty-first century as it was when it was first performed in 1941. Mary Whipple

Great Fun to produce - Rated
Although slightly different from the classic film, this play read wonderfully. So I am producing it in York at Easter 2002. The characters that are fully formed on the page just beg to be made real.
The play has hardly dated and some of the funniest lines come from the two old dears at the centre of the story. For those of you that enjoy reading plays this is a must.

old classic, young fanatic - Rated
I just received my copy of this book and am throughly pleased with it. I have seen the film several times and find that this item certainly completes my collection. The play is very funny and a perfect read for those looking for a good comedy. It may be an old play, but it hasn't lost any of it's charm. Between President Roosovelt and the return of evil Johnathan there is plenty to keep the reader interested. I especially like Dr Einstein and the eagle-eyed detectives. Hilarious capers all will love. Those two nice ladies down your street, are they an aunt Abbey or aunt Martha? Definately worth a look, especially if youre looking for something different to the modern comedies - classics are the best!

old classic, young fanatic - Rated
I just received my copy of this book and am throughly pleased with it. I have seen the film several times and find that this item certainly completes my collection, as I now have the video on order. The play is very funny and a perfect read for those looking for a good comedy. It may be an old play, but it hasn't lost any of it's charm. This is a nice change to the film as there is more detail, the humour is very evident even using imagination to view it. I may be young but this 'oldie' is certainly a favourite. Between President Roosovelt and evil Johnathan there is plenty to keep the reader interested. I especially like Dr Einstein. Hilarious capers all will love. Definately worth a look, especially if youre looking for something different to the modern comedies - classics are the best!

General Reading - hoping to perform! - Rated
Having just read the script - it is a very funny play - with a few twists! On a basic scenery it seems to be a basic - easy to perform play! I look forward to seeing it produced on stage!