(images from original performance, produced by Moveable Mystery Dinners)
A comic, interactive murder mystery in three acts.
4m, 3f, 1 pianist (optional)
SYNOPSIS:
London, 1925. American reporter Elaine Whales is covering the unveiling of the newly-discovered mummy of King Knum-Khufu. She finds herself with the story of a lifetime when the sarcophagus is opened and, instead of the mummy, the exhibit’s manager is found dead inside. Has the mummy risen to take revenge on those who have desecrated his tomb? Or is this a case of old fashion murder?
“Elaine Whales and the Mummy of King Khufu” is a wildly comical interactive mystery with a whopping five alternate endings to keep audiences coming back. Contains mild expletives.
CHARACTERS:
Elaine Whales – (20s) An American journalist who takes on the role of detective; doesn't back down from anyone.
Dr. Madeline Pierce – (30s-40s) An English archeologist, headed the expedition that discovered the mummy; has to fight for the respect of her male peers.
Dr. Edmund Fisher – (30s-40s) Another English archeologist, and Madeline's partner on the expedition; a coward and a klutz.
Will Pratt – (teens-20s) A poor English actor with a stutter; has eyes for Mable.
Mable Lee – (teens-20s) A poor English actress, desperate for something to eat; has dreams of stardom.
Kharis Bey – (30s-40s) An Egyptian high priest of Anubis, furious that the mummy has been removed from its homeland.
Boris Ripper – (30s-50s) An English entrepreneur, head financier of the exhibit, and a jerk.
Jimmy Ripper – (30s-50s) A Scottish gangster, Boris's brother and an even bigger jerk.
Sgt. Nathaniel Ripper – (30s-50s) An Irish officer with Scotland Yard; brother to both Boris and Jimmy.
Steve Sommers – (30s-40s) A London reporter.
Boris, Jimmy, and Sgt. Ripper are all played by the same actor.
Steve Sommers and Kharis Bey are played by the same actor.
(images from 2015 production by Foul Play Cafe)
EXCERPT FROM THE SCRIPT
(At the song’s end, the two draw back the stage curtains, revealing the sarcophagus standing behind. FISHER mounts the stage.)
FISHER
And now, ladies and gentlemen, prepare your eyes to see the likes of which that have not been...uh, for over four thousand years. Yes, the...the thing which we our valiant expedition discovered...in the...
(He hurries to the sarcophagus and throws open the lid, looking out toward the audience)
Presenting the mummy of King Khufu!
(The bloody body of BORIS topples out of the sarcophagus onto the stage. Everyone gasps. MABLE clings to WILL. DR. FISHER screams like a woman.)
KHARIS BEY
By the gods!
ELAINE
(Scribbling in her notebook)
Holy Mackerel! Things just got interesting!
PIERCE
Is he...?
FISHER
(Can’t bring himself to look at the body)
I...I’m not sure.
PIERCE
Well, check, for God’s sake!
FISHER
(Still refusing to look)
Umm....Boris? Are you alright?
(Beat)
I don’t think he’s alright.
KHARIS BEY
You see! This is what I tried to warn you all about! Now the curse is upon us! The mummy has taken his revenge against his desecrater!
FISHER
(Clearly frightened)
Sir, please....You’re upsetting the women.
PIERCE
We’ve got to find it! We’ve got to find the mummy!
MABLE
You think it’s really come to life?
PIERCE
Of course not! But if it’s been stolen...
(KHARIS BEY is on his way to the door.)
ELAINE
Where are you going?
KHARIS BEY
(Stopping)
I see no reason to remain here. And as Dr. Pierce has stated, the mummy must be found.
(KHARIS BEY starts for the door again.)
ELAINE
Huh.
(Writing in her pad)
“Kharis Bey flees scene of crime after heated argument with the victim.”
KHARIS BEY
(Stopping)
I am not fleeing the scene of the crime, madam. But in light of Mr. Ripper’s death, this hardly seems like a safe place to be.
(Sees everyone staring at him)
However, if you feel I can be of some assistance here, I will gladly remain.
ELAINE
Smart move.
FISHER
Well, clearly there’s only one logical course of action. Dinner must be brought out.
PIERCE
What? Are you mad?
FISHER
No, not at all. Let’s have Mr. Ripper removed from the dining room. Um...
(Takes a step away from the body)
Somebody.
(FISHER looks to PIERCE.)
PIERCE
Don’t look at me. I couldn’t stand to be near him when he was alive.
FISHER
(Turning to MABLE and WILL)
You two.
MABLE
What? Us?
WILL
W-w-w-why us?
FISHER
Because...
(Moves halfway across the room)
You’re closest to him.
(They don’t move)
Come on, now! Boris hired you to help clear the room, didn’t he?...I-I’ll give you another pound each.
(MABLE and WILL look at each other, and begrudgingly resign to the task of removing BORIS from the room.)
FISHER (CONT’D)
Karl. Play something.
(KARL plays Chopin’s “Funeral March”)
Something else.
(KARL plays something upbeat and ragtimey as the two performers carry BORIS from the room.)
To license this play or for a copy of the full script, go ahead and shoot me a message. Be sure to include the intended performance dates, the location and seating capacity of the venue.