Unfortunates, The
- Full Length Play, Drama, Victorian (British and American)
- 1F
- ISBN: TRW-13409
Mary Jane Kelly has a problem. She’s a pound forty behind in her rent, her window is broken, she has lost her key, and her boyfriend just moved out. And it’s 1888—not a good time to be poor and “unfortunate” on the streets of London.
More information
Description
- Full Length Play
- Drama
- Time Period: Victorian (British and American)
- Target Audience: Adult
- Set Requirements: Unit Set/Multiple Settings
- Cautions: Mild Adult Themes
- Performance Group:
- College Theatre / Student, Community Theatre
In this intimate ghost story, Mary Jane Kelly has a problem. She’s a pound forty behind in her rent, her window is broken, she has lost her key, and her boyfriend just moved out. And it’s 1888—not a good time to be poor and “unfortunate” on the streets of London. Somewhere out there in the foggy shadows, Jack the Ripper, one of the world’s most notorious criminals is at work. Mary only has two ways to secure her own front door. One of them is prostitution. The other is selling something she shouldn’t have in the first place, something she’ll have to betray her murdered best friend and herself to give up.
REVIEWS:
"Aoise Stratford’s jaw-dropping play…is an hour and a half of theater that is not to be missed!"
NJ Arts Maven
"The Unfortunates achieves a rare combination of pathos and humor."
Time Out New York
"A captivating portrait…an honest, three-dimensional, flesh-and-blood portrayal… an absolute must-see."
Chicago Theatre Reviews
Characters
- Casting: 1F
- Casting Attributes: Strong Role for Leading Woman (Star Vehicle), Expandable casting
- Casting Notes: This volume includes two versions of the play. The first, as it was originally written, for one actor, and the second, adapted for a company of 5-8 actors
LANDLORD — a Whitechapel slum-lord.
POLICEMAN — an East Ender policeman.
LUCY — a prostitute.
CATH EDDOWES — a prostitute and alcoholic, 50s.
LIZ STRIDE — a prostitute and alcoholic, 40s, Swedish. Missing her teeth.
JOE — a Fishporter, Mary’s on and off boyfriend.
CHARLIE — a policeman, Mary’s friend.
MR MARCH — a gentleman, client of a West End brothel.
PROPRIETRESS — madam of a West End brothel.
COUSIN — a prostitute, Welsh.
3 WITNESSES — a gossip, a vigilante, a gentleman.
CONSTABLE HUTT — senior policeman and desk clerk. Irish.
CONSTABLE WATKINS — a rookie beat policeman.
INQUISITOR — runs the Ripper inquest.
DOCTOR BROWN — an experienced autopsy doctor.
