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Death By Fiat
A two-act play by Richard LaViolette

July 2008
Directed by Vanessa Roman
Original Music by Brad Slavik

A new mystery play in the tradition of Agatha Christie. It’s 1946, a year after the end of World War II in Europe, Sir Hugo Partridge is a wealthy British Peer with a widowed young daughter, Joyce, who against his wishes is in love with police chief inspector Derek Ruthven. Sir Hugo also has a dark past. Shunned by most high society, he nevertheless has connections with the Royals, British Peerage and American industrialists. He has a deadly secret which will earn him a bullet. The murder is investigated by Ruthven, who has his own secrets, but with suspects, all with motives, that include Sir Hugo’s daughter.

“A charming drama that plays tribute to the whodunit style of Agatha Christe …” – Mark Bretz  Ladue News

CAST

CHEIF INSPECTOR DEREK RUTHVEN JOYCE HAVILAND DANIELLE TRUSCOTT SIR TREVOR RICHARDSON SIR HUGO PARTRIDGE TRISTAN CRADDICK MRS. HOSKINS LADY CELIA PARTRIDGE SUPERINDENTANT STUART PALMER JACK HANOVER SERGEANT MOORE SEDLAK

James Enstall Jessica LaBozzetta Belinda Quimby Joe Wegescheide Robert Beck Jard Nenninger Nancy Crouse Judy Yordon Tom Kavanaugh Tom Bell Michael Brick Charles Heuvelman

Chief Inspector Derek Ruthven (James Enstall) meets his fiance Joyce Haviland (Jessica LaBozzetta) and her friend Danielle Truscott (Belinda Quimby) at Joyce's apartment. That weekend at the estate of Joyce's father, Sir Hugo Partridge (Robert Beck), Sir Hugo listens to a theatrical proposition made by Danielle and her friend Tristan Craddick (Jard Nenninger). The next day Sir Hugo's widow, Lady Celia Partridge (Judy E. Yordon) is comforted by Superintendent Stuart Palmer (Tom Kavanaugh) as they await the arrival of the investigating officer for the murder case, Derek Ruthven. Ruthven is assisted in the investigation by Sergeant Moore (Michael Brick), as they interview Miss Truscott.

Ruthven is also there to meet with his former boss at MI-5 Sir Trevor Richardson (Joe Wegeschiede). Ruthven is still working for MI-5 and is undercover investigating escaped Nazi war criminals. Sir Trevor gives him the next part of his assignment involving a high placed traitor to the crown. Mrs. Hoskins (Nancy Crouse) enters the study later in the evening and discovers Sir Hugo's body, shot twice. Among the suspects is American businessman Jack Hanover (Tom Bell). A close friend of Sir Hugo's and also shares part of his dark past. Ruthven has a final confrontation with his final suspect, the Czech groom Sedlak (Charles Heuvelman). Was he the real killer or does Ruthven have other motives.