Stage Plays by Ian Hornby


Courtesy Halfway Theatre

 

Shades of Blue
Play - single set - 4m 1f or 3m 2f

Synopsis
David is a retired Policeman, terminally ill. Daughter June blames him for her mother's suicide years before so she and husband Alan plan his murder for the inheritance. They hire the shady Jones to do the job, little knowing that David didn't retire - he was discreetly sacked for criminal activities, and Jones was one of his criminal friends. There is honour among thieves - Jones will not see David murdered nor the couple escape. Yet David is shot… 

Note that Peters could be played by a woman. With very minor changes, the part of David could easily be played by a disabled actor.

 

Character Lines
Alan June's husband

88

David a retired policeman

24

June David's daughter

82

Jones a seedy criminal

60

Peters * a Police detective

34

* note that, with minor changes, Peters could be played by a woman

Author's notes
I originally intended this for radio, but the BBC weren't biting. I remember planning most of it whilst sitting in a car at lunchtime at Yeadon, next to Leeds-Bradford Airport. I was working for a company at the airport industrial estate - the very building where they used to build Lancaster Bombers. Far from having any "romance" about the place, it was filthy and unwelcoming, so sitting in the car, a wrapper full of Yorkshire fish and chips by my side, made the perfect place to be creative.