stage plays by ian hornby
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The Winter Of Discontent
    thriller 4m 4f full length
   
  Brian/Sir Sydney

Mystery novelist and womaniser Brian is obsessed with the murder games he writes. Wife Pam and three other couples turn up to his latest epic "The Winter of Discontent" with varying degrees of enthusiasm. Cynical Steve, Brian's publisher, simply does not want to go, whilst wife Ros seems quite keen, despite Brian's reputation. Hard-up Andy is convinced that Brian fancies his attractive wife Zoe. Apparently happily-married Colin and Marie are the least reluctant. Finally Pam has been cast as the dowdy cook one time too often. We witness the couples' preparations for the game, and see their worst sides displayed. Then we attend the game itself, set in Brian's much-modified house (complete with thunderclaps, dead phones, secret panels and plenty of hidden cameras and microphones). Nobody is surprised when Brian is poisoned during the meal - but is this part of the game or has one of the guests enacted revenge? Brian's fondness for special effects means they are locked in the isolated house with no outside communication, so they must solve the crime - if indeed it is a crime - for real.
  Pam/Agnes the cook

Brian's wife
  Steve/Reginald Arquette

  Ros/Clarissa Arquette

Steve's wife
  Andy/Bosson the gardener

  Zoe/Monique the maid

Andy's wife
  Colin/Roberts the butler

  Marie/Amanda the secretary

Colin's wife