Silent, But Deadly
by Don Zolidis

Silent, But Deadly Book Cover — Silent, But Deadly Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

90 mins Present Day Expandable Casting Flexible Cast Size Room for Extras Unit Set/Multiple Settings Period Costumes Comedy

Synopsis

The set of the silent thriller Das Vampyr, Scourge of the Night is in desperate trouble.

The director is a perfectionist, the actors are in revolt, the producers are about to pull the plug and everyone seems to be plotting to murder the lead actress.

But when one of the conspirators ends up dead instead, it’s up to famed detective Valentina Caravelli to unravel the mystery.

Acclaimed playwright Don Zolidis has created another laugh-out-loud send-up of a classic genre, with twists and turns and ghouls and glitterati all present for the most thrilling goings-on backstage at a silent movie production you’re ever likely to see.

With fantastic opportunities for young casts to stretch their range and play roles with charm, vigor and Hollywood glamor, Silent, but Deadly is another Zolidis play sure to delight audiences and students alike.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
PRINCIPALS	—	—	—
DESDEMONA O’TOOLE a silent film star. Kind of a handful. (she/her)	—	—	a silent film star. Kind of a handful. (she/her)
KERMIT VON HOVEL a strange man, playing the role of Das Vampyr. Might actually be a vampire. (he/him)	male	—	a strange man, playing the role of Das Vampyr. Might actually be a vampire. (he/him)
F.G. MACINTOSH the director of the film, trying to salvage his dying career. (he/him, but could be any)	male	—	the director of the film, trying to salvage his dying career. (he/him, but could be any)
SADIE NORTH a washed-up actress at the age of twenty-six, playing the role of the nun. (she/her)	female	—	a washed-up actress at the age of twenty-six, playing the role of the nun. (she/her)
WALKER BRONCO a silent film star, playing the role of the romantic hero. (he/him)	—	—	a silent film star, playing the role of the romantic hero. (he/him)
JENS SVARLBARD a producer on the film. Swedish. (he/him, but could be any)	—	—	a producer on the film. Swedish. (he/him, but could be any)
GRACIE LANSDOWNE Jens’ assistant, very sunny (she/her, but could be any)	—	—	Jens’ assistant, very sunny (she/her, but could be any)
SUSAN WORLEY a makeup artist. (she/her)	—	—	a makeup artist. (she/her)
COOKIE the caterer. (she/her)	—	—	the caterer. (she/her)
VIRGINIA MOUNTBATTEN a dresser. A hopeful actress. (she/her)	female	—	a dresser. A hopeful actress. (she/her)
VALENTINA CARAVELLI the detective. Italian. (she/her)	—	—	the detective. Italian. (she/her)
OTHER ROLES	—	—	—
GUS holds the clacker. (any gender)	—	—	holds the clacker. (any gender)
GIRLS later vampire spawn. Playing six other residents of Mother Framingham’s Finishing School for Delinquent Young Ladies:	female	—	later vampire spawn. Playing six other residents of Mother Framingham’s Finishing School for Delinquent Young Ladies:
GIRL 1 the ringleader.	—	—	the ringleader.
GIRL 2 an innocent.	—	—	an innocent.
GIRL 3 the bruiser.	—	—	the bruiser.
GIRL 4 the flapper.	—	—	the flapper.
GIRL 5 a mess, the crazy one.	—	—	a mess, the crazy one.
GIRL 6 a debutante.	—	—	a debutante.
THE RAKE a silent role in the summary, can be played by one of the GIRLS.	female	—	a silent role in the summary, can be played by one of the GIRLS.
MOTHER and FATHER silent roles in the summary, can be played by one of the GIRLS.	female	—	silent roles in the summary, can be played by one of the GIRLS.