The Mystery of Irma Vep: A Penny Dreadful (The Ridiculous Theatrical Co.)

this is such an amazing show. 2 ppl, playing multiple characters. it's every actors dream.this play is similar to a murder mystery that was played on tv back in the day. highly recommend reading/ performing.

THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP is supposed to be a comical satire of gothic literature. The plot of the play revolves around Lord Edgar and his new wife, Lady Enid. Lord Edgar seems to love Lady Enid, but is also haunted by the memory of his first wife, Irma Vep, and their child, both of who apparently died in a mysterious fashion. In the first act, Lady Enid spends much of the time discussing Lord Edgar with the maid, Jane Twisden, and a swineherd named Nicodemus. The second act follows Lord Edgar as he uncovers an ancient tomb of a princess in what is apparently Egypt. The final act returns to the setting of Act I, the Mandacrest estate. Here Lady Enid actually meets Irma Vep. Both werewolves and vampires make appearances.The play is written solely for two actors who are supposed to be the same sex. Between the two of them, the two actors play eight total roles and the show includes over thirty different costume changes.THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP is a play that is probably much funnier to see on stage than it actually is to read from the page. Reading the play, there were times I became bored by it: it reminded me of poorly written version of WUTHERING HEIGHTS with some gothic elements thrown in. There were a few laugh out moments (particularly in the third act), but overall, the script doesn't read well. What makes the play funny is the knowledge that there are two actors playing all the roles and imagining what they would like and how a scene would be pulled off. That's where the humor of the show lies. Unfortunately, many people just reading this script probably won't realize that.If you get an opportunity to see a staged production of THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP, it will probably be worth your while. If you're just looking for a play to read (and aren't trying to select a play to perform), then I'd skip this one.