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False Pretences

Full-Length Play, Comedy  /  2w, 5m

Eric Chappell

Estate agent Kevin and his wife Valerie are to be subjected to an extended visit from her brother Victor, a none too successful con artist who has just been released from prison. Victor is delighted to hear that wealthy widow Lucy is also staying with them and it isn’t long before he sets about char…

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 5m

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Summary
Estate agent Kevin and his wife Valerie are to be subjected to an extended visit from her brother Victor, a none too successful con artist who has just been released from prison. Victor is delighted to hear that wealthy widow Lucy is also staying with them and it isn’t long before he sets about charming her with a valuable diamond bracelet he’s got on approval from the local jeweler’s using the unwitting Kevin as surety. But when events don’t go quite according to plan Victor is forced to improvise very rapidly, not least with the bullish rugby playing bank manager, Tank, and his fellow team mate, Tom, the local jeweler. And then a surprise visitor turns up in the form of Soapy Simpson (not so much artist by appointment to Her Majesty but rather more detained at Her Majesty’s pleasure).

Will Kevin ever be able to hold his head up in the local community again? Will Tom ever get rid of the taste of washing crystals? Will Soapy manage to complete a portrait? Will Lucy fall prey to Victor’s charms? Will nothing stop the incorrigible Victor?… BAFTA award-winning Eric Chappell, delivers the hilarious goods again with this madcap comedy.
KEVIN - an estate agent; late 30s. 
VALERIE - his wife; 30s. 
LUCY - their attractive, vivacious friend; 30s.
VICTOR - Valerie's brother, pale, well groomed; early 40s. 
TANK - big, robust, self-important bank manager; 50. 
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Eric Chappell

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