The Rats

A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE

The Rats

Short Play, Melodrama  /  2w, 2m

A short, dark story in one act.

Image: 2019 Park Square Theatre Production (Petronella J. Ytsma)

  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    2w, 2m
  • Duration
    Duration
    30 minutes
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Mystery/Thriller
  • Audience
    Target Audience
    Adult, Senior, Pre-Teen (Age 11 - 13), Teen (Age 14 - 18)

Details

Summary

Adulterous lovers, Sandra and David are called to the Torrances’ flat for evening drinks. However, no one is home. What first appears to be a simple mix up of dates turns to something far more sinister when the pair are locked in and, all at once, framed for murder.  

Part of the triple bill Rule of Three, which also features Afternoon at the Seaside and The Patient. And presented in the triple bill The Rule of Thumb which again features The Patient but with the addition of The Wasp's Nest (in place of Afternoon at the Seaside).

History

The Rats was first presented as part of Rule of Three which toured the United Kingdom in 1961 and subsequently opened at the Duchess Theatre in the West End in 1962.

SANDRA GREY
JENNIFER BRICE
DAVID FORRESTER
ALEC HANBURY
  • Time Period Present Day, 1960s
  • Setting

    The Torrances' flat in Hampstead.

  • Features Contemporary Costumes / Street Clothes, Period Costumes
  • Additional Features No intermission
  • Duration 30 minutes
  • Cautions
    • Mild Adult Themes

Media

REVIEWS

“Miss Christie brings to the horror piece The Rats, a highly ingenious plot.”  - The Stage 

Photos

  • The Rats

    Image: 2019 Park Square Theatre Production (Petronella J. Ytsma)

Music

  • Musical Style N/A (Not a musical)

Licensing & Materials

  • Minimum Fee: £40 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
    This title may have restrictions in place for London based productions. Please submit a licence request to confirm specific availability.

Scripts

Available Formats:

Authors

Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie is known throughout the world as the Queen of Crime. Her books have sold over a billion copies in English with another billion in foreign languages. She is the most widely published author of all time and, in many languages, outsold only by the Bible and Shake ...

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