Reserve Two for Murder
CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
WOMEN-
HELEN SMITH: Late teens-early 20s. Pretty, but intense. Mysterious background. Actress in play within the play.
MRS. NAOMI EDWARDS: 20s-30s. Mature woman, Edwards’ wife. Actress in play within the play.
MRS. INGLEFRITZ: 30s-40s. Slangy and course in speech. Mother of Eloise. Audience member.
ELOISE: Aged about 9. Mrs. Inglefritz’s bratty little girl. Audience member.
MISS MARTHA GREGORY: 20s-early 30s. Pretty in a weak, colorless way. Beautician and audience member.
SALLY LYNCH: 20s-early 30s. Tough hard-boiled woman who has had to fight her way in the world. Usher at theater.
MRS. GEORGE THURSTON-ALLEN: 40s-50s. An art patron. Handsome society woman. Very well dressed. Audience member.
MEN-
JOHN RANDALL: Any age. Dark, handsome. Playwright of/actor in play within the play. Minor role.
SERGEANT MIKE KENNEDY: Any age. Hard-boiled detective. Solid-looking and tenacious, but not very intelligent. Audience member at play. Major speaking role.
SAM LEE: 20s-30s. Slight Chinese accent. Deliberate and scholarly in manner. Kennedy’s partner and audience member. Major speaking role.
WILLIAM RUSSELL: 20s-early 30s. Tall, good-looking. Manager of the theatre.
DR. MARTIN EDWARDS: 20s-30s. Dignified, well-dressed man. Constantly gives the impression of knowing much more than he imparts. Husband of Mrs. Edwards and audience member.
PATROLMAN SCHULTZ: Any age. Energetic. Policeman.
IVAN STRANGE: 20s-40s. Tall, dark and suave. He should be “oily” in appearance, smooth in speech. Audience member.
