incompetech.com loves you. Twitter: kmacleod
Royalty-Free Music Music FAQ Music Licenses Scoring Services
Graph/Grid Paper Mailing Labels Monthly Calendars Yearly Calendars
Theater Scripts British Authors The Movie Critic Guide to Art
Gallimaufry Name Database Send Email! Donate

The Brothers Plank

Easyshow 50
Multi-Act - Comedy by Mike Eserkaln
Cast
Male: 5
Female: 4
Some parts may be played by the same actor bring the minimum amount of actors to, 2 women and 4 men.


Description
Adoptive brothers Reginald "Plank" Plank and Thelonius "Tipsy" Plank are inept British detectives who must deal with solving mysteries, their eccentric mother and each other.

Rating
All-ages.

Additional Notes
While the setting calls for an English Manor and the deck of a steam ship this should not discourage anyone from producing with a limited budget. We acomplished the effect of a ship by clearing the stage and placing a railing at the front.

Reviews
DE PERE - It's rare to enter a theater to see a person sprawled across a table with a knife in the back and a foot dangling from a fireplace. That's the way the evening starts with "The Brothers Plank" at Venture Theatre.

This time, Eserkaln toys with words and banter and spins out contrivances endlessly, starting from the get-go.

Running gags include Snyvling's attempts to poison, bomb, drown or bop himself to oblivion; Lady Aberline's extended death scenes; and the Plank Brothers' detective competition (they even keep score).

Eserkaln starts action in an English manor and manages to put the brothers on an ocean liner headed to Brazil. Shipboard characters pop up to fuel more tomfoolery for the brothers to play off of.

Production History
Venture Theatre - De Pere, WI - 2006
Rhinelander High School - Rhinelander, WI - March 2008

Excerpt
(TIPSY opens the kitchen door. CHEF LOUDE is hanging from a noose.)

TIPSY
Oh my God! There's a dead cook in here!

PLANK
We'll never get lunch now.

TIPSY
Now who's not being serious?

PLANK
Three murders. The cook--

SNYVLING
Chef Loude.

TIPSY
I thought you were Chef Loude.

SNYVLING
I lied. Murderers do that, you know.

TIPSY
I know now. So. That's the cook in there, and you're somebody else out here, eh?

PLANK
Yeeeeeees. And the maid--

SNYVLING
Betsy.

TIPSY
They all have names Plank.

PLANK
Yeeeeees. And...

SNYVLING
Lady Rockford.

PLANK
Right. Lady Rockford. I've got it! The murderer is... HER! Betsy! She killed them both, and then killed herself. A classic case of murder suicide... murder, murder, suicide, of the worst kind.

TIPSY
She killed herself?

PLANK
Yes.

TIPSY
By stuffing herself up the chimney?

(PLANK turns and looks. He pokes at BETSY's exposed feet with his pipe while he reconsiders. Then...)

PLANK
Yeeeeeeees!

TIPSY
I don't believe you could be more wrong if you tried.

PLANK
Are you sure? Looks to me to be a clear-cut case of self-chimney stuffing of the worst kind.

TIPSY
I think--

PLANK
No! Wait! I get this one! I

License

Incompetech's "Easy 50" license was designed to bring quality scripts to your stage with minimum of hassle and complexity and maximum of flexibility.

  • Step 1) Fill out and print a simple form
  • Step 2) Pay the author (via paypal or check) at the end of the run

The script is copyrighted by its author. This license clarifies some 'fair use' issues, but is not intended to limit 'fair use' in any way. Additional rights beyond 'fair use' are also granted with this license.

COST

  • Royalties may be paid at any time up to 10 days after the close of the run, or quarterly for long runs (more than 3 months).
  • Each public performance costs $50 - payable directly to the author - without regard to seating, attendence, or professional/amature status of the performance. This fee does not apply to dress rehersals or special media events.
  • The script, in whole or in part, may be used as audition material or in an educational or instructional setting without incurring royalties.

RIGHTS

  • Scripts may be printed and photocopied in any quantity.
  • Support materials such as art or music that may be included with the script require no additional royalties or licenses.
  • Performances may be recorded and reproduced in small quantities (less than 200) for cast, crew, archival purposes, resumes, and other interested parties - such as family members. You may charge for these copies.
  • Author credit must be given in a manner reasonable to the format (e.g. programs, posters, DVD credits/inserts, etc.)
  • Changes may be made in the scripts with respect to editing, changes of setting/time, changing of gender, etc. If any changes are made - the credits must reflect what kind of changes were made, and by whom. (e.g. translated into Portuguese by Tom Smith)

Request license online

Author

mike@comedycityonline.com
Mike Eserkaln
P.O. Box 6101
De Pere WI, 54115

Show Site Info