Trouble Across the Pond
What happens when two villains in a melodrama meet? The action begins when an English Vicar returns home from doing missionary work in America. Unbeknownst to him, he has brought back a map to a thriving gold mine in California. The Vicar is followed across the pond by the villainous Bart Lovelace and his accomplices who are trying to find the map. Meanwhile, an English villain, Agamore Primrose, has been courting one of the Vicar’s lovely daughters in hopes of gaining a small but handsome inheritance should the Vicar succumb to an untimely accident. During their adventures, the two villains meet and compete in a “boo-off,” a battle of wits and dastardly deeds judged by the audience. Bart “wins” and Agamore is cast out of the village, only to be rescued later by a humble monk who tries to lead him to a life of righteousness. Ultimately, Agamore and two other local suitors overcome Bart’s machinations and rescue the kidnapped women after a hilarious slow-motion brawl!
Productions
Behind The Scenes
PLAYWRIGHT WILL JEFFERIES TALKS ABOUT
“TROUBLE ACROSS THE POND”
Q: WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS PLAY?
A: I thought it would be fun to toy with the idea of what would happen if there were two villains in a melodrama and what would happen if they met.
Q: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE PART OR LINE? WHY?
A: My favorite part is the boo-off. It was very fun getting the audience involved.
Q: WHERE DID THE CHARACTERS COME FROM?
ARE THEY BASED ON PEOPLE YOU KNOW?
A: They were simply invented, but I knew some of the cast members who were going to be in the show and I did play a bit on their physical characteristics and delivery during the minor rewrites during rehearsals.
Q: WHAT DID YOU TRY TO ACHIEVE WITH THIS PLAY?
A: I just wanted to create a fun little twist to the traditional melodrama.