Author
Ian Buckley

Synopsis
A death has occurred 19 years before the play opens. A young wife has 'fallen' down the stairs, fracturing her skull, and died of her injuries some days later. At the the subsequent inquest a verdict of 'accidental death' was agreed - she had slipped and fallen during a row with her husband. The row was about the husband's affair with a woman at work.

Fact: husband and wife had furious row - the fall down stairs was an accident, but after a physical struggle. Husband feels guilty but scared to admit to truth of row - accidental death verdict mainly correct.

Husband was free to marry his lover - they live together as man and wife for 19 years. The man's lover, now his wife, always believes her husband had killed his previous wife - he had told her he killed wife so he would be free for her and so she would feel indebted to him - she keeps the 'false secret' for 19 years, until her relationship with husband begins to collapse.

Husband tells 2nd wife he is going to leave her - the reason for his departure is he can no longer bear the burden of guilt. His wife however believes (mistakenly) he's found another woman. She goes to police and tells them her husband is a murderer - agrees to set him up with a hidden tape-recorder - records him admitting to killing his first wife (a lie - it wasn't deliberate).

Husband found guilty of manslaughter - 6 years in jail - it's a miscarriage of justice but one he half-welcomes. View extract.

Cast
2 male, 2 female

Duration
90 mins

Contact
132 Gammons Lane
Watford
Herts
WD2 5HY
UK