Accomplice

by Rupert Holmes

Opened on Broadway in April 1990 starring Jason Alexander, Pamela Brüll, Michael McKean, Natalia Nogulich. Winner of the 1991 Edgar Award for best play from the Mystery Writers of America.

Genres: Plays, Theatre, Thriller, Mystery

124 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1991

About the author

Rupert Holmes was born on February 24, 1947, in Northwich, Cheshire, England. Soon after, he ventured forth to America (New York) with his British mum and Air Force dad. After graduating from the Manhattan School of Music, Mr. Holmes delved into the art of melodious sound. A successful piano player for both the Cuff Links and the Buoys, with whom he had his first international hit, "Timothy," in 1971, Rupert also wrote and arranged songs for Gene Pitney, The Platters, The Drifters and the Partridge Family.

With the new millennium, Holmes added novel writing to his repertoire. His critically-acclaimed mystery, Where the Truth Lies, was a Booklist Top Ten Debut Novel; his second, Swing, was a San Francisco Chronicle Top Ten Best Seller, called “imaginative, smart, sophisticated and impressively elaborate” by Janet Maslin of the New York Times. His short stories have been anthologized in such prestigious collections as Best American Mystery Stories, On a Raven’s Wing, A Merry Band of Murderers and Christmas at the Mysterious Bookshop. He was also commissioned by The New York Times to write the Arts and Leisure tribute celebrating the one hundredth birthday of Irving Berlin.

Reviews

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This comedy-thriller received the 1991 Edgar Award for best play from the Mystery Writers of America. It opened on Broadway in April 1990 starring Michael McKean, Jason Alexander, Natalia Nogulich, and Pamela Brüll.

It must have been great fun to see this on the stage. After enjoying Holmes' recent novel, Murder Your Employer, I had to seek out his other works and managed to find a used copy online of this play. Lots of twists and turns with humor and a very unexpected ending.

[David]

Rubbing my temples, grimacing a bit. Going, “Sure yeah I’m glad you’re all having fun but some of us have jobs to go to in the morning.”

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Producing this must be a nightmare.

[Juliette II · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was super fun, then a bit confusing, then mostly fun again. A set-builder’s wet dream. Fun challenge for all cast members as they have to play multiple personas. This show is all about the reveals and I’m a fan of how immersive that process has to be (including a “false” cast list). Would direct or play in this.

[Susannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written by Rupert Holmes, of Escape (The Pina Colada Song) fame, Accomplice is a very difficult play to describe. It is very meta, and without giving anything away, is a sort of story within a story within a story. I have not seen it performed, but from reading it it also presents some technical challenges to stage.

Comprisinbg of a cast of only four, two men and two women, there are some juicy, and witty, lines for the cast to say. I do wish the character of Melinda had more to do, however, her lack of having much for her character to do is also part of the joke within the play.

So Accomplice is a very witty play, almost too clever, and one for which you will never guess the ending. And, the Accomplice of the title is not who you think...

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this play several times, because on October 7, we presented this play as a staged reading at the Acting Ensemble. The play is both complicated and hilarious, and it was a privilege to be able to present this in front of an audience. If you ever have a chance to see this in the theatre, I highly recommend it.

[Wade Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

So twisted. So confusing. SO GOOD!

[Robert Barnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice! Like a murder mystery Noises Off!

[Andy Collopy · Rating 3 out of 5]

★★★½

[Alif · Rating 3 out of 5]

the twist was great!! 👏🏼

[arden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could've been gayer. But also, what I wouldn't give to have seen this performed by jason alexander.