The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince

by Chase Wheaton-Werle

***FULL LENGTH***
A deceptively simple question: WHO INVENTED THE MOTION PICTURE CAMERA?

Nearly every history textbook will attribute this invention to Thomas Edison. But as with most of his inventions, the story is much more complicated. In fact, French inventor Louis Le Prince perfected such an apparatus years before Edison even thought of applying for a patent. But here's the twist! Le Prince intended to...

***FULL LENGTH***
A deceptively simple question: WHO INVENTED THE MOTION PICTURE CAMERA?

Nearly every history textbook will attribute this invention to Thomas Edison. But as with most of his inventions, the story is much more complicated. In fact, French inventor Louis Le Prince perfected such an apparatus years before Edison even thought of applying for a patent. But here's the twist! Le Prince intended to travel to New York to unveil his invention and solidify his place in history, until he vanished mid-transit from a moving train without a trace; leaving the way open for Edison to reveal his own oddly similar creation. Now Le Prince's widow Lizzie and his son Adolphe must pick up the trail of their missing husband and father and fight to defend his legacy against America's celebrity inventor Thomas Edison himself.

Half Victorian-era mystery, half courtroom drama, The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince explores how we struggle with unresolved tragedies and how we remember (or don't remember) the people in our history.

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The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince

Recommended by

  • Jillian Leff: The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince by Chase Wheaton-Werle
    “

    What was most impressive to me in this historical cold case/courtroom drama is how accessible Wheaton-Werle makes it. He gives enough context and facts that we understand the history and patent law of it all, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make this play work. The play also sheds a critical eye on the systems (and people) that shape how history is written, and may make you leave the theater a conspiracy theorist.

    What was most impressive to me in this historical cold case/courtroom drama is how accessible Wheaton-Werle makes it. He gives enough context and facts that we understand the history and patent law of it all, but it's the characters and their relationships that really make this play work. The play also sheds a critical eye on the systems (and people) that shape how history is written, and may make you leave the theater a conspiracy theorist.

    ”
  • Three Brothers Theatre: The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince by Chase Wheaton-Werle
    “

    An historical mystery with beautiful prose and the opportunity to create a stunning spectacle. Curious Circumstances is the perfect combination of theatricality, poignancy, and drama. Any theatre that is ready for exploring the history of American history while simultaneously building a gorgeously designed show should snap this up for a world premiere.

    An historical mystery with beautiful prose and the opportunity to create a stunning spectacle. Curious Circumstances is the perfect combination of theatricality, poignancy, and drama. Any theatre that is ready for exploring the history of American history while simultaneously building a gorgeously designed show should snap this up for a world premiere.

    ”
  • Three Brothers Theatre: The Curious Circumstances of Louis Le Prince by Chase Wheaton-Werle
    “

    Wheaton-Werle’s enticing mystery is a theatrical gem. Full of opportunities for beautiful stage-craft, this script has all the magic of cinema wrapped in a deeply human theatrical story of artistic expression, legacy, and family. Some very juicy roles for actors and a designer’s dream project.

    Wheaton-Werle’s enticing mystery is a theatrical gem. Full of opportunities for beautiful stage-craft, this script has all the magic of cinema wrapped in a deeply human theatrical story of artistic expression, legacy, and family. Some very juicy roles for actors and a designer’s dream project.

    ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

Notes for Casting:
Double/Triple casting is encouraged. Below is a suggested track breakdown for a cast of eight actors.
Track 1 - Adolphe
Track 2 - Lizzie (Montage: Wife 1, Lady, Actor 2)
Track 3 - Seward, Edison
Track 4 - Louis, Albert (Montage: Gentleman 1, Husband 2, Reporter 3, Businessman 3)
Track 5 - John, Page (Montage: Wife 2, Newsboy)
Track 6 - Longley, Higginbotham, Receptioniste, Dickson
Track 7 - Mason, Dougan, Tate (Montage: Husband 1, Reporter 2, Gentleman 2)
Track 8 - Dockhand, Wilson, Dyer, Morgan (Montage: Reporter 1, Gentleman 3, Barker, Businessman 2)
  • Adolphe Le Prince
    American. Louis’s son. Had to grow up very young. Skeptical and shrewd.
    Late 20s/early 30s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
  • Louis Le Prince
    French. Renaissance man, chemist, photographer, painter, inventor, visionary. Brilliant and guarded. Also noticeably tall.
    Late 40s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Lizzie Le Prince
    British. Louis’s widow. Indefatigable. Plagued with paranoia. Fiercely loyal to her husband.
    50s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Clarence Seward
    American. Patent Lawyer. Compassionate and rational.
    30s-50s
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Parker Page
    American. Attorney to American Mutoscope Company. Bookish and cunning
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • Ms. Higginbotham
    British. daughter of Louis’ landlady. Hospitable and gossipy.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Woman,
      Non-binary
  • Fred Mason
    British. Photographer and assistant to Louis. Jovial working man type.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • Albert Le Prince
    French. Estranged brother to Louis Le Prince. Frugal and gentle.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
    • Actor Gender Identity
      Man
  • Receptioniste
    French. Employee at the Missing Persons Bureau. Standoffish bureaucrat.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Inspector Dougan
    French. Detective for the Paris Missing Persons Bureau.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • Richard Wilson
    British. Louis’ banker and close friend. Eccentric and conspiratorial.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s,
      60s
  • Thomas Edison
    American. Charismatic, ruthless, ambitious businessman.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      40s,
      50s
  • Mr. Tate
    American. Assistant to Edison. Loyal and resourceful.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      20s,
      30s,
      40s,
      50s,
      60s,
      70s+
  • William Dickson
    Scottish-American. Edison’s head of photography. Ambitious and industrious.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s
  • Richard Dyer
    American. Edison’s legal muscle. Hard and merciless.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      30s,
      40s,
      50s
  • JP Morgan
    American. Edison’s wealthiest investor.
    Can be played by:
    • Actor Age
      50s

Production History

  • Professional, The Factory Theater, 2025

Awards

  • Best New Work Recipient
    The Joseph Jefferson Awards
    Winner
    2025