The Victorian Ladies' Detective Collective by Patricia Milton

Nominated: SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Best Production, East Bay and SF Bay Area, 2019 Excellence in Theater Awards. Best of Maine BroadwayWorld Critics Choice 2022.
A "cheeky thriller" that centers women detectives and victims instead of the killer. In 1893, a serial killer not unlike Jack the Ripper terrorizes actresses in the Battersea district of London. As the police have been...
Nominated: SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, Best Production, East Bay and SF Bay Area, 2019 Excellence in Theater Awards. Best of Maine BroadwayWorld Critics Choice 2022.
A "cheeky thriller" that centers women detectives and victims instead of the killer. In 1893, a serial killer not unlike Jack the Ripper terrorizes actresses in the Battersea district of London. As the police have been unable to stop the Battersea Butcher, three women who live in Mrs. Hunter's Lodging House for Ladies take up the task. But without modern forensics, access to crime scenes, or cooperation from the authorities, how can they succeed? The answer lies in believing women.
A Theatre Bay Area Recommended Production and an SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle "Go See!" Production

"A bone-chilling and unexpectedly hilarious thriller." ~Lou Fancher, East Bay Express


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The Victorian Ladies' Detective Collective

Recommended by

  • Kate Danley:
    12 Dec. 2021
    “ A tense psychological thriller filled with sparkling dialog and fantastic roles for women. It delves into the darker side of humanity as these women seek to take down a Jack the Ripper-like killer, but does so in a way that explores the injustices and abuses that women endure. It is never heavy handed, but also doesn't shy away. I was also impressed with the historic details of this play, down to the inclusion of jujitsu that many women of the era learned in order to protect themselves. This play is one-of-a-kind! ”
  • Cheryl Bear:
    28 Sep. 2021
    “ A riveting thriller that teaches the importance in believing women if the killer is to be stopped. Well done. ”
  • Doug DeVita:
    8 Jul. 2020
    “ This is a wonderfully ripping work! A "me too" play disguising itself as a paean to Victorian thrillers, the parallels to the modern era are made strongly, but lightly, and never become preachy. Milton's delicious use of language, her astutely convoluted plotting, her engagingly prickly characters, and her sly sense of humor keep this highly theatrical piece racing at a pulse-quickening pace. I loved every word, and would just LOVE to see this staged! It's a thrilling comic thriller! ”
View all 5 recommendations

Character Information

One male actor plays three men (the suspects and the Constable)

  • Loveday Fortescue
    40's-50's,
    White
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    A former actress and governess. A proto-feminist, who is intellectual, philosophical, and dramatic. Once, literally gaslighted, which nearly finished her. Victorian era expectations of women infuriate and preoccupy her. Always wears elbow-length gloves.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Katherine Smalls
    30's,
    Black or Bi-Racial
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    A mixed-race American ex-patriot and entertainer at The St. James Theatre. Born in Virginia, later moved to become an actress in New York. Badass, determined, matter-of-fact. Skilled in all manner of self-defense, including fan fighting.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Black, African, Caribbean, or African American
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Valeria Hunter
    50's - 60's,
    White
    ,
    Cisgender Female
    A widow, cat lady and Loveday's sister, who owns and operates the Hunter Lodging House. Would be locked in an attic as "mad," were she married. Less concerned about the plight of women than her own vanishing fortune. Anxious, eager to obtain the latest formula of opium tinctures. Suspicious of the police.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Toddy
    any age,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Male
    Plays Warham-Wynn and Constable Crane, too
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Jasbry Warham-Wynn
    40s - 50's,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Male
    Also plays Toddy and Constable Crane. Age should be believable given his past interaction with Loveday.
    Pronounced Jazz-bree
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • Constable Henry Crane
    40s 50's,
    Any (but probably white)
    ,
    Male
    Must also play Toddy and Warham-Wynn
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    Shaker Bridge Theater
    ,
    2023
  • Professional
    ,
    The Public Theater
    ,
    2022
  • Professional
    ,
    House of International Theatre
    ,
    2021

Awards

Selection
,
Critic's Choice Best of Maine 2022
,
BroadwayWorld
,
2022
Winner
,
Best Production, East Bay, houses under 100 seats
,
SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle
,
2019
Finalist
,
Best Production, entire San Francisco Bay Area, houses under 100 seats
,
SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle
,
2019
Recommended Production
,
Theatre Bay Area
,
2019
"Go See!" Production
,
SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle
,
2019