The Man in the Locket: Truths and Lies at the Bergstrom Circus & Menagerie by Kris Thompson

It's summertime, early 1900s and, off the east coast, the young daughter of a wealthy tycoon escapes her conniving guardians and prospective husband in search of the past and the father she can no longer remember. She has only one found clue: a locket with two photos. But her guardians are in league with the villainous would-be-groom and the three have dark purpose. Drawn to the Bergstrom Circus, she...
It's summertime, early 1900s and, off the east coast, the young daughter of a wealthy tycoon escapes her conniving guardians and prospective husband in search of the past and the father she can no longer remember. She has only one found clue: a locket with two photos. But her guardians are in league with the villainous would-be-groom and the three have dark purpose. Drawn to the Bergstrom Circus, she begins her quest, joins the circus and finds love. But will she find her father? Will she escape her villainous fiancé? Will true love prevail?
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The Man in the Locket: Truths and Lies at the Bergstrom Circus & Menagerie

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Character Information

Both Stephen Blessing and Brunhilda have short roles near the end of the play. Recommend they double as extra circus characters as the director sees fit.

  • STEPHAN BLESSING
    51,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Tycoon, devoted father to Maggie. Friend and partner to Charles.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • SIR MALCOLM TENT
    40-50,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Villain intent on acquiring the Blessing fortune. Former business associate of Stephan Blessing.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • MYRA SINCLAIR
    50-60, Array,
    Female
    Archibald’s wife. In cahoots w/Malcolm. Smart. Scottish.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • MAGGIE BLESSING
    18,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Heroine daughter of Stephan Blessing. Does not know who she is or who her father is.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • LYDIA VOLDANO
    20-30,
    Eastern European
    ,
    Female
    Sham Gypsy Fortune Teller who wants Flick only because she believes he’s to inherit circus. Fake gypsy lilt.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any actor of color
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • FLICK
    20-30,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Hero. Charles’ right hand. Smart, confident, handsome. Carries a bat. Occasionally poses as female character Olga Gregario.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Teens, 20s, 30s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • FESTER MEEKS
    20-40,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Happy clown, Chester’s younger, taller brother. Unable to speak and Pantomimes most of play.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • CHESTER MEEKS
    20-40,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Sad clown, older brother of Fester. Shorter than Fester.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • CHARLES BERGSTROM
    40-50,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Ringmaster. Gruff, kind. Friend to Stephan.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • CATALINA DALCA
    30s, Array,
    Female
    Russian-Romanian Bareback Rider teacher. Bad English. Russian lilt and occasional simple-to-learn Russian phrases.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • BRUNHILDA
    20-40,
    Any
    ,
    Female
    Bearded Woman in love with Apollo.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • ARCHIBALD SINCLAIR
    50-60, Array,
    Male
    Myra’s husband. Slow. In cahoots w/Malcolm. Scottish.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      30s, 40s, 50s, 60s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      White
    • Gender: 
      Male
  • APOLLO
    20-60,
    Any
    ,
    Male
    Strongman who’s lost his love, confidence, and strength after his love, Brunhilda, left him for a Pennsylvania barber.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      20s, 30s, 40s, 50s
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Production History

  • Community Theater
    ,
    Way Off Broadway Community Players
    ,
    2022
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Mckinney Repertory Theatre
    ,
    2019
  • Community Theater
    ,
    Theatre Suburbia
    ,
    2017

Awards

Winner
,
National Playwriting Contest
,
Theatre Suburbia
,
2017