Mark of Cain Main Page

PETER COLLEY Playwright-Screenwriter

The Mark Of Cain
Also Known As:
(The Murderer In The Mirror)

2 Males, 3 Females, 1 Set

TO SEE INFORMATION ABOUT THE FILM VERSION CLICK HERE

THE STORY: Identical twins Sean and Michael O'Neill were raised in a remote wilderness cottage on a lake in northern Ontario, Canada. Several years ago Michael committed a murder in the cottage and was sent to a mental institution. His brother Sean has recently married Dale, and they have returned to the cottage to fix it up to sell it, against Michael's wishes. As a thick fog sets in over the lake, they hear that Michael has escaped and is heading for the cottage. Can the police stop him, or has he already arrived and taken his brother's place? Or is Sean susceptible to the same madness that afflicted his twin? Dale has to wrestle with the dilemma that affects all people who get involved with identical twins, but this time the consequences are life and death.

The Murderer In The Mirror (The Mark Of Cain) is a suspenseful thriller, laced with humour, about the dark side of being an identical twin (note, it does NOT require real twins). It is written from the heart, because the author is a twin himself. It premiered at The* Muskoka Festival and has had many successful professional theatre productions across Canada and in the U.S., including The Lighthouse Festival, Theatre St. Bruno (Quebec), Capitol Theatre (British Columbia), Powerhouse Theatre (British Columbia), Centrestage Theatre (Nova Scotia), Domino Theatre Kingston, Elgin Theatre (Ontario), Group Theatre (Ontario), Ottawa Theatre, Theatre Windsor, Lakeshore Theatre (Quebec). The play had its U.S. premiere at the S.T.A.G.E. Theatre in San Antonio, Texas. The play has been made into a motion picture starring Wendy Crewson (star of The Santa Clause/Air Force One).
"*SPINE-TINGLING" “An evening of suspense... witty, powerful and imaginative... a genuine psychological thriller... a spine- tingling ending!” The Maple Leaf* "*THRILLING AND CHILLING THEATRE" “A first rate evening of thrilling and chilling theatre at its best. Full of mystery and suspense... I thoroughly enjoyed the show!” Kingston Week* "*SUSPENSE AND DRAMA" “High marks for "Cain"... suspenseful and imaginative... a startling climax. For heaven's sake leave the lights on when you get home... Suspense and drama that brings the audience back time after time.” Muskoka Life* "MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE" “Roars of laughter and gasps of apprehension... a tale of mystery and suspense... keeps the audience guessing right up to the end.” Lifestyles Magazine
"*SPINE-CHILLING" “A spine-chilling yarn... Mr. Colley is skillful in the way he weaves characterization and humour into the tapestry of suspense... superb... ! The Expositor* "A NIGHTMARE OF SUSPENSE" “The pace of a Hitchcock thriller, chilling special effects, and humour, are woven into a tapestry of terror... a tale of murder, madness and suspense. If you enjoy a good scare, don’t miss this latest hit. An evening of superb fun.” *The Muskoka Sun* “THE BEST PLAY OF THE SEASON” "A suspenseful and imaginatively written work, building to a startling climax." *Daily Post*
“A REAL THRILLER” “The script skillfully builds a feeling of anticipation... and featured some great performances. The dual lead role was a brooding, troubled character who captured well the feeling of foreboding. The loopy, trigger-happy Otto was delightful and genuinely funny. *The Muskoka Times* “DON’T MISS IT!” “Secrets are revealed, past memories flood back as new more lethal clues keep you guessing up to the spine-chilling climax.” *The Bracebridge Examiner* “THEATRE SHOULD BE PROUD” “A classic tale of good against evil. (The play) challenges both the actors and the audience... innovative and exciting.” The Muskoka Sun
"MURDERER IN THE MIRROR BOTH EERIE AND FUN" "A very entertaining play with a spooky feel... lots of fun and may even make you jump. Accolades all around." San Antonio Herald-Zeitung "TWISTS AND TWINS ENTERTAIN AS THIS MIRROR SHINES" "Since the time of Romulus and Remus identical twins have captured the imagination of writers. This play is a vicious cat-and-mouse game that leaves the audience watching for clues and guessing about switched identities. " *San Antonio Express-News* "TAKE A GOOD LONG LOOK IN THE MIRROR" "The play looks at the strange and compelling relationship between twins... it expertly tells the thrilling story of the O'Neill boys... a terrifying series of events... both impressive and compelling... an evening of entertaining thrills. " *Queen's Journal*

Click on review for larger version

Poster for French translation

For information on the movie version click here

For a free perusal download copy of the play click here

Script Available From:
The Playwrights Guild of Canada
401 Richmond St. W Suite #350 Toronto, Ontario Canada, M5V 3A8
Tel: (416) 703-0201 Fax: 416) 703-0059
WEB SITE: www.playwrightsguild.ca E-MAIL: mailto:info@playwrightsguild.ca

The Playwrights Guild also handles the amateur rights of this play in Canada. For all other rights please contact the author at:

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THEATRE COMPANIES: For free perusal copies of Peter's plays email the above address. Please include company name

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