The Root of all Evil
By: His acid tongued wickedness was rewarded
Contributors: The Root of all Evil
Publisher: Book Guild Publishers Ltd
Published: 2004
Place of publication: Brighton
Language: eng
Number of pages: 240
Subjects: Family Drama
First sentence: First dialogue appears as 'Can you find her pulse?'
Description: Frederick Devereux is the ruthless autocrat controlling the huge Devereux business empire. There is nothing he would not do to save the family's hard-won social reputation. His perpetual cruelty knows no bounds and family members are certainly no exception.

His eldest son, Thomas, is a dissolute alcoholic who still, after twenty-six years, is grieving for his mother. His youngest son, Benjamin, has dared to fall in love with a girl who frederick considers beneath their social class. His daughter Penelope and sister Sophie have had their own precious loves trampled on by the force of Frederick's hatred life. Numerous other characters also feel the damaging sting of Frederick's offensive tongue. So, naturally, any one of these people would have the desire to see him dead. But who, if anyone, will have the courage to silence Frederick Devereux?

 

The Root Of All Evil is an invigorating and distinct play about the evil that flows from one man's corrupted soul and the stranglehold he maintains on everyone around him. Its vast social range includes a number of colourful characters and gives rise to moments of great comedy alongside the sad stories about those lives that Frederick has contrived to ruin.
Notes: This play is a feast for the senses.  It is an ideal play for any budding drama student.  It is an English country house drama with a very diverse array of characters embodied within a  murder mystery.
Table of contents: title: There are twenty five scenes.