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Lucille Fletcher
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Night Watch. Paperback – January 1, 1998

by Lucille Fletcher (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings
See all formats and editions
A drama for a cast of 5 men and 4 women. Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine's terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body—this time a woman's—but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved—Elaine's old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga—all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    72 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Dramatists Play Service, Inc.
  4. Publication date
    January 1, 1998
  5. Dimensions
    5.25 x 0.25 x 7.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0822208261
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0822208266
  8. See all details
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Dramatists Play Service, Inc. (January 1, 1998)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 72 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0822208261
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0822208266
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.6 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.25 x 7.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 9 ratings

About the author

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Lucille Fletcher

Lucille Fletcher

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
9 global ratings
Play description
5 Stars
Play description
From Dramatists website: "Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine's terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body--this time a woman's--but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved-- Elaine's old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga--all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax."
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Top reviews from the United States

Bronte
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best murder mystery thrillers available for stage
Reviewed in the United States on September 6, 2014
Verified Purchase
One of the best murder mystery thrillers available for stage. Well written and keeps you guessing until the very end. Very clever. Fabulous play!
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New buffi
4.0 out of 5 stars Most satisfactory
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
The script was just what I needed. It came in excellent condition. It will meet my purpose for months to come.
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Tony New / TxCowboyDancer
5.0 out of 5 stars Play description
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2009
From Dramatists website: "Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine's terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body--this time a woman's--but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved-- Elaine's old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga--all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax."
Customer image
Tony New / TxCowboyDancer
5.0 out of 5 stars Play description
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2009
From Dramatists website: "Unable to sleep, Elaine Wheeler paces the living room of her Manhattan townhouse, troubled by unsettling memories and vague fears. Her husband tries to comfort her, but when he steps away for a moment Elaine screams as she sees (or believes she sees) the body of a dead man in the window across the way. The police are called, but find nothing except an empty chair. Elaine's terror grows as shortly thereafter she sees still another body--this time a woman's--but by now the police are skeptical and pay no heed to her frantic pleas. Her husband, claiming that Elaine may be on the verge of a breakdown, calls in a lady psychiatrist, who agrees with his suggestion that Elaine should commit herself to a sanitarium for treatment. From this point on, the plot moves quickly and grippingly as those involved-- Elaine's old friend and house guest Blanche; the inquisitive and rather sinister man who lives next door; and the nosy German maid Helga--all contribute to the deepening suspense and mystery of the play as it draws towards its riveting and chilling climax."
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3 people found this helpful
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Gary F. Taylor
4.0 out of 5 stars An Expert Thriller
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2018
Lucille Fletcher (1912-2000) is best known as the author of the 1943 radio play SORRY, WRONG NUMBER—a shocker so powerful that it received no fewer than seven broadcasts with original star Agnes Moorehead and a 1948 film adaptation with Barbara Stanwyck. But Fletcher was not a one-hit wonder: she was generally regarded as one of the best writers in the golden age of radio, and in 1971 she created NIGHT WATCH, a suspense thriller that opened with actress Joan Hackett in the lead. The play was considered a minor success with 121 performances, but it became a favorite in regional, university, and community theatre. The play requires a cast of four women and five men. The set depicts the living room of a wealthy New York townhouse with a large window that overlooks a backyard and, unseen in the distance, a derelict house opposite; the window does not open, but the glass must be solid and transparent, for characters sometimes tap or beat on the glass. It is performed in two acts, each having two scenes, but there are no significant set changes.

Elaine Wheeler is a wealthy woman with a history of mental instability. She is married to John, and as the play begins they are being visited by Elaine’s friend Blanche. The house is supported by a taciturn German housekeeper, Helga, and beset by an eccentric next door neighbor, Curtis Appleby. One evening Elaine, nervous and overwrought, looks out the window—and sees the bloody dead body of a man seated in a wing chair in front of a window in the derelict house. Her husband and friend are not entirely convinced, but the police are summoned, and when they find nothing, the incident is dismissed as one of Elaine’s nerve storms. But is it?

NIGHT WATCH is constructed with singular ambivalence: every one of Elaine’s concerns has a plausible dismissal, and it becomes difficult to know if Elaine is mentally disturbed or if her observations are genuine—and if so, exactly what is going on. For most audiences, the play’s conclusion is a head-spinner; I performed the play thirty years ago, and I still remember the gasp that went up when the truth was revealed. The play has been overshadowed by the popularity of such thrillers as SLEUTH and DEATHTRAP, but I think that actually adds to its freshness, for both readers and audiences are likely to come to it without any preconceptions. Recommended.

GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Posted 7-2018
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Calico Cat
5.0 out of 5 stars Psychological thriller
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 20, 2010
Verified Purchase
Well rounded play set in New York. It takes place in the flat of an American heiress. Only one set is required with a view through to a hall. Some of the most important action takes place in a neighbouring block of flats. It is seen by the actors through a large side window but is not visible to the audience, thus leaving gruesome murders to the imagination rather than having to stage them. There is a nice twist to the end. It is possibly rather dated but still good value.
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