Because of the enthusiastic response to The Auntiques and the Valentine Card, we asked John Tissot for more of the adventures of Mandy and Flo, the lovably comical spinster aunts, and their antique shop appropriately named "The Auntiques." Mandy and Flo may be played by actresses of virtually any age. The parts are good training for high school or middle school girls in developing character roles. They are, of course, delightful for mature actresses. Flo has a penchant for wild, colorful clothes, and her actions are just as wild. Never finding romance in her younger years, she makes up for it by living every moment with all the zest she can muster. Mandy is more serious and tries hard to keep her sister out of trouble. But Mandy has her own eccentricities: she hears her flowers talking to her. The audience doesn't hear them, but Mandy says they predict the future. The plot of each play proves their predictions true!

The Auntiques and the Gunman (3 women, 2 men; about 15-20 minutes; royalty $20/$15): A young man with a gun enters the shop. He wishes he hadn't after the Aunts get through with him. The Auntiques and the Baby (3 women, 2 men, 1 of either sex; about 30 minutes; royalty $30/$20): A young mother abandons her newborn baby in the shop. Mandy wants to call the police, but Flo, who has always wanted children, says they should keep him. The Auntiques and the Mystery Man (4 women, 4 men; about 45 minutes; royalty $35/$25) : Flo, in delivering an expensive diamond ring to a customer, flashes it in the face of a well-dressed man. He flirts with Flo; she is thrilled and a romance quickly develops. Mandy thinks he is a con man after their money. What to do!

The three plays are one-act length. All three together make a thoroughly enjoyable full evening's entertainment. Each alone makes a good contest play or an entertaining half hour or so of fun for any occasion. The set is a shop interior; present time; modern costumes. Most roles may be any age.

The author, John Tissot, has had many novels, short stories, and non-fiction articles published. His "Auntiques" plays are damatizations of his short stories.

Another Tissot play: Aesop's Clinic

See also: Collections of Skits and Playlets, Plays for Senior Theatre