Hiram Collingsworth is lying in his casket in the middle of the living room. A true eccentric, he has made elaborate plans for the disposal of his wealth, and his faithful secretary is trying to carry them out. Frustrating her efforts with diabolical cleverness are his daughters, scheming Melissa and sweet but air-headed Katherine; Katherine's fickle fiance; an obnoxious niece; a lawyer, a timorous maid, a bulldozer cook, and a sneaky butler—all suspicious types; and a bumbling Inspector Clouseau-like detective from London, don't you know.

Comedy, mystery, and some shocking developments make this fast-moving, cleverly plotted play a fun as well as a nail-biting piece for all groups.

A long one-act, Hide and Seek is an uproarious spoof of the detective story. Nothing is what it seems—or is it? Dead bodies come to life. Disappearing money appears—and disappears again. Can we trust a word that anybody says? Can we believe what we actually see with our own eyes? What appears to be a cliche turns into a new twist. What we know is going to happen doesn't. Or does it?

The roles are fun to play and fun to watch. The dialogue and action move rapidly. One interior; modern clothes.

"Just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed performing Hide and Seek. Our dinner theatre was a success...how wonderful you have been to do business with."—Phyllis Baker, President, Thermopolis, Wyo. "Loved the play." —Martin Moldenhauer, Northwestern Preparatory School, Watertown, Wis.

Another Carlin play: The Auntiques and the Valentine Card

See also: Mystery, Murder, and Mayhem