About the Play:

The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca has long been a favourite of acting teachers for Male Monologues.

The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca is a full-length drama by Alden Nowlan and Walter Learning. Sherlock Holmes faces his arch rival, Dr James Moriarty, in this murder mystery. The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca involves Holmes working on the case of the sudden death of a prominent cardinal, with the fate of Europe at stake.

The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca stars the famous detective Sherlock Holmes, his trusted friend Dr. Watson and arch nemesis Dr. James Moriarty. The sudden death of a prominent Cardinal at the hands of an unlikely murderer brings the Great Detective into this intriguing, shocking and dangerous case. With nothing short of the fate of Europe hanging in the balance, Sherlock Holmes must once again face his ultimate foe, Professor James Moriarty, as he attempts to unravel this shocking mystery. Will Sherlock prevail? Any fan of Sherlock Holmes, in print, on TV, or in the movies, will surely love the high stakes intrigue of this masterful Canadian mystery.

The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca was first performed in 1978 by Theatre New Brunswick at The Playhouse in Fredericton, followed by tours of Atlantic Canada and Ontario. The U.S. premiere was in 1980 at the famed Actors Theatre of Louisville, an influential showplace for playwrights. The play has become a favourite scene study vehicle in acting classes and workshops and has been successfully staged by high schools, colleges, and community theatres.

Cast: 3 female, 14 male

What people say:

"The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca, by Alden Nowlan and Walter Learning, is right up there with the best. It successfully imitates the conversational mannerisms that were a Doyle trademark ... they have woven a tale in which Holmes once again matches his wits with Professor Moriarty, resurrected from his supposed death at the Reichenbach Falls. And what a tangled tale it is. It involves a damsel in distress, one murder, innumerable killings of a less mysterious nature, diabolical South American poisons, satanic ceremonies, a plot to overthrow the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a stolen Mona Lisa, and, of course, Cardinal Tosca, head of the Vatican Secret Service." — The Courier-Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)

"If you want a murder solved in a creative and unusual way, there is no better person for the case than Sherlock Holmes... What ensues is a case that entails more murder, characters that have dual identities, shocking scenes ... as the case unravels and the truth is exposed." — Scarborough Mirror

About the Playwright:

Alden Nowlan (1933-1983) was a Canadian poet, novelist, and playwright. Born in Nova Scotia, he became the writer-in-residence at the University of New Brunswick in 1969 and held that position until his death. His poetry collection Bread, Wine and Salt won the Governor's General Award for Poetry in 1967. He collaborated with theatre director Walter Learning on a number of plays, including Frankenstein and The Incredible Murder of Cardinal Tosca.

Walter John Learning is a Canadian theatre director, actor, playwright, and founder of Theatre New Brunswick. An administrative mainstay of regional theatres since 1968, he continues to practise his theatrical craft internationally.