W.W.  Jacobs’ cautionary tale about greed and wishful thinking is given new life — and more female roles — in this gripping adaptation by theatre legend Jon Jory.  This short one-act is perfect for a night of one acts or for competition, packing a powerful punch with compelling storytelling and sweeping character arcs.

The poor Whites drudge on in their modest cottage in a remote village in 1900s England.  Content with the simple things, Henry doesn’t care for tales of superstition like the one told by his wife Eleanor’s gossipy friend.  But when Sergeant-Major Morris visits the Whites with an equally tall tale about a mummified monkey’s paw that grants wishes, Henry is intrigued — despite Major’s warnings of dire consequences.  The uncharacteristically frivolous Whites cajole the relic from the reluctant major, who begs them to destroy the paw, lest they get more than they bargained for.

At the behest of his grown daughter and wife, Henry heeds Major’s plea to at least be sensible and makes only one small wish — just enough money to pay off their simple house.  But when daughter Helen heads to work at the factory the next morning with still no sign of the money, the hopeful family accepts that it was just a lark.  The reality, however, is far worse than they could have imagined.