?Ebbtide,? an original play of ?manners, morals and murder? written by Arthur Rankin and Tim Hodgson, will be performed at City Hall Theatre from June 30 through July 7 (except July 4) with all proceeds benefitting local charities.

The play?s plot is about Richard Craven, a Bermudian of the landed gentry, who recently lost his first wife in an offshore sailing accident.

He brings his new bride, Lydia, to his ancestral home, ?Ebbtide? ? a household which already includes the houseman, Chappy, and his daughter Cattleya.

Lydia, a wealthy widow, is escaping from America, where a drugged intruder allegedly murdered her late husband, although the police suspect she committed the crime.

?Ebbtide? is badly in need of extensive repairs, and it becomes obvious that Richard is broke and has married Lydia to alter the status quo.

Meanwhile, Inspector Fox of the Bermuda Police suspects Richard is responsible for his wife?s death, and an old vendetta has him dogging the case.

In 1932 Fox is the first black Police inspector, and confrontations between himself and Richard are volatile.

What about Lydia when she discovers that young Cattleya has been Richard?s unwilling mistress since she was brought to ?Ebbtide? by her father as a girl?

Twists and turns close every scene as the characters and the plot reveal shocking surprises and build suspense right up to the final curtain.

Mr. Rankin, a Hollywood producer, is also directing the play, whose cast includes Will Kempe, Julia Bolton, Danjou Anderson, Arthur Wade and Tracey Lynn Harney. He has been involved in several Bermuda plays and productions, including ?Crystal Clear? in 2001.

Tickets (opening night with champagne reception $100, all other nights $35) are now available on line at www.ebbtidebenefit.com The box office will be open at the Visitors Service Bureau from June 21-July 7 (except July 4) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tickets are also being sold at the Masterworks Foundation?s headquarters in the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, June 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Charities benefitting from the proceeds of ?Ebbtide? are: the Bermuda Police Benevolent Fund, the Bermuda Masterworks Foundation, and the Bermuda Diabetes Association. The latter two were also beneficiaries of ?Crystal Clear?.