A Fete Worse than Death

It is always a pleasure to visit Ombersley Dramatic Society at the Memorial Hall. Everyone in the audience is made to feel welcome by the societies front of house team. In addition to the warm welcome is the complementary tea or coffee and biscuits during the interval.

A Fete Worse than Death by Richard James is set inside the produce tent during the Thornton village fete. We get to know of the twist and turns involving six of the villagers. Set to open the fete (intent on adding to his fee by signing autographs) is an actor who plays the part of a detective in a television series. When a murder takes place who better to solve the crime! 

The stage at Ombersley Memorial Hall is small and has limitations not least the lack of exit stage left. The set was simple but very effective and the cast did well to use the space to their best advantage.

Each of the actors played their part well and they had clearly considered their part and their character. This left us guessing who the murderer could be right until the very end when all was revelled. When each actor played an equally important part in the play it is difficult to single out individuals as all were equally necessary to make the drama a success. However, Liz Whitehouse as Miss Parmenter (spinster of the parish) shone. The character who was unable to distinguish between reality and fiction when assisting the screen detective played by Hugh Raymer was brilliant. Her mannerisms were effective and where did she get that hat? Others included Christopher Marsh as Malcolm (the chairman of the fete committee) who gave sufficient grounds for everyone to murder him.

Central to the plot were two marrows. Congratulations must be extended to the maker of the papier-mâché vegetables. One of these needed to be destroyed each evening by Marsh in jealously of his rival’s vegetable grown by Father Mike the local vicar played by Mike Turner.          

The production was not without its faults on the evening we attended. Primarily several prompts and it was also evident the cast lost their way a few times and needed others in the cast to add lib to get back to script. Despite this the audience were appreciative of the work the company had put into this very funny piece of work.     

Productions by Ombersley Dramatic Society are always well attended and rightfully so. The enthusiasm is second to none and the friendliness amongst the society members and to their patrons never falters. The whole audience laughed where they should and had an enjoyable evenings entertainment.

Thank you for inviting me and I look forward to seeing you again. 

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