A Murder Has Been Arranged

This Emlyn Williams  ghost story has several newcomers in the cast, and in this very wordy play they all performed extremely well.  The set, on the stage of St James`s Theatre, London was cleverly arranged.  The furniture and essential props were excellent and the costumes  well chosen.

The tale of this piece, which took rather a long time to unwind, centres around Sir Charles Jasper, played  confidently  by Martin Illston, who is hosting a party to celebrate his 40th birthday, at which he inherits a large fortune if he survives till 11 o`clock.    Hearby lies the plot.  Convincing as his young wife Beatrice, was Claire Wade, with her domineering mother played by Andrea White.  Sir Charles`s secretary Miss Groze, played by Sue Orme, together with Jenny Cooper, as the Dumb Woman (who does speak), and Janet Townes as the forthright Mrs Wragg were well defined.   Stuart Mourton was convincing as Jimmy North.   Maurice Mullins, who would be the fortunate recipient of the fortune, should something happen to the host, was played with great gusto by Rick Law, a great performance.

The lighting and sound effects greatly enhanced the atmosphere of mystery that pervaded.

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