A Party To Murder

‘Six people have come in secret at Halloween to play a murder mystery game at a rustic island cottage. Invited by writer Charles Prince, they appear set for a weekend of fun until ghosts from the past begin to haunt the proceedings and it becomes clear that all is not as it seems. The game takes on a sinister dimension when guests begin to die and the remaining players realize that they are playing for their lives. Tension rises. Secret passageways, incriminating letters, hidden compartments, bodies in the window seat and a twenty five year old unsolved mystery twist and turn toward the unexpected and terrifying conclusion'.

As the house lights went down we were exposed creepy and atmospheric organ music being and the curtains opened to a very dimly lit rather chilling scene. After the initial sequence where we find the characters perfomina seance we were introduced rather slowly to the real persona of the 6 characters, 3 men, 3 women who do not fully understand why they have been invited to an island for a weekend of murder and mystery. In keeping with my past experience of Portishead Players scenery, we were treated to another very good set a large room inside a cottage.

The lighting was interesting  as much of the play takes place in the evening in the dim light of table lamps, in the night in total darkness, in a storm when the power has failed so we have candle light, and next morning in daylight. It is questionable when directing a murder mystery whether you use so little light that you get the ‘terrorising’ feeling of the dark, but the audience can’t really see what’s going on or you give enough light to see whilst keeping the illusion of darkness. The director opted for the latter, although there were times when I wished for a little more light, after all a play is ‘visual’. The lighting of candles and the subsequent raised lighting levels helped considerably. There was a storm and fabulous thunderclaps which were meshed exactly with important dialogue moments enhancing the ‘scary feeling’. But I never once remember seeing a lightning flash to accompany the thunder. Sound was perfect… I could hear every word. Although I had some difficulty with the varied american accents.

I must congratulate the designer of the technique and vision of the death of Elwood and his continued reappearance whilst suspended from a hook on a revolving piece of wooden paneling with an ax in his chest! This was very well presented as was the slashing of Henry’s neck with a broken plate and the consequent bleeding…also very realistic. The costumes were totally acceptable as would have been worn by the characters and were fairly timeless. Each character was enhanced by the differing clothing. Hairstyles were most acceptable.

This is an excellent 'thriller' scary, mystifying with as many twists and turns and blind alleys as is possible. One review of a professional tour of the play said ‘Agatha Christie eat your heart out!’ and the director Sandra Branfield, did not miss a single opportunity to scare the pants off her audience. With loud bangs and knocking, hidden men in window boxes, exploding plates and dead body techniques that made you squirm.

The pace of the dialogue was good, very necessary in this style of mystery, thinks have to happen quickly and  good suspension pauses and timing are essential, but no actor over indulged themselves or upstaged another. The cast worked as a team.

I congratulate the director on the opening scene transformation from member of a game to ‘real’ characters in the play, this was directed very well and with great attention to detail, well done. Every member of the cast were talented actors and every one singly and as a team brought this excellent play to life with an energy that was exhilarating.

This was a very enjoyable evening, what a joy to have such excellent material to work with. This really is a cracking thriller and you certainly did the suspense justice … Did anyone guess and win the wine? I thought the ending so clever that no one was really identifiable as the murderer!

Well done to all concerned. Thank you as usual for your warm welcome and hospitality.

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