An Inspector Falls - a Murder Mystery evening

Several ‘firsts’ happened with Bunbury Players murder mystery evening An Inspector Falls. Author Gareth Humphreys made his playwriting debut, Gareth’s wife Karen made her directorial debut and I attended my first murder mystery evening. As always, I received a warm welcome from Director Karen, Will and Matt on arrival.  On being shown to my seat I was encouraged to read the backstory of the characters in the programme as I was assured I “would find lots of clues”. 

When I received the invitation I was told that the author would be interested in my comments on the script.  Well actually the script was pretty good.  It flowed well and there was some nice tongue in cheek comedy lines for the hapless DCI Bouchard formerly of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police now (somewhat improbably) a senior detective in Scotland Yard. With the help of a far more quick witted WPC they arrive at the home of the wealthy Braddock family to ask questions about the murder of their maid servant Anna.  However, although there were obviously plenty there, the clues in the programme backstory and the clues given during the questioning of the Braddock family both by DCI Bouchard and the audience, our little grey cells didn’t spot them as, at the interval, neither Chris nor myself had any idea. After the interval which included a very nice supper - thank you Bunburys - we had the big reveal. Of course in true Agatha Christie style we had all the suspects in one room before we had a nice twist in the tale and the murderer was revealed. We did actually guess the name of the murderer but that was a fluke. Well done Gareth Humphreys a good first outing for your first foray into playwriting.

The staging looked good.  Lighting was adequate given the restriction of the venue.  Sound from the radio with the news broadcast and music was suitable.  Having music running for a long time at the beginning  did distract even if it was down low. It is always best to gradually fade out sound effects rather than leave it running.  Great furniture and props including a fireplace with a fire for Azalea to destroy evidence. I think it would have been better to bring some of the seating into the room more, maybe curved round the splendid carpet slightly.  Also a couple of directorial points; your detective could have moved across closer to the screen to draw our attention to the clever flashback film of Anna’s murder.  I almost missed it myself as I am sure several others did.  Your detective would not have sat in a relaxed way.  Maybe on a high backed chair if necessary but he commands the scene so focus needs to stay on the person if possible.  Overall for a first outing as a director Karen Humphreys did full justice to the script.

I have worked with and directed new writing and whilst it is a super opportunity it is a somewhat double edged sword. 1. You have a responsibility to do the script justice and to bring the words from page to stage. 2. The actors have the opportunity to create a character for the very first time giving life to the author’s vision of them.  I think this cast did a good job of doing that.  The female cast members maybe had an easier job than the males.  The time period for the play is 1936 so costume plays a large part of helping with characterisation as does body language and demeanour all of which is important in creating believable characters.  

On to costumes. The ladies’ costumes were very good and stylish. The maid and WPC spot on.  Suits for the DCI and Mr Braddock were fine although the latter’s fitted better than the formers. James Braddock’s jacket and trousers looked rather modern though. Attention should always be paid to footwear although I am sure everyone appreciates finding shoes, particularly period shoes, to fit specific actors is difficult.

The female suspects all did a fine job of characterisation. Tracey Shaughnessy as the haughty Mrs Victoria Braddock looked splendid and had a certain regality.  Danielle Swanson as daughter Eleanor, politically aware, intelligent and a potential feminist, again stylish. Csenge Hunor as the shallow Azalea Astor was very glamorous with lots of sparkly jewellery. Sophie Gatling as maid Sarah Brown was nicely subservient always giving a little bob of respect to her employers.  Kiran Parsons an overtly grey Albert Braddock very much a wealthy man could maybe had dropped his ‘posh’ accent even more during the big reveal but a good job.  Dylan Watkins came over well as the philandering James Braddock.  Well done to Jo Ward (DCI Bouchard) and sidekick Jayne-Marie Hopper (WPC Penelope Entwistle) the almost double act who drew everything together to its satisfactory conclusion.  Tip of a hat too in the direction of BBC Newsreader Carrie Parsons who was heard but not seen and Daisy Slettevold as murder victim Anna Hutchinson seen but not heard.

Thank you Karen and Gareth Humphreys and the Bunbury Players for a most enjoyable evening and for such splendid hospitality.

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