At the Sign of the Crippled Harlequin

This murder  mystery by Norman Robbins moves very quickly with witty throw- away lines, and  red herrings in all directions.  It is set in a small guest-house in Derbyshire  a few days before Christmas, and congratulations must go to the design and building team for the realistic set.    Very impressive performances by the whole cast deserve great merit.  Paul Makinson, playing the brash Yorkshire business man Lionel Reece raised many laughs with a robust performance.  His wife Joan,  the rich guest who let everyone know it,  was played superbly by Wendy Beric.  Janet Townes as Pamela Seton was outstanding with a performance that was warming as well as disquieting.  Mark Pardner, as Bryan Lockwood and Claire Schofield as his wife Sally, complimented each other perfectly as the hotel owners struggling to keep the business above water.  I  liked  Martin Illston`s  portrayal of Derek Tyndale, the dull witted guest with an odd background.     Marjorie Howarth set the scene with a Miss Marple like performance as Marjory Pike,   who suffered through being the victim of mistaken identity.  Completing the classy cast was Niamh Reilly as Isobel Clarke.

Well directed by Linda Cheshire, with competent backup from the sound and lighting departments.

 A hugely entertaining “Who Dun It”, maintaining the very high standards we have come to expect from the Marlowes.

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