Curtain Up On Murder

“Curtain Up on Murder”, Bettine Manktelow’s play about an amateur theatre company rehearsing at the end of the pier.  Outside a storm is raging and the doors to theatre are suspiciously locked.  What better ingredients for the weird and seemingly inexplicable goings-on that unfold?

Like any theatre company, it’s intriguing cast of players assemble, and Charlemont Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS Theatre Club) is no exception, all the twists and turns of red herrings and bona fide clues are mixed up with humour and intense and complicated relationships plus the odd death thrown in for good measure.

As the Prompt/Props Mistress meets her death as she falls through a trap door added to the strange, ethereal apparition (or is it?) set the scene for Richard Mayes’ delightful ensemble production of this murder mystery. We are gently introduced to our cast of characters who soon came into their own. ‘Harry’, the seemingly rustic theatre caretaker, played by Richard Corrado, sets the scene for the unexplained goings-on with the homely ‘Sandra’, the ill-fated Prompt, played by Niamh Smith, along with her friend, ‘Ginny’, played by Emilie Tunnacliffe, demonstrate all the enthusiasm of newbie society members, attracted by the potential theatre glitz and glamour and try to infectiously instil it in the more hardened members of the company, but fail - especially after Sandra’s accident – or was it?  ‘Alex’, played by Louis Elsmore, captured the essence of the stereotypic leading man wonderfully showing contempt for his associates – but he has a secret as well as a reputation to uphold. The production’s leading lady and full-time diva, ‘Sylvia’, is not only the director’s wife but is also, in the best tradition of theatre cliches, having an affair with her leading man. For him, it is serious, for her, more a question of convenience. James Smith very convincingly playing the boringly tunnel visioned director, ‘Martin’, has no idea of his wife’s dalliance, ensuring that all his attentions are directed towards the production and nothing, not even a death, is going to divert him. By far the most odd ball of the odd balls is ‘Moppet’, an endearing character played superbly by Jamie Cross, always ready to say out loud what the others had wished to remain unexpressed. Add into the mix the slightly paranoic ‘Linda’, played to great effect by Tammy Steventon, who just happens to live with Alex and chooses this rehearsal to confront him about his behaviour!

Lots of stage ploys are used to great effect in this cleverly constructed script and were handled superbly by the cast, albeit after a slightly tentative start on their opening night, but this was short-lived as the cast soon came into their own, guiding us through the various set pieces – the play within the play, within the play! The mistaken identities, the unexpected plot twist and the subtlety of guiding the audience into thinking they have the answer and then finding their chosen assassin gets poisoned!

A deceptively simple single set allowed the action to flow freely and atmospheric lighting (by Sara Hill) and sound (by Daniel Richards) added to the evening’s enjoyment – especially the vicious and unexpected clap of thunder at the end of the first scene had the audience jumping out of their seats. There was a tremendous feeling of friendliness pervading the auditorium, the audience were there to enjoy themselves and their willingness to contribute with their deliberations of who’d done it but always at an appropriate break, not impinging upon the action.  They had a great time, as did I, thanks to everyone at CADS for being so welcoming and I look forward to my next visit.

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