Curtain Up On Murder

Everyone loves a good murder mystery and Bettine Manktelow’s  “Curtain Up on Murder” and Codsall Dramatic Society’s production does not fail to deliver. Directors, Kelsey Dornan and Nigel Shenton, have brought together well conceived characters and superbly handled cliches and set pieces and the inevitable yet unexpected twist to give us an extremely enjoyable evening’s entertainment.

The scene is set in an end of the pier theatre where the company are rehearsing “Dead on Time” (what else?) the gathering storm gives a splendid backdrop as the story reveals its cast of victims and suspects as well as the odd apparition.  Firstly there’s old Harry, the reliable old retainer, played with relish by Patrick Bentley, who can set his hand to anything and always with a wise word of homespun advice which he generously bestows on Sandra, delicately played by Sam Kick, who introduces us to the latest new member to join their ranks, Ginny, played excitedly by Kira Squire, to the backstage anticipation that surrounds a pending production. What she hadn’t counted on was the open trap door backstage where she meets her sticky end - was it an unfortunate accident or something else more sinister?

The rest of the disparate team all soon reveal their true colours – Alex,  our leading man, suavely played by Andy Cholerton is in love with the Director’s wife and leading lady, Sylvia, played with great delight by Jackie Sherlock , but as with all the best mysteries – the relationship is not all that it seems – the love is all on Alex’s side whereas for Sylvia, it is more of a means to an end and in true diva fashion, it doesn’t matter who or what gets damaged in the process.  Her husband, Martin, and the play’s director seems oblivious to all that is going on around him, John Bingham achieves this with deft effect ensuring that nothing, not even death, is going to get in the way of his next theatrical success. Also part of this ragbag of theatre oddities is Moppet, played to great effect by Fiona Bingham, who has the uncanny ability to say out loud what everyone else is thinking but would probably have been best remaining unsaid. No one is left getting away with anything and that is particularly true for poor old Alex, when just at the wrong moment, his partner Linda, arrives to confront him about his nefarious affairs and dalliances just when the bodies start mounting up.  Vicky Dagnan revels in the role, dishing out her anger and frustration to her erstwhile, yet part time lover.

The various red herrings and false leads were executed superbly by this talented cast under the guidance of an accomplished production team. Subtle lighting and effects from Brigid O’Connor and Paul Davies added to the atmosphere and gave the audience the customary shock when the final unexpected outcome was revealed, proving all us amateur sleuths totally wrong.

My thanks to everyone at Codsall Dramatic Society for their warm welcome and hospitality and I wish them all the best for their next production “Aladdin” in November.

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