Curtain up on Murder

"Curtain Up on Murder" by Bettine Manktelow is a murder mystery play about an amateur theatre company rehearsing at an end-of-pier theatre during a raging storm. Directed by Laura -Jo McConnell the cast finds themselves trapped inside by the storm, a ghostly apparition appears, followed by an inexplicable death through a trapdoor. The situation escalates when another actress is poisoned, making it clear that a killer is amongst them, and the company must uncover the murderer before it's too late. 

The set is typically one might expect for a play rehearsal, fairly stark with just a few items of furniture, nevertheless realistic.  In fact, as the audience takes their seats, the caretaker Harry (Mark Cox) is sweeping the area and before the action starts takes the opportunity to engage with the audience, not only giving out the normal pre-show announcements, but to precure the odd chocolate or two!

The cast start to gather and it becomes clear that Alex (Wayne Atkinson) and Sylvia (Helen Deeming) are having an affair, which Sylvia only sees as temporary, but Alex feels is serious, wanting them both to move to West Kirby. Sandra arrives (Jo Rush) with newcomer Ginny (Immie Priscott) whilst Harry, leaving them to it, warns them all not to stay too long, as a storm is looming and they will have to let themselves out. Moppet arrives (Claire Hadland), straight talking but endearing and Alex’s wife Linda (Tracey Mann) who has been listening to his earlier conversation with Sylvia secretly from the wings, is ready to confront the pair. Meanwhile director Martin (Tim Williams) has arrived for the rehearsal and is splendidly keen to get on with it, whatever potential disruptions occur and they eventually discover that they are all locked in.

Soon events change; a ghost-like vision is seen by Moppet and Ginny through the double doors at the rear of the room and Sandra is found in the under-stage area having fallen through an open trap door, assumed dead. The storm blows and the sound effects and the tense atmosphere amongst the characters is excellent. In Act 2 Moppet takes a drink offered by Martin and chokes on it and suspecting poison is confirmed dead now lying in a chair, only subsequently to find that her place has been taken by Linda strangled with her own scarf. Ginny collapses in shock, Sylvia faints and the ghost reappears at the doorway. Martin decides he must find a way out and swim to shore to raise the alarm. With the outside door locked, who could be responsible for all the goings on and suspicions move cleverly between those remaining.

To everyone’s surprise Sandra (She who fell through the trap door) reappears and ties up Alex and Sylvia taking revenge for the way they acted out a previous play written by her husband. So, is Sandra the guilty party?

It would be difficult to single out any performances, given the contribution from all the actors, but there were some lengthy passages which Williams, Deeming and Hadland handled very well. Generally, the pace was good, but unfortunately there were some lapses in continuity. With the return of Harry, the play concluded with an unusual twist the audience including me, were not expecting! Congratulations to all involved.

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