Death by Design

If I hadn't read it in the programme, I never would have believed that this production of ‘Death By Design’, written by Rob Urbinati, was Catherine Minnis’s directorial debut. It was a fabulous production which directors with many more years under their belt could learn from.  Catherine had obviously poured hours of love and dedication into this production and that came flooding over the footlights and into the audience.

Set in the 1930’s, the action takes place in the country of home of playwright Edward Bennett and his actress wife, Sorel. Their plans for a relaxing weekend in the country are scuppered with the arrival of various guests. Each guest bringing their own uniqueness and craziness to the weekend’s activities. 

Pete Lamb played the conservative politician and our victim, Walter Pearce. Lamb was well cast in the production and was totally unlikeable, just as it should be. Matt Pollard, as Eric a dedicated socialist who has an unhealthy interest in the West End and Broadway star Gertrude Lawrence, provided some of the night’s laugh out loud moments. The eccentric bohemian dancer, Victoria Van Roth, was played with hilarity by Helen Shepherd. Shepherd’s characterisation was fun to watch, and her alternative dance moves raised much laughter from the audience. Well, that and the one underarm with hair. 

The youngest members of the cast, Will Tempest and Chloe Ashmore, as the Bennett’s chauffeur Jack and the bespectacled Alice respectively, held their own amongst this cast of experienced performers. Both young performers got everything out of their roles with great facial expressions and line delivery. Jez Portman as the famous playwright, Edward Bennett was just the right side of dramatic and OTT without making the character unbelievable. An audience favourite,and quite rightly was the maid, Bridgit, played to perfection by Judith Barton. You could tell that Barton was loving every single moment playing the maid turned amateur detective. The growth in character from comedic maid to the true hero of the play was a joy to watch. However, the standoutamongst this talented cast was Eleanor Dixon as actress Sorel Bennett. Never once breaking character, Dixon delivered an outstanding performance, with great delivery and diction. She truly understood who Sorel was and embodied her. 

The set, designed and built in house by Men in Sheds, suited the action and fitted the space well. If I had one small critique, it would be that I would have preferred a gun that fired as the sound effect was a little delayed on the night I attended. On the whole, it was a great play, and so nice to see a full Theatre on an opening night.

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