Death by Drowning

Another of Elisabeth’s inhouse clever scripts set around an ecclesiastical well depicted backdrop where Ivy Greenleafe, flower lady of the parish is busying herself arranging several vases at a trestle table whilst singing yet again her favourite hymn ‘All Things Bright and Beautiful’ much to the annoyance of others. By all accounts,  an unpleasant, bossy woman. A meeting of introduction is held by the newly appointed lady Vicar, the Rev St John Preacher  – already known but by a different name to a surprised Ivy and who seems to know about her secrets. We have some disgruntled members of the team each having some reason to dislike Ivy. Ivy’s body is found with her head submerged in a bucket. Inspector Graves suspects foul play as she sustained a head wound as if struck by a heavy object.

The suspects are duly questioned all giving acceptable timelines and alibies to set us the audience thinking - organist Justine Thyme annoyed by Ivy’s constant interruption whilst she rehearsing was played by Margaret Punter, Jac Young portrayed Rose Pruning, gardener angry she’s using her Mother’s prize roses, Jenny Taylor the hard working parish constantly criticised secretary Pen Silitin with Imogen Vernon Gill played the young ex drug dealer Flora Mopp and as the name suggests reluctant cleaner. After much questioning via Detective Inspector Graves and the audience and a great comedic interlude of bellringing from the four M’s, Margaret Atfield, Maureen Payne, Margaret Osgood and Malcolm Atfield led from lectern by organist Justine we filled in our questionnaires  naming the culprit, clues and reasons why!  Hmmm…. Well, our table did correctly guess the murderer, but our clues and reasons were sketchy, although I did suspect a bell might be the cause of a head wound but one wasn’t missing from the rehearsal table?? However, two teams tied with correct answers and received their prizes. Who would have thought the vicar done it!

Afternoon tea/coffee and biscuits was served during the interval, raffle pre-drawn, and two quizzes were provided which were fun – the first photographs of TV detectives and we had to name the series – not as easy as you think – the second all the surnames of the people were also occupations with first names given and occupations listed.  Always well organised by the team, with easy-to-read paperwork listing the suspects including coloured  headshots of the cast and  appropriate icons to the roles enacted. The enthusiastic crime busting audience sat at numbered tables joined in the spirit of the afternoon’s entertainment. With thanks to the performers and Gary Pope who directed  the action and led the questioning as Detective Inspector Graves..

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