Dig For Vengeance

This was another comedy ‘Murder Mystery’ from the Lazy Bee Script library. Set in the village of Sodbury End where a suspicious death is investigated by Inspector Grace Murray. Jennifer, wife of Edward Jardine ex-army man was a prominent and dominant lady who everyone appears on the surface to like. She is blown sky high whilst potting on her monkey puzzle tree in her allotment shed. Insp. Murray soon discovers that there are several suspects and when interviewed appear to have a grudge of some sort. But who is the culprit and what are the clues and opportunities? This was for us the large audience seated around circular tables to try and decide.

Director Vanessa introduced the proceedings, so settling with drinks, we observed and try to take in the many facts supplied by the cast using stage and down stage entries as well as through the hall.

During the first interval we were served a hearty hot meal of Chicken Pie accompanied by vegetables with alternatives for those with other dietary requirements, and we started to discuss who ‘dun it.’ With further action, and a dessert break our fellow sleuthers were still unsure, but we all agreed it was most likely the Vicar who really enjoyed the macabre, but really had no clues.

Dressed in a suitable belted dark mac Sue Neame played Inspector Grace Murray with a slightly tentative start who grew with confidence. Suspects were introduced – the widower ex-army man Edward Jardine – not such the perfect marriage and with weapon knowledge certainly a possibility. Played by straight faced Mac Mercer  Jardine was smartly dressed, had knowledge of the Mills bomb - a grenade from WW1 and he did have a liaison with common Beautician Maisie Goggins, who made a bit on the side behind with Co-op with some of the village gentlemen. A lovely sexy part beautifully minced in tight short skirt, red curly hair she flipped back  by Kirsa Olsen, with some lovely comedic saucy lines too. Landlady of the ‘Gardeners Arms’, definitely the boss was elegantly dressed Brenda Alnutt played by Elaine Warborough whilst her henpecked  husband Bernie played by Gary Robinson made any excuse not to change the Sodbury Sludge barrel preferring  producing veg, spending much time with surly Gravedigger Sid Mole attired in scruffy overalls and cap  - who firstly discovered the grenade which went awol - characterised by Sarah Wood. The comic of the piece was undoubtedly Mo Mole the pub cleaner – perfect in overall, knitted hat, fag, duster, and broom, lovely characterising and timing from Sue Johnson. Lastly, Vicar Simeon, an eccentric character dressed in  black inner cassock and traditional biretta, graveyard and funereal fetish was Fiona Fraser-Pritchard tottering with accentuated pronunciation, graveyard and funereal fetish, blessing the audience. Previously a chaplain in Wiltshire we should have realised it might have been on military bases therefore a possible interest in weaponry!! Directed by Vanessa using imaginative sets either side of stage – one corner the men on the allotment with two folding chairs, plenty of flowerpots, a table with mugs, flask, trug, a propped-up spade and the other a portion of pub with hanging sign, a bar with pump the other. Extension stage steps were well used too, and a comprehensive Notice Board. The crew worked hard, catering headed by Tom Batt, bar staff  Henry Robinson and Edward Lawton with Alan Arthur SM and Louis Robinson in charge of the technical side, programme and paperwork for the tables, and Heather Gould F of H. A thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment from the performers, socialising with our table companions and splendid hospitality.

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