Edward Taylor's Murder by Misadventure

2019 marks SADS 17th year – 23rd production having donated the incredible sum of £137,00 to chosen charities.  What an achievement. Wow!

A somewhat different type of programme was produced using a black and red theme opening into an A3 sized poster, with headshots of the four performers - most effective and quite sinister. Another Full House with tables set with bright red coverings, cutlery wrapped in black napkins, candles contained in red glass together with wine glasses, set the scene. A splendid open set was designed and constructed  by Brian Saunders with interior designed and painted by Anne and Brian Everall. The room was perfectly struck as a luxury top floor seafront flat furnished to suit 1975, belonging to the Kents. High standard of detail always shown at SADS – black leather prominent – a strategic central patio silent gliding sliding door, soundproof opening onto a furnished balcony and dressed with brass pole draping a pair of curtains that easily drew – a necessity to the plot. Interesting and various accessories around the room.  A desk with typewriter with small cabinet  housing a gun. Shelves that displayed potted plants, vases, a theatrical award, an array of electrical gadget features, switches, entry phone all well-appointed. A storage cupboard suitable for housing golf clubs – also dead bodies!

A first class script commenced with a congenial ‘ideas’ meeting at ex-accountant businesslike Harold Kent’s luxury flat, one half of a successful partnership producing money spinning TV murder mysteries, but was beginning to turn sour? Paul Riggs on the other hand lives in an unfashionable part of London in a rented flat, dresses without a great deal of taste and certainly drinks more than is good for him – in fact is a functioning alcoholic. Harry’s wife Emma seems nice enough, looking to go away for a six week break. However, there are dark secrets, desperate consequences leading the audience a merry dance of twists and turns, with resulting gore, supposed stabbings, a blood-stained jacket, a dead body or not, an adulterous wife and husband plus a suited police Inspector who isn’t! 

Four wonderful actors took us through this complicated plot all plausible and totally believable.  Harold Kent – deceptive, organised, business negotiator was played by the versatile Ralph Miller. Andrew Ross as Paul Riggs, excelled as this alcoholic character, filled with ‘plot’ ideas,  the single partner with devious tendency.  Nicola Dealtry with gained confidence played the loving wife – or was she? Emma Kent was so convincing we couldn’t believe she was having an affair with Paul! Adding her costuming expertise, she chose light slacks and cardigan for bespectacled Harry, – simple jeans and polos etc. for herself with Paul slightly scruffy in rather bold patterned shirts. She was also responsible for the many props used. Lastly, with fine interpretation David Chaplin was the final character: suited Inspector Egan. Although the smallest part, a pivotal character but surprise, surprise, he was an actor not the officer of the law we thought!

Great action directed by the dedicated and thorough Susan Bowie, ensuring the fast and furious script flowed with constant red herrings, together with perfect sound and lighting matched by stalwart John Bush, relaying seashore sounds on door opening, telephone rings and entry bells. Most certainly a production keeping the audience in total suspense.

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