Farndale Ave TWGDS Murder Mystery

How does one write a report on a play that is supposed to go wrong! Well to give a polished performance is relatively easy compared to the skill needed for actors to intentionally act badly but this dream team of a cast managed to convince us right from the start of their ‘lack of talent’. If you have ever seen the professional productions of ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ you will have some idea as to what was to come but writers David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr were there years earlier: The FAHETGDS Murder Mystery premiered in 1980.

I have nothing but praise for the set design/construction that falls apart at a mere touch! But also lighting  and sound that needed accurate timing. For the comedy to work in this sort of production the direction has to be spot on and credit goes to Lindsey Hudson in this respect for co-ordinating the action of the cast and crew to ensure that everything went right (or do I mean wrong?) If something does go wrong, how is it distinguished from the scripted mishaps? Doors not opening, lights going off when they shouldn’t, sound effects in the wrong place, curtains coming off in the hands of the cast, hands being put through supposed glass window, lines in the wrong order, props in the wrong place.

The story, centres on members of the Bishop family being killed off for an inheritance. Unfortunately, the townswomen's ambition exceeds their ability, as four actors struggle to portray fourteen roles. 

Carol Arman-Addey played Phoebe Reece, President of the Guild. She introduces us to their amateur performance of ‘Murder at Checkmate Manor.’ Carol excels with her diction and facial expressions in her various roles in the world of Checkmate Manor: a restless corpse, a forgetful solicitor, a French maid, the equestrian niece and Lady Doreen’s eccentric sister. She also tells us of the last-minute change of cast where Gordon Pugh, the stage manager (Martin Arman-Addey) has had to reluctantly step into the role of Inspector O’Reilly. Martin gave a lovely portrayal of a participant thrown in at the deep end not really knowing where he should be standing and then even having to dance. Judy Burrows plays Audrey Farndale; she captures the nervousness of the amateur actor nicely in her roles from widow to spinster aunt and an archaeologist. Yvonne Hegarty as Thelma Greenwood portrayed the most deluded member of the whole company, her misplaced confidence is brilliantly captured in a highlight moment when she forgets to sit in  her wheelchair and has to try and subtly swap with her fellow actor. A lot of physical comedy came from Jess Aslett in the role of Felicity Fincham, doubling up as Pawn the butler, Mrs Castle and the Colonel. I have every admiration for the way she handled a standard lamp and a phone in one scene! Lastly I must mention the prompt (Nick Noakes ) sitting quietly in the corner. Who knows if any missed lines were scripted!

This play requires teamwork and they all must have had such fun in rehearsals. A thoroughly entertaining evening.

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