Farndale Avenue Townswomen's Guild Murder Mystery

Golly Gosh!!! where do I start? Even the programme is crazy. What have you done Rats? 'Farndale Avenue Townswomen’s Guild Murder Mystery’ - this comedy play, directed by Helen Caston, is exceptionally BRILLIANT. How the cast kept straight faces I do not know - I know I wouldn’t be able to.

Jo Godman playing five different parts all with quick changes keep us thinking “what next?” - this was a master class in comedy acting from Jo, I couldn’t get enough of her stupendous acting..Claire Feekings had the glamorous part and she looked it, and then aged up for the next two parts. She took transformation well and acted these three parts extremely well. Kathy West took on playing Pawn, Col King, and Mrs Castel, how difficult is that! But Kathy being the character actress she is, took this under her wing, and pulled it off. Loved Col King so so funny. Kerry Bailey cast as Lady Doreen Bishop, Violet Bishop, Joan Bishop and Mrs King. Playing three characters in the same family, I loved her facial nuances and at times I thought she would start to laugh. But she held it together. Steve Berry, as Gordon Pugh - how he keep a stern face all the way though I do not know, being with these four crazy women.

Ian West, your stage design is one of the best I have seen at the Oast and the things that went wrong purposely, were well-timed by stage manager Jill Balderstone and her stage crew. Helen Caston, Director, this must have been a nightmare for you to get your cast to get it wrong. This play reminds me of ‘The play that goes wrong”, which I saw some years back, but is far superior both in direction and cast. Helen you made me chuckle all the way home, this tells me I LOVED this play and your direction was superlative. RaTs you never cease to surprise me, but this goes to the top of the list. From the minute I stepped in the door I knew I was going to be in for a good night: three strange looking ladies attached me. Your audience were with you all the way, as I walked down the alley on the way to the car…I heard ladies saying…”Haven’t laughed like that ln ages”, ” so so good” and “love to see that again to see the cock ups”. Yes, a lady said that. I am inclined to agree with her. Thank you thank you Rats for allowing me to see this superb “cock up of yours” how can you top this?

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