Inspector Drake and the Black Widow

The Inspector Drake series of plays are an amusing parody of the Whodunnit genre, a sort of cross between The Play that goes wrong and Cluedo packed with lots of visual gags, silly puns, and adult innuendo with a touch of cross dressing. The Director has to ensure a careful line is drawn so that it does not become pantomime. It is easy to see why it is a popular Am Dram title as it is great fun to watch, and I am sure to play.

Shinfield Players revival of Black Widow gets that line right with the Inspector playing it straight, unaware of the audience and limited  cast size and the Sergeant knowingly engaging the audience, breaking the fourth wall and many other stage conventions! Their relationship becomes central to the enjoyment of the show, but it is the actress playing all the other parts that often steals the scene. The Players are blessed to have two men reprising the roles from 10 years ago and using all that experience to good comic effect and a debutant actress who wonderfully nails each different characterisation.

The staging is detailed and effective. There was an excellent back cloth and effective painting of Lord Devonshire and plenty of good-looking period furniture and dressing. The sound effects and prop heavy show was executed well. This was a very enjoyable entertaining comedy with a very good cast, well-staged with effective and well-paced direction and with a multitude of wonderful props and sound effects. Great fun.

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