Murder Afoot!

MURDER AFOOT!

Presented by

Stone Revellers

The delight of Stone Revellers June performances is the mixture of live theatre and a fish and chip supper. So says Stone Revellers’ Chairman Mark Doran and seconded by everyone in attendance last night.               

Talking to Director Kath Walton after the show we suddenly remembered this was opening night. Which added to the impressive and extremely polished performance from all involved throughout the production. Great casting. Great job.

Murder Afoot! is set in the Spring of 1936, in a very well presented multi-doored, dual level period dressed stage setting, which is used for the entirety of the production and worked very well.

The opening scene is laid out for the eagerly anticipating audience by intriguing Narrator - Carly Smith, an additional role, with script from Director Kath Walton’s pen. A well thought out addition indeed, Carly’s manner set a tone and expectation for what was to come.

We first meet Malcom Platt - Matt Wright, the simply utterly useless spoiled brat son of self-made businessman, the bombastic Titus Platt - Tim Clegg. The blabbermouth Maid, Livia - Hannah Adams, who never seems to attain the exacting standards of the devilishly dower haughty Housekeeper Grimlish, played so loathingly by Charl Andrews, with a scowl that would curdle milk!

Also, in the mix is Penny Platt - Hannah Wright, the effervescent, affair obsessed sister to Malcom, fiancé to Thomas - Joe Jenkinson, Second in charge in the family business, with intentions, not necessarily honourable ones either. Titus’s Personal, not Private, gun totting Secretary Hedda Noble - Emma Wilson, an enticingly thoughtful and wily character to be sure.

The overtly sexy French chanteuse Collette - Jen MacEachan, slinks her way through her scenes, with a bonus of a raunchy song thrown in to confirm her credentials, to rapturous applause. Plus, the late arriving new chauffeur applicant and object of Penny’s desires Drake - Alex McIvor, brandishing a very impressive moustache, more of which later.

There is of course, the mysterious gentleman burglar The Black Fox. The physical bit of business at the mention of his name was brilliant; simple but brilliant. Of course, with the suggestive title, the play being a murder mystery there is of course a murder. Well, several to be exact.

Enter the fruit fetishist Inspector Bullock - Leo Capernaros. The potential for mispronunciation of Bullock teased throughout again to much merriment, whilst he worked his fingers through the lavishly available fruits in the fruit bowl to emphasise his various points.

We were treated to a wonderful tongue in cheek, farce-like thirties romp, liberally sowing seeds of clues and red herrings, through the why and wherefores with much aplomb. Atmospherically lit, backed, when required, by wonderful thirties stylized versions on well known pop songs, again a superb detail, I loved the freezeframed “Oops I did it again” moment. The big reveal scene also brilliantly observed by all, Drake's moustache reveal to another moustache hilarious.

Costumes were excellent, my only criticism would be some of the ladies shoes were too modern, hosiery non period and tattoos on view. Minor picky things, but hey that’s why I’m there. 

The hilarious, witty dialogue throughout was distinct and clear, everyone bringing their A-game to the party. Played for maximum comedic effect. I won’t give the game away, but they were all guilty of something, mainly giving the audience a fabulously entertaining evening of pure escapism, oh and a fish and chip supper, must not forget that.

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