Murder at Checkmate Manor The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild of Dramatic Society Murder Mystery

The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild of Dramatic Society Murder Mystery

Murder at Checkmate Manor

Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society Ltd

Written by David McGillivray and Walter Zerlin Jr

Director - Joan Heard

Stage Manager - Marc Colson assisted by Rhys Taylor

Lighting - Tony Hill

Sound – Tony Hill and Holly-Anne Hill

 

As we enter the auditorium the stage is set as the drawing room of Checkmate Manor, an expertly painted set, including a fireplace, with a workable window to the garden, a table on which is a chess board and pieces with a number of items of furniture. As the audience take their seat’s we embrace the atmosphere with the subtle sound of a beautifully played piano forte by Mrs Joanna Scales, an expert on the ivory’s and somewhat unstoppable, when asked to actually stop!

We are also greeted by ladies of The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen Guild of … lets just call them FAHETGOS from now on, supplying us with quiz slips and advising us of the fashion show in the interval, all in wonderful character.

And before we even begin, the catastrophe’s start with a huge flat, containing the fireplace, falling ‘flat’ onto the stage. Two cast members attempt to rectify the situation but only to return it to its position but upside down. Incredibly funny, as later, Inspector Reilly attempts to warm himself by the fire which is now 20 foot in the air! And so it begins, with a collapsible table, tumbling curtain rails, separating chairs, you name it this production had it.

Now props can only work if you have a competent cast who have rehearsed endlessly to ensure the ‘play that goes wrong’ goes wrong seamlessly. With a cast of five very competent and clever actors who, throughout, play 15 characters hilariously, we were treated to an evening of comedy and full-on belly laughing at times from an appreciative audience.

Gordon who portrayed Inspector O’Reilly showed a dry physicality and with the staccato utterance of his lines was perfect as the inept police inspector. The inspector’s attempts at flirty interactions with the character of Daphne Bishop are made brilliantly awkward by these two actors. The actor playing Daphne is quite clearly repellant of any advance and portrays this clearly.

Audrey had a task on her hands portraying four characters, with unceasing costume changes throughout but not a problem for this actor whose excellent timing and stage craft was obvious. Brilliantly done and loved her spinster, archeological chasing aunt. Likewise, the actor playing Phoebe Reece achieves an incredible performance, portraying five characters and literally never off stage as one or the other. Having superb stage presence and uproarious characterisations, especially as the french maid and Letitia, the play flowed beautifully.  With the aid of Felicity as Pawn the butler, whose quick changes were absolutely priceless, her wit and timing being exceptional, producing a delightful performance.

The added bonus of audience participation in the guise of a quiz was perfect and the unexpected fashion show which was wittily awful added merriment to an already funny production. The spaceship was something else!

I was seriously impressed by this production brought to the stage by Sidmouth Amateur Dramatic Society. The staging was superb and uniquely created by Viv Rands and Stan Hodge who deserve special praise. The lighting was well thought out and thanks to a good sound engineer I could hear every word said along with all of the sound props timed perfectly.

The stage manager had a great deal to contend with due to the nature of the play but also health and safety of the cast and this was a good job done well.

Special mention must be paid to the director Joan Heard who has a wealth of experience directing numerous productions over many years. Joan always seems to pay microscopic attention to details and due to that has created a show of such calibre.

Well done to all involved. Your audience left chuckling and with huge smiles on their faces having enjoyed a wonderful evening of entertainment.

 

Lyn Burgoyne on behalf of Patricia Barclay

(Noda South West Representative for Mid and East Devon, District 05)

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