Murder at The Rehearsal

The tone of the play was set before the curtains opened as a variety of TV murder mystery themes were played. This was a quirky yet fun piece directed by Barry French. I arrived expecting a murder but I definitely did not expect eight, some of the cast didn’t make it through half of act one! Barry used an open stage, dressed by a few random backstage props. There was not much ‘business’ as such, as the plot relied on characterisations to move the story along. The first scene used a semi-circle seating arrangement which meant that some lines were delivered upstage and there were a few instances of wandering dialogue, especially in act one, and some pauses as the cast fought to keep the dialogue going. The full house audience entered into the spirit of things and were shouting advice to the actors during act two, instructions such as ‘don’t drink the tea’ and ‘don’t go that way’ were heard. The actors had to delay their lines or repeat them to ensure they could be heard.

 

There were some good characterisations from most of the cast, even the ones that only had one scene. Barbara Hardwick playing the director, Jill Hardcastle, managed to be ill-prepared, stressed and resigned to being in charge. In contrast Gemma Brookes, played by Milli Finch, was positive and keen to get started.

Millie Etherington was waspish, cynical and just plain obnoxious as Mary Harris and the camp, over-imaginative and easily frightened Rory Jones was played with gusto by Joe Geddes. Lucy Greenaway’s portrayal of egocentric Kim Taylor was very enjoyable and the audience groaned aloud at some of her name dropping. Andy Kemp was probably the most pedantic man in the village but Ernie Finch also made him one of the most observant and in the end, very useful. The shy, helpful props lady was quietly played by Jane Tomsett and Gerard Ronay had the sympathy of the audience as PTSD sufferer, Pat Spence. Sam Fish had excellent diction as the inefficient and unreliable Detective Shaw. The cameo part from Jim Self was just right but I don’t think I would have listed him in the programme as Director as it almost gave the twist away.

 

The cast moved the tables and chairs efficiently and quietly during the short blackouts, and the props list was very small so easy to sort out. The costumes were simple and appropriate for each character, adding outdoor coats when needed for example; and the blood that appeared on Kim’s t-shirt worked well.

Lights flashing on and off, mysterious bumps and falling props all managed to make the cast and the audience jump in the right places.

 

 

My guest and I had an enjoyable evening, we laughed out loud and gasped as the bodies piled up. My guest identified the murderer before me but I spotted the plot twist before it was revealed. Thank you Kelvedon Players.

 

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