Murder in Company

The setting is a village hall where a dramatic society are rehearsing a mystery thriller. The rehearsal proceeds with a number of difficulties until a mysterious death brings the situation to a head. The Phoenix Company brought to life a cleverly written dark comedy, in which almost everyone could have been the murderer. The audience are met by a good-looking village hall set, epitomising a well-used facility, typically perhaps in need of a little TLC.

Arriving early to the rehearsal are Alan (Tom Lee Hynes) and Margaret (Jane Bovell) who appear to be having an affair, he expressing his love for her, she expressing some regret and that it must end. Both provided a powerful opening and in fact each player that followed had at least one equally powerful or moving stand out speech during the performance. Ted the new caretaker was well played by Alan Chacon, a busybody stickler for the rules who had an apparent habit of eavesdropping on the conversation before making each entrance, including several interruptions of the rehearsal, hence a heavy suggestion that he could easily blackmail the two lovers. Margaret’s husband Philip was a rude blustery bombastic director of their play and Les Davis captured the character well, turning into a Hercule Poirot character later on trying to solve the mystery death.

We meet Phoebe also well played by Lucy Davies, who we discover knew Ted the new caretaker from a long time ago and her eventual explanation of how Ted was basically to blame for her son’s death was excellent. Doris (Amanda Barrett) was late to the rehearsal because she had been attacked on the way and suspicions are raised that Philip was he attacker as she was still holding a scarf belonging to him, that she managed to grab during the attack. Amanda’s scene with Alan when he looked to settle her and they shared a bottle of brandy was played with a natural ease.

Phil Field as the play’s stage manager Ronnie, was excellent, a somewhat light-hearted mischievous character and the bench routine when ‘standing in’ was very funny. His final speech in Act 3 when at first entering worse for drink and then breaking down, was very well handled and moving. Mia Field as Patricia, the youngest in the cast, who earlier found the body and had doubts about the coroners verdict that it was accidental death, also displayed great strength, when explaining that it was too stressful to continue taking part in the play and with 2 weeks to go wanted to leave the cast.

Prior publicity for ‘Murder in Company’ confirmed that it was Ted the caretaker that was murdered, but my lips are sealed as to who did it! This was a well written piece by Philip King and John Boland, well directed by Renee Field which demonstrated a depth of experience in the whole company. Congratulations to all involved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.