Murder In Play

The comedy by Simon Brett takes place during a play rehearsal. Boris Smolensky’s production of ‘Murder at Priorswell Manor’ is in disarray as cast members clash and personal tensions rise. When a real murder occurs during the rehearsal, the line between fiction and reality blurs and a series of twists keeps the audience guessing until the end. 

Richard Searle was perfect as the lothario Russian director Boris Smolensky who is frustrated with the inadequacies of his cast. He kept up his Russian accent impeccably. Emilia Rice as Sophie Lawton, who is still waiting for her theatrical break had great stage presence.  At the centre of the action is Renee Savage, (Boris’ wife) who is more interested in her status than in the play, was played with panache by Kathy Gelbert, The role of Harrison Bracewell demands an actor with a big personality, which we had with Richard Honess. He was just perfect. Playing a maid and then a woman with a huge ego, Clare Brown as Christa D’Amato displayed her versatility, such wonderful facial expressions and mannerisms.Heidi Akester was delightfully ditzy as Ginette Vincent, she gave faultless delivery. Rob Tizzard  produces lots of laughs as Tim Fermor, particularly when he is instructed to play one scene in a falsetto voice. Jackie Rice puts in a well-rounded performance as the stage manager/reluctant actor Pat.

Attention to detail with props, costumes, sound, lighting all worked well with strong support by the back-stage crew. I always think one of the biggest challenges for a theatre company is to play actors playing roles badly as it demands great skill to do it wrong so seamlessly, but with direction from Lorraine Slipper and this talented cast, it was a joy to watch this amusing play.

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