Murder is Shocking by Elisabeth Doust

Another mystery plot written by Chairman Elisabeth Doust.  LCBP under the debut direction of Maureen, this was an afternoon intrigue with a murder most foul, audience participation in song and guessing the culprit, with the help of DI aka Lewis Ikin allowing questions, together with a quiz seeking answers of musical instruments. A good number of the audience were in as a group and had their afternoon tea during the interval. Tea and biscuits were available, and we were invited to bring along ‘nibbles’ to help solve the case. Elisabeth welcomed me and I was seated at the front, the hall in a relaxed table arrangement with a pleasant couple of ladies for company. Rona Morton oversaw the raffle.

Maureen explained all and introduced us to the group of mediocre folk musicians, who are in the middle of a gig and are about to take a break backstage. On drawing to a close, there appears to be a fatal accident. This is not the case and it’s now up to the audience using the clues given during the performance to decide who the murderer is! The backstage scene was well devised with good props. The actors were convincing in their performances, not flustered by the questioning and the singalongs were fun.

The DI  - using a hand mike, Lewis Ikin appeared with authority through the auditorium and skilfully questioned the suspects, as did the audience members until we felt we had a conclusion.  The suspects dressed in colourful 70s' style costume – bellbottoms, flowers and the like - take questioning well and of course only tell the truth apart from the murderer.

Tony the group manager, played by Gary Pope, becomes the deceased by means of electrocution from severed wires.  Not a pleasant chappie on all accounts – a gambler, in debt to a Group member and CD sales money appears to be unaccounted for. Lyn Ford is Bas and she’s waiting for her loan from Tony to be paid back and what has happened to her investment recommended by him? Margaret Smart plays Cy, she doesn’t like her name, she doesn’t like Tony and certainly doesn’t trust him with money.  She pays all the bills etc. Des has a past, in fact a homosexual past, and Tony is blackmailing him, he’s also an electrical engineer. Drum, portrayed by Malcolm Atfield, is a man with several names and family skeletons that are revealed. He also had electrical experience. Lastly, unassuming Fi is quietly played by Margaret Punter who just wanted to get away go to Devon with her man Kevin and open a guesthouse for actors.  So, they all had a fear, they all had histories and dislikes so whodunnit? After much deliberation the murderer was exposed, arrested and marched away. Regretfully our table of only three got it wrong! A congenial afternoon.

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