Murder On The Brantham Express

I was warmly welcomed on arrival by Lisa Butler (Secretary) and had the opportunity to talk with Writer and Director Tom Hitchcock in the interval and again after the performance. This production was an interactive murder mystery, staged in the round requiring audience participation to solve the mystery ie a classic whodunnit. Tom Hitchcock wrote this for another society in Suffolk and adapted it for Brantham.

The set on stage was basic but very adequately reflected a standard railway waiting room. An elevated stage was built out on blocks down the length of the hall and on this the major action on the train took place. The audience was seated at tables spaced in the hall giving the impression that we were actually on the train!

A large video screen was used to show the train travelling through the heavy snow with appropriate sound effects and a station clock added authenticity to the set. In fact a snow machine deposited copious amounts of snow on the staging at appropriate times!

The casting was excellent with all characters being well matched to their characters.

James Wetherall, as Inspector Peero, was the investigating officer, maintaining a great French accent throughout. Ben Cook, as the French film writer Pierre, was suave and persuasive and he displayed a strong French accent also. Roger Bustyfield, played by Alan Jones and his wife, Penelope, played by Natalie Dwan were well paired with Roger, an elderly and wealthy gentleman struggling to keep up with his younger wife. Natalie was cheeky, extrovert and an outrageous flirt with the other males on the train and was the “victim”, found dead in her seat.

Roger Weeley was the golfer Richard “Dicky” Bird, married but also engaged in an affair and with a definite eye for the ladies. Crawford Jones, played by Mike Brown was increasingly annoyed by Dicky’s behaviour and became somewhat testy and impatient.

The two nuns on board, Sister Mary, played by Elizabeth Diamond and Sister Ann, played by Laura Pitchell were both demure and self effacing initially as suited their characters. However, Sister Mary was easily affronted and her facial expressions told the audience what she was really thinking! Sister Ann was not so devoted and turned out to be in disguise. Both characters were well acted.

Jack played by Avery Howlett, was the mute porter/general help and impressed with his expressions and reactions. Felicity, played by Connie Lewis was a young waitress looking to improve her lot and took her lead from Martha, played by Teresa Fraser. Martha was keen on Albert, the train driver, played by Richard Heath.

All the costumes were authentic and reflected the times.

So, which of these characters was the killer ?

After the interval, the cast members went in turn to each table inviting the audience to interrogate them and to decide who killed Penelope.

Inspector Peero then presented the clues to the audience and revealed the name of the killer.

This was a really strong and confident performance by the entire cast and the audience eagerly participated. I enjoyed the evening  very much.

Well done to everyone involved in this production.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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