Murdered to Death

Once again the welcome at Stonehaven Town Hall was an exceptionally warm one and the hall was decorated as part of Bagshot House, the setting for this Peter Gordon comic spoof with strong flavours of Agatha Christie. The piece opened with a delightfully sung "Let's Face the Music" by Catriona Macdonald which set the scene for the lady of the house Mildred - nicely played by Lynn Zaccarini and her niece Dorothy (Emily Esson) to set the scene for the ensuing mystery. The droll butler Bunting (Russell Adams) made a spectacular entrance to introduce dotty Colonel Craddock (Douglas Clark) and his domineering wife Margaret (Liz Forrest). More guests appeared in the person of snotty Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington (Heather Adams Officer) and French (?) art dealer Pierre Marceau (Tim Roberts). The final guest, albeit uninvited, was Miss Maple (Freda Adams). Following the mysterious shooting of the hostess with the Colonel's mislaid revolver, Constable Thompkins (Pete Smith) and Inspector (acting) Pratt (Andrew Cameron) entered to take over the proceedings - and the comedy with the aptly-name Pratt confusing everyone, including himself, resulting in many hilarious incidents, including a David Jason style fall through the dining room door!. Ury Players also included an interval quiz for the audience to name the murderer(s), which I'm afraid I only got half right. Thanks again, for a most enjoyable evening of well-produced and acted theatre.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.