Something's Afoot

Malice, mystery, murder and mayhem were on the cards as Jigsaw Players presented the knockabout comedy Something’s Afoot.  A musical spoof on Agatha Christie-style murder mysteries, in particular drawing inspiration from ‘And Then There Were None’, this was an entertaining show full of camp silliness, and the Players threw themselves into the material with gusto. 

There was a good atmosphere in the auditorium as we took our seats around tables, cabaret style.  These were scattered with little stars as also held trays of fondant fancies – a welcoming touch by the front of house team for this afternoon performance.  The show started with a selection of songs from the 1930s era in which the play is set, performed by the chorus and one or two of the principals, and a dance number.  This also took place before the second half and was a nice way to start each act, providing an opportunity for the chorus to shine, showcasing Jigsaw’s founding principles of inclusivity very effectively.

Then we were into the play itself, as a motley crew of likely suspects pitched up at the country house ‘Rancour’s Retreat’, supposedly for a weekend with Lord Dudley Rancour.  So, we met naïve ingénue Hope Langdon (Jenny Rose), strait-laced Doctor Grayburn (Keelan Pavitt), black sheep of the family Nigel Rancour (Sam Ryan), Grande Dame Lady Grace Manley Prowe (Laura Hodgson/Tracey Hart), straight-backed military man Colonel Gillweather (Steve Levett) and Miss Marple-style amateur detective Miss Tweed (Libby Barrett). 

Also on the scene were the domestics – saucy maid Lettie (Francesca Johnson/Hannah Price), randy caretaker Flint (Harrison Daley) and the old retainer, Butler Clive (Greg Boughton).  Last but not least, outsider Geoffrey (Glyn Diggett) appeared, soaking wet and looking rather suspicious, after it had been ascertained that Lord Rancour, far from greeting his guests was…wait for it…dead! 

As the show went on, we saw various characters getting bumped off in increasingly ingenious ways – an exploding staircase, a dart shot from an African mask, a surprisingly hazardous Ming vase – until the last pair standing uncovered the solution (shortly after which, they were no longer standing either!)  A word here for the set, which was fundamental to delivering the many gruesome deaths that pepper the show, and without which it would not have had the same impact.  Congratulations to Stuart McDonald, who designed and built the set and props, and deserved every bit of the congratulations bestowed on him by the Players.  It was a triumph.  Special effects, including poisonous gas flowing from a phone and a dramatic electrocution were also impressively done.

The play (directed by Maggie Bishton) was given a stylised, high energy presentation, really playing up the spoofy style of the script, and bringing out elements of Music Hall.  This worked well to garner plenty of laughs from the audience, although it did initially make for a very ‘full on’ experience, and I wondered if from time to time a bit more light and shade could have been introduced?  This happened much more in the second half, as the characters were thinned out and the mystery deepened. 

The musical elements added another layer to this show, and were well delivered by the principals and a large chorus of maids and butlers.  There were some very nice harmonies in the singing, and some charming choreography (by Madison Copson and Maggie Bishton) added plenty of interest to the group numbers.  Highlights for me included ‘Suspicious’, which ended the first half with a rousing summary of the plot; ‘Dinghy’, in which Flint and Lettie flirtatiously planned their escape; and ‘I Owe It All’, a very cheeky nod to Agatha Christie with a toe-tapping tune.  Congratulations to all of the performers and to the ‘Something’s Afoot Band’, led by Chris Corcoran, whose sprightly interpretation of the score set the tone perfectly. 

Well done to everyone at Jigsaw Players for putting together an entertaining, inclusive show that made for a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Many thanks for the warm welcome, it is much appreciated and makes it such a pleasure to visit groups like yours, who showcase what amateur theatre is all about.  I look forward to seeing you again later in the year, for the annual pantomime, which this year is Aladdin. 

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