STONE COLD MURDER

A great murder mystery will keep you guessing right until the very end – and James Cawood’s thriller STONE COLD MURDER is excellent in this respect. Every time you think you’ve got it figured out, something else comes along to leave you baffled – even the most determined sleuth would have trouble keeping up with this one!.

The play takes place in a Lake District Country House Hotel, where the doors have recently closed for the winter.

There are just four characters: newly-weds Olivia and Robert Chappell, who recently took over the hotel and are now settling down for a relaxing close-season; Ramsey, a stranded climber, and Sam Stone who, along with his ‘ex’ Olivia, is harbouring a deadly secret. The cast were highly skilled in their craft, all delivering energetic and believable characterisations.

Many congratulations to Dave Cooper for his thoughtful and experienced direction, on a set which could have graced many a professional stage.

Alex Hepple’s Olivia is edgy and nervous as she attempts to leave her past behind her and start a new life, whilst Trevor Bell as her besotted and seemingly caring husband Robert is mild-mannered, though he too has his moments. Maurice Leaver as the climber definitely has an air of mystery about him, and made me feel very uneasy, whilst James Elliot as the smiling ex-husband Sam, brought to mind one of those clever psychopaths who lures their victims into their lairs. He definitely scared me. But there’s a very unexpected twist in the tale which proves that all is not as it seems.

As previously mentioned, the set, designed and built by Andy Gilmore was excellent, well dressed with high quality props. The lighting, designed by James Elliot and operated by Matthew Hall added to the mystery, as did the sound by wonder-man Andy Gilmore. Superbly atmospheric and sensitive to the piece. 

Timing is everything in a production like this, and the Team got it spot on. It provided a fantastic night of intense theatre for me and President Gordon and I defy anyone to figure it out. 

Thanks for the invitation and the photo opportunity. We had a great night.

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