The Final Act

Upon arriving at Draycott Memorial Hall, I was greeted by the lovely Allie White. The Mendip Players always make me feel incredibly welcome, and their hospitality is second to none.

At 7pm, we were invited to join the after-show party hosted by the Shadow Drama Players. From the moment we entered the Memorial Hall, we were immersed in the world of the production. The stage was beautifully set, featuring a gorgeous Chesterfield sofa, a dressing table complete with illuminated theatre-style mirror lights, and all of Alphonse’s bottles carefully displayed. The meticulous attention to detail created an authentic atmosphere and set the scene perfectly for the evening ahead.

Meanwhile, the cast were already fully in character, mingling with the audience and interacting with one another as their theatrical alter egos. Their commitment to their roles before the performance had even begun added another layer to the immersive experience, drawing the audience into the story and creating a wonderful atmosphere throughout the hall.

As the play began, we were introduced to Gresham, the director of the Shadow Group, who informed us that the theatre company was facing closure due to a lack of funds.

Gresham was played as a sleazy, thoroughly unpleasant figure, and the portrayal was both convincing and engaging. Well-spoken, he quickly earned the audience’s disapproval. At one point, I overheard an audience member say, “Oh, isn’t he awful?” - a true testament to the actor’s skill. When a character is that disliked, it’s often because the realisation is that good, and this interpretation certainly achieved that.

From offstage, the noise of hammering drew our attention to Fred the handyman. His constant hammering regularly interrupted Gresham, much to his frustration. When Fred emerged on stage, he was depicted as reserved and kind-hearted, a loyal and dependable man who always seemed to be losing his tools and whose gentle nature made him an endearing presence throughout the production.

Gloria was presented as a strong-willed actress with a diva-like presence. Identifying herself as Gresham’s fiancée, she proudly wore her engagement ring despite his denial that he had ever proposed. Her devotion to him and obliviousness to his interest in other women made her appear both confident and vulnerable. It was a lovely characterisation, capturing both Gloria’s strength and her underlying fragility.

Alphonse was well realised as a perpetually drunken individual whose sharp, cutting remarks provided much of the comedy. The role was handled confidently and remained consistently in character throughout, with his mannerisms, speech, and interactions never breaking from the established persona. His dry wit and amusing observations created several hilarious moments, making him a memorable and entertaining presence on stage.

Suzy was played with innocence and naivety while conveying her optimistic nature. Her cheerful outlook and sincerity remained consistent throughout, making the role believable. Her scenes with Dominic worked particularly well, creating a natural and engaging dynamic on stage. Clear vocal delivery ensured every line was audible, helping the audience connect with her character.

Dominic was a convincing and confident presence on stage, portraying a young man destined for a successful future as a soap actor. His scenes with Suzy complemented each other well, and his clear delivery of lines ensured the role remained engaging throughout. The characterisation captured both his charisma and confidence with ease.

Betty was a caring and protective presence on stage, clearly looking out for Suzy’s best interests. Her feelings for Fred added another dimension to the character, while her role as Suzy’s mother was conveyed convincingly through her concern and guidance. The portrayal was believable and assured, capturing both Betty’s warmth and her determination to support those around her.

Clarissa, Dominic’s agent, was portrayed as focused and determined. Her presence was felt in every scene, bringing energy and purpose to the role and creating a confident and convincing performance. She maintained a sense of professionalism throughout and interacted naturally with the other cast members, helping to bring the story to life.

Alex, the company’s sound technician, was a lovely character who brought plenty of personality to the production. The flustered nature of the role was captured well, and the reactions during the reading of the suggested murder suspects were particularly memorable. The response to hearing Alex named as a possible suspect was excellent, with fantastic crying acting that was so heartfelt and convincing it genuinely made me want to give you a hug.

Inspector Foot of the Yard was an efficient and no-nonsense presence from the moment she appeared on stage. She took charge of the investigation while also guiding the audience through the unfolding events of the evening. Her competent delivery helped maintain the pace of the action and supported the development of the mystery.

After the play finished, we were treated to some delicious food and given the opportunity to meet each of the characters for three minutes. During that time, we could ask them any questions we liked in an attempt to work out who the murderer was.

Each member of the cast came to our table fully in character, which I commend you all for. You did an amazing job of answering every question thrown at you while staying true to your character. Remembering and drawing upon your backstory so convincingly is no mean feat. A huge well done to you all.

I was particularly impressed by the volume and clarity of every cast member on stage. Not a single line was lost, and I never missed a word throughout the performance. The direction was equally strong, with every member of the cast appearing confident in their role, knowing exactly where they needed to be and what was expected of them at all times. The result was a polished and professional production that ran smoothly from beginning to end.

I also thought it was a lovely touch to feature the NODA magazine within the performance itself. Seeing characters pick it up and read it throughout the evening was a nice acknowledgement of both my visit and NODA, and another example of the care and thought that had gone into every aspect of the production.

Well done to Allie and to all the cast, front-of-house team, and everyone involved in making your murder mystery evening such a success. Thank you so much for inviting my husband and me. We had a wonderful evening and greatly appreciated your hospitality. I look forward to seeing you all and your next production in 2027.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.