The Many Murderers of Henry Havalock

The Many Murderers of Henry Havalock is a farcical play written by (and featuring) Joe Johnson. The wealthy and drunk Henry Havalock has changed his will and invited his friends and family over to celebrate however, things go awry when bitterness and jealousy take hold and all invited are out to get him. With murder plotted and accidents occurring, it was a question as to whether Henry would survive the night.

The play was well written and witty. It was fast paced with some well executed tongue twisting lines flawlessly delivered, especially by Dee Hale (Lady Avaline Havalock).

The direction by Callum Ilkiw-Jenkins and Neesha Bhogal was well thought out, using the space on stage, set and props of Havalock House’s Drawing Room to maximum effect.

The small cast were suited to their roles and delivered a well-rehearsed performance. Kirsten Mackiewicz and Bill Horsley as Amelia and Arnold Higgins showed excellent comic timing in their roles as maid and butler. Tyler Marshall (Major Stanley Winn-Stanley) and Colin Raey (Reverend James Appleton) worked well together in their attempt to get back into Henry’s will at any cost. I particularly enjoyed the repartee between Lady Havalock and her youngest son, Dr Edmund Havalock played by Jack Dawson. Sarah Laing and Joe Johnston (Kitty and Geoffrey Havalock) provided a witty sibling relationship with Kitty proving Geoffrey right about girls not being able to shoot a gun, with him learning this the hard way several gunshot wounds later! Craig Jones played the drunk Henry Havalock well, oblivious to all of the attempts to murder him. Emma Holmes was equally flirtatious and villainous in her role of Flossie Aldridge.

The sound quality was really clear and the staging, lighting, sound effects, and costumes all reflected the time period of the piece set in the 1920s.

It was an enjoyable night filled with laughter and I look forward to Abbey Community Theatre’s future productions.

Thanks for uploading it for me. 

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.