The Mysterious Affair of Mr Mears

What a splendid way to spend a Saturday afternoon! I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the murder mystery play, and the afternoon tea was delicious.

The set was good and depicted the lobby and seating area in an hotel with stairs leading to the upper floors. There were flowers on the reception desk and the keyboard behind the desk, complete with keys.   

Mrs Mop, played by Nicki Breslin, introduced herself and she epitomised the cockney cleaning lady. Starting her dialogue on the floor made her seem like someone who was sharing a good gossip with us, and she played the part well.

Alison Johnston–Ralph made a very business-like Mrs Summerfield. She acted the part convincingly and looked very smart. In the role of Jenks, Robert Hardy acquitted himself well. His costume was appropriate - braces would have been more apt.

As Imelda Argos, Vicki Prince was impressive.She settled into her ‘foreign’ accent and her diction was very good. Her carriage was regal and she looked every inch the wife of a President. The blustering Colonel Manning was well characterised by Geoff Buckingham who gave a very natural performance (I wrongly had him down as the murderer!)

The two young Modravians, represented by Saara Sofia Paakko as Bianca and Ashley Felstead as Cliff, played their parts with confidence. Ashley spoke with a strong accent, rather quickly with Saara was more measured in her delivery. Stephen Liddle was superb as ‘H’ – he has wonderful stage presence /craft and first-rate projection. Playing Inspector Albright Rob Johnson’s acting and facial expressions were very good – he was believable in the role.

The play was strongly cast and was beautifully costumed.

Olwen did a very good job on the direction front, nice positioning and movements around the stage, although I did wonder why Jenks was using the feather duster?

Properties and furniture were suitable. Lighting was effective and the sound effects especially so.

Your programme is nicely presented and has good quality coloured photos of the cast, but there was no indication of time or setting which is usual in a play.

There was plenty of relevant information in the handout in the interval and we all read avidly in the hopes of a significant clue.

I thought this was a great way to present entertainment and I hope was as big a financial success for the company as it was for the audience.

My thanks also for inviting me to see the murder-mystery play which was a first for me --- but I hope not a last!

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