The Mystery of Edwin Drood

What do you get if you mix a famous writer’s (unfinished) work, a Victorian melodrama, an Old Time Music Hall act or two, some pantomime elements including audience participation and some well written music to suit the various types of theatrical genres enacted? The answer is a brilliant evening’s entertainment of “The Mystery of Edwin Drood” by eighteen excellent actors/singers with help from a talented production team.

First, the very appropriate music, played throughout by James Thomas on piano, recalled the Victorian days of variety theatre. He did a terrific job as there was so much music included in the score. The complicated, close and sometimes beautifully discordant harmonies at various points during the performance were really delightful as were the straightforward songs and rollicking choruses that accompanied this musical.

The master of ceremonies (Steve Wallace), introducing not only the stage acts and filling in the story of Edwin Drood and Charles Dickens’ writing of the play, had a very important role from beginning to end and did it to perfection. In true pantomime principal girl style we had the part of Edwin played by the talented Amy Shurey. His possible murderer came from an eclectic mix of characters from gentry to peasants. Sir John Jasper (Tony Bright) and Rosa Budd (Emma Twiddy) enacted the upper class element with great aplomb. Rosa had a lot of solo songs and her voice was pure and clear. Neville & Helena Landless (Michael Thomas & Alshah Yasmin Stephens) also were convincing in their roles as colonials who did not want Edwin to marry Rosa. The other four suspects from other walks of life and who played their characters convincingly were, Reverend Crisparkle (Ruth Roberts), Princess Puffer (Liz Lawrence), Durdles (Mark Roberts) and Bazzard (Pete Moore).  A further eight people provided strength to the ensemble singing and dancing.

Costumes were colourful and varied and very much in keeping with the period. Lighting and sound were executed with precision. Scenery and  props were simple and effective including the extensions and use of the front of the stage area. There were a lot of highlights, so I will just touch on two - that is the duet and dance in act one and  Princess Puffer’s song. This show had a very strong and uplifting opening. We were able to sit back and watch the music hall acts. We were able to groan suitably at the well-respected pantomime jokes. We enjoyed the fact that the writer allows the audience to choose the murderer.  In fact, we enjoyed it all. Congratulations to all.

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