Who Killed Lady Dinkleberry

The Misfits Amateur Theatre Blackpool welcomed their audience to Holy Cross Parish Centre for Who Killed Lady Dinkleberry?, an original interactive murder mystery written and directed by Fern Crump. From the moment we arrived, there was a friendly atmosphere, and the company had worked hard to make everyone feel welcome. There was a strong sense of community in the room, with the audience encouraged to relax, take part and enjoy something a little different.

This production was an interactive murder mystery set aboard the “S.S. Opulence.” The story centred on Lady Dinkleberry, a wealthy and much-loved employer who had decided to change her will after an incident at the Dinkleberry Yachting Club, where she and her close friend Ethel had nearly lost their lives due to food poisoning. With family members and crew apparently absent in her hour of need, Lady Dinkleberry removed several people from her will and intended to leave her money to Ethel instead. This decision led to her death, and Inspector Bert Boysenberry and PC Bill Strawberry were called upon to investigate the mystery as further deaths occurred on board.

Before the main performance, Andrew Dutton opened the afternoon with a short stand-up comedy warm-up. Stand-up comedy is one of the most exposed forms of performance, requiring confidence, courage and a willingness to engage directly with an audience. Andrew should be congratulated for taking this on and for having the bravery to step forward and try something very challenging. Not every joke landed fully, but Andrew approached the warm-up with commitment and did a good job of helping to open the afternoon.

The production and warm-up included some explicit language and adult humour. It was good to see this acknowledged clearly in the programme, and it was also mentioned to the audience before the start of the performance. This kind of content guidance is helpful, as it allows audiences to understand the tone of the piece and supports clear communication between the company and those attending.

Writing an original murder mystery is no easy task. It requires a careful balance of plot, clues, pace, comedy, character and audience engagement. Fern Crump should be commended for taking on the challenge of creating a new piece of theatre for the company. There was a clear sense of imagination behind the idea, and the nautical murder mystery setting gave the group a playful theme to work with. It was also encouraging to see Misfits continuing to explore different styles of theatre and not simply relying on safer or more familiar choices.

Fern Crump, as Fufu Dinkleberry, brought energy and commitment to the production. Taking on the roles of writer, director and performer is a huge undertaking, and her dedication to the company was evident throughout. Fufu was written as an obnoxious daughter, and Fern clearly enjoyed playing with the character’s larger-than-life qualities.

Heath Crump appeared as Lady Dinkleberry through video footage at the start of the production, rather than appearing live on stage. Andy Welsh also appeared through video footage as Doctor Berry. This was a good use of technology and helped establish key characters and the circumstances of the mystery before the live action began. It gave the production an additional theatrical element and showed a creative approach to storytelling within the resources available. Heath was also credited as co-director and clearly played an important part in supporting Fern and helping bring the production together.

Carol Crump, as Ethel Lingoberry, brought warmth to the cast and helped establish the friendship at the heart of the opening situation. Mickey Horrocks, as Inspector Bert Boysenberry, had the important job of carrying much of the investigation. Mickey played the inspector as somewhat worse for wear for much of the performance, which gave the character a comic angle and added to the exaggerated style of the piece. As the inspector often becomes the audience’s guide through a murder mystery, this type of character choice works best when balanced with moments of clarity, so that key clues and plot developments remain easy for the audience to follow.

Jack Whittaker, making his debut performance with the group as PC Bill Strawberry, supported the detective element of the piece and worked alongside Mickey in the investigation scenes. It is always encouraging to see new performers being welcomed into a company, and I hope Jack enjoyed his first appearance with Misfits.

Shannon Jones, as Katie Gooseberry, Ian Langley as Arthur Chokeberry and Ceriann Corcoran as Ella Salmonberry all contributed to the group storytelling. Each character had a place within the mystery, and the cast worked together with a clear sense of commitment. Andrew Dutton, as Blowa Raspberry, added to the entertainment element of the afternoon, having already helped open the event with his stand-up warm-up. Harry Chambers, as Compere, helped frame the event for the audience and gave the production an additional sense of occasion.

As with previous Misfits productions, the company’s greatest strength remains the support and encouragement between its members. There was a clear willingness from everyone involved to take part, commit to the material and work as a team. The performers have different levels of experience, but this is part of the spirit of the company. Misfits continues to provide a space where people can be involved in theatre, try new things and grow in confidence.

Vocally, there were moments where a little more clarity, pace control and projection would have helped the audience follow the detail of the plot. This is especially important in a murder mystery, where every clue and piece of information matters. Slowing down key lines, placing emphasis on important details, and giving the audience time to absorb each development would help future productions feel clearer and more assured.

The staging was simple and practical for the venue. Holy Cross Parish Centre provided a useful community space, and the company made the best of the facilities available. The audience also enjoyed a lovely meal, which was served around three quarters of the way through the performance. This added to the sociable nature of the event and gave the audience another opportunity to relax and enjoy the afternoon.

The committee and backstage team should also be recognised. Small societies rely heavily on people giving their time, energy and support, often across several different roles. Andy Welsh acted as prompt during the live performance, which is an important support role, particularly in an original piece with a busy plot and a lot of information for the cast to manage. The programme also thanked the cast, crew, friends and family, House of Wingz, Holy Cross Parish Centre, Print Blackpool and everyone who came along to support local amateur theatre. That sense of gratitude and community was very much in keeping with the spirit of Misfits.

Overall, Who Killed Lady Dinkleberry? was an ambitious and imaginative piece, and the company should be congratulated for pulling it together so well. The production showed a group willing to create original work, try something different and provide opportunities for its members. There was commitment from the cast, evident hard work from the creative team, effective use of technology, and a continued sense of inclusion at the heart of the society. The meal also added to the relaxed and sociable nature of the event, helping to make the afternoon feel welcoming for those attending.

Congratulations to Fern Crump, the committee, cast, crew and everyone involved in this production. Misfits Amateur Theatre Blackpool continues to be a company with a clear purpose and a genuine desire to bring people together through theatre. I wish the group every success with its next production and look forward to seeing how it continues to grow and develop.

 

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