Who Killed The Vicar

I had the pleasure of attending ‘Who Killed the Vicar?’ a murder mystery play, written by Chris Martin, performed by St Cuthbert’s Amateur Dramatic Society (SCADS);at their beautiful church in Darwen. The church made a wonderfully ironic venue: pews turned into theatre seating, and the altar transformed into the bustling parish vicarage of the fictional St Ignatius the Unflappable. It was an inspired choice, creating an immersive environment that pulled us directly into the village of Steeply Willows, a quiet place with noisy secrets, where the only thing louder than gossip was the vicar’s ambition.

The story centres on Reverend Martin Peacock, who is not only organising the Summer Fair but also angling for promotion to Bishop of the Grimeford and Huntley Diocese. The Reverend’s increasingly erratic behaviour, questionable spending (including a shiny new sports car), and disregard for the feelings of his parish council sets the stage for simmering tension, which eventually leads to an unfortunate death and a host of suspects.

Amber Gibson directed the production with real thoughtfulness. Her warm opening set the tone at once and helped ground the audience in the world of the play. The decision to allow cast members to use scripts was practical, this is a dialogue-heavy show with complex twists, and the cast made the scripts feel natural and unobtrusive. Delivery remained expressive and clear, and the pacing never lagged.

Nicholas Davis was pitch perfect as Reverend Peacock. He balanced charm and arrogance with well-timed smugness, making the character both insufferable and oddly entertaining. His expressions, lofty tone, and knowing smiles kept the audience amused, even as suspicions began to build around him.

Tracy Robinson portrayed Gladys Sunday with gentle humour and great presence. Her constant tea-offering and nervous warmth gave her a lovely, flustered charm. There was depth in her performance too; beneath the comic exterior was a sense of unease that added complexity. She was engaging throughout, whether centre stage or reacting quietly in the background.

Lu Etchells gave a commanding performance as Brenda Buffton, the formidable Chair of the Parochial Parish Council. Brenda’s presence was larger than life, opinionated, theatrical, and quick to remind us of the injustice she suffered at the last Summer Fair cake competition. Lou’s timing was excellent, her energy unwavering, she held the audience’s attention whenever she appeared.

Martyn Mellodew was brilliant as Lincoln Green, the slightly nerdy and over-eager Scout Leader. With shorts, sash, and a boundless desire to help (even when completely misjudging the moment), Lincoln was a constant source of gentle laughter. Martyn’s reactions, often a beat behind the rest of the cast, gave the character a sweet awkwardness that made him instantly endearing.

Jessica Coupe played Penny Lane with charm and quiet confidence. I have seen Jessica in several productions, and it is heartening to see her talent and stage presence continuing to grow. Penny’s mysterious arrival and relaxed manner created intrigue, and Jessica kept her grounded and likeable throughout.

Sam Clegg delivered a thoughtful performance as Reverend Tobias Byrne, the curate often pushed aside by the overbearing Peacock. Sam gave his character a sense of quiet frustration, always just beneath the surface. His delivery was sincere and steady, and he brought a gentle dignity to the role.

Matthew Thomas was excellent as Roy Chimes, the new organist and council member with a slightly mysterious air. Using a cane and speaking of an old injury, he moved deliberately and carried himself with cautious authority. I particularly liked the way he eyed an ancient coin in Reverend Peacock’s office, a relic from 25 BC that clearly was not what it seemed. Mark’s subtle performance hinted that Roy’s interest in the coin might not be purely academic.

Martyn Pugh gave us a wonderfully misguided Detective Inspector Charlton. With an air of confidence and a knack for missing the obvious, Martyn delivered a performance that balanced comedy with just enough credibility to keep us guessing. His accent and expressions gave Charlton a distinctive personality, and his missteps added to the fun without veering into silliness.

Tincie Hill tied the whole mystery together as Lilly Hicks, legal representative of Bishop Burton. Her scenes brought clarity and focus to the final act. Calm, collected, and smartly delivered, Tincie gave Lilly a quiet authority that helped unravel the chaos and bring a sense of resolution. Her final explanation was well-paced and satisfying, and it grounded the production beautifully.

The pie supper was a lovely touch, it was obvious that SCADS had put real thought into making the whole evening enjoyable, not just the performance. Overall, Who Killed the Vicar? was a great production. The cast were fantastic, the direction was thoughtful, and the audience enjoyed every moment. A huge thank you to St Cuthbert’s ADS cast and crew for inviting me and my plus one, and for the hospitality shown to us throughout the evening. I look forward to many more productions from this society in the future.

 

 

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