Whodunnit

This play is a comedy thriller which evokes Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries and includes many stereotypical characters familiar to the genre.  It is a challenging play on many levels; great demands are put on the actors who play two distinct roles, technically it involves precise sound and light effects and the setting has to be immediately recognisable by the audience. ADHOC, under Sue Chaplin’s direction met these challenges very successfully.

Once again the set was excellent. This is a small stage but astonishingly on view was a stately home with a library. This was a complicated set with superb bookcases.  The tape recorder was evident throughout and worked well. Lighting was very good. There was much variety of lighting and these were very well coordinated and slick, especially with the use of individual spots. Costumes were very good and chosen well to reflect each character.

Sue was able to cast talented actors. Apart from the police, all the actors played characters found in a thriller plot. In Act Two they revealed themselves as the hired actors they were. The catalyst for the plot was Capodistriou played by Rick Davis.  This was excellently done. Rick was exceptional in his delivery of lines, mannerisms and misprounciations, the humour of the character  came through brilliantly, so much so that his villainy was overshadowed.  This was entirely in keeping with the mood of the piece. Phil Briggs’ drunken butler was comic, Mark Stewart and Peter Barber Lomax were very much in character with good facial expressions. Clare Boniface excellent as the snooty upper class lady who is an embittered actress. Clare had clear diction and gave a most natural and believable performance. Marie De Greeve truly was a beautiful sweet young thing who transformed herself into a jaded actress. and Simon Alaluf a very dashing black sheep transformed into a somewhat disreputable actor. These two were very well matched with good accents and mannerisms.  Cathy Kingscott’s believable archaeologist was very comic and then was  transformed into a down to earth cockney actress All these actors were first rate and true to the  vision of the piece. The denouement in Act Two further demonstrated their acting talents.
The pace in Act one was excellent.  Sue ensured that positions and movement on stage were carefully choreographed so that we were unaware of the limitations imposed by the small stage.
Cueing was excellent so that the first act had much energy and vivacity.
The pace was somewhat slower in Act Two as the characters and plot were revealed. Mike Alison’s sergeant was quite outstanding, his facial expressions and comic timing were first rate. Matt Rowson was perhaps less convincing as the Inspector. His diction was not always clear and his delivery could have been more varied. His hat created a shadow which concealed much of his face so that facial expressions were not always evident. The complicated explanations and reveals of the plot tended to slow the pace.  However the final reveal was good and Phil Briggs excellent at this final twist.
Sue Chaplin presented a fast moving comedy thriller.  This was carefully directed with a talented cast in a first rate set. ADHOC are to be congratulated for a very entertaining evening.

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