WhoDunnit

As the Curtain parted in this beautiful little theatre, we are greeted by a five-piece band led by the writer and Musical director Dave Culling on keys supported by four other extremely talented musicians.

One by one we are greeted by all the characters, enabling the audience the chance to learn more about the background of each one, through superb comedy and wit. The plot centres around the home of  Doug Witherspoon, a well-dressed man with a black eye patch the role cleverly and hilariously played by the very talented David Thorpe, his eyes drawn in a lecherous way to who we find out is the narrator of the show Esther Mostran-Eyre played by the insanely talented Larrisa Wallington, who not only guides us through the show but doubles up as chief inspector to the nights activities .

At this point it would be easy to give away the plot, but I feel if so, it would spoil it for those who ever get the chance to see it and would spoil the magic of this very special show.

We are introduced to the remaining characters, Colonel Edward Mastership a life long friend od Doug Witherspoon, with military precision, comedy and superb quick wit played by Robert spencer whose voice once again charms us. Through the course of the initial period we also meet Doug’s Wife Dinah Witherspoon, a “girl done well”  who is miss treated by Doug with his love for younger women. This role is played beautifully by the very funny Danielle Cutts, who’s funny portrayal of a girl who has a hidden past to become a woman of wealth within the household.

She is accompanied by the very charismatic dresser and designer employed to accompany and support Dinah in her new life in the form of Rafael Snapper, hilariously played by Ryan Mitchell, who again has a hidden past and a Hidden name! Ryan brings to the role his own special sprinkle of magic with his hilarious accent, elaborate moustache and a great ability to play off the audience. his relationship with the other characters throughout the show is just pure comedy magic.

We also meet Freddie Fusspot the butler to the Weatherspoon household, a bold comic Yorkshire man with a vocabulary full of repeatable statements. Again, superbly played by the brilliant Simon Lewington, who’s bold statements have you in fits of laughter from start to finish, again with a hidden past ! and finally we meet the character Julie Noted, the secretary to Doug Weatherspoon, who hidden love for Doug is brilliantly played with a great Scottish accent by the very talented Georgia Thomas. her love for Doug shines through and again gives a good back story for the show.

The show meanders through various scenes setting the plot, discovering the murder, or Murders! What adds dimension and depth is the inclusion of members of the audience who are invited on stage to take the roles of police officers including police hats  and mini scripts to assist Esther in her investigation of the plot escorted on and off stage by the lovely hostess Alys Raine. This adds hilarious moments and improvision to make the show immersive especially when the whole audience are asked to stand and join in the musical number “like a girl”

This show from start to finish is full of hilarious comedy, superb character acting by all the cast and led throughout by the amazing Larrisa Wallington whose stage presence captivates you through her strong acting and beautiful singing voice from start to the very end .

The show follows seamless set changes and a great use of props and lighting to create the right atmosphere, which is very well controlled by the backstage crew. 

The sound was clear and it was a pleasure to see live musicians on stage.

This show could quite easily tour the country. my congratulations to Pauline Hindle for her director’s debut and Dave Culling whose imaginative professional quality writing this amazing, funny and may I say professional result. well done one and all 

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