Written by Simon Brett, a writer of whodunits, Murder in
Play is a comedy thriller with the usual oddballs and red herrings. The main
plot device is ‘a play within a play.’ The play opens on the final rehearsals of 'Murder at Priorswell Manor'.
Things are not going well. There is tension on the set. Then
to top it all fiction becomes reality when a leading member of the cast is
murdered, a lethal dose of parquet. It’s a wonderful opportunity for Sophie Lawton
(Gemma Bissix) and Tim Ferner (Dean Gaffney) to play detective. The stage, a
drawing room with all the essential exits, is set for a murder mystery.
There were strong performances all round, however firstly
mention must go to Alison Mead as Renee. She remained superbly stalwart despite
her treatment by her serial philanderer husband and Director, Boris Smolensky
(David Callister). In addition, Katy Manning (Christa D’Amato, Mrs Puttock) and
Richard Tate (Harrison Bracewell, Mr Papadopoulos) showed that both have a
great talent for both verbal and physical comedy. Their entrances, exits, and
subsequent stage play added the necessary comic touch to the drama. If anything,
I thought Katy Manning was underused but I cannot argue with Brett’s script.
That leads me to another point.
There felt in the
final act that there was too much exposition as if desperately trying to fill
in the plot holes. It was often confusing, talking of events that we had not
witnessed. When was Ginette (Poppy Meadows) arrested for the crime? Who is Detective
Inspector Bob Brewer? It felt awkward. It did not have the momentum of the
earlier acts.
Many of the cast were in A Murder Is Announced that toured
earlier this year. That had some of the same faults. Nevertheless, as I said, that
is not the cast or the Director’s fault. Everyone here worked together superbly performing in dual
roles and delivered a great production, even though at times it was baffling,
well to me anyway.
Nevertheless, it was entertaining and an excellent showcase
for the younger actors who are probably more at ease in front of a camera than being
on a stage.
Reviewed at The Haymarket Theatre, Basingstoke part of Anvil Arts for Remotegoat website.
Brought to the stage by Ian Dickens Productions Directed by Ian Dickens
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