★★★☆☆
The Leicester Drama Societies latest production offers everything you’d expect from a murder mystery: a spooky old house, an eccentric cast of characters, and the tantalising question of whodunnit. With a well-crafted set and a cast that fits their roles perfectly, the result is a thoroughly entertaining evening of amateur theatre.
Alan Ayckbourn’s It Could Be Any One of Us is a comedic take on the whodunit genre, set in a crumbling country house inhabited by the Chalkes—a bickering family of failed artists. Mortimer (Adam Jones) clings to his dreams of musical success, Jocelyn (Karen Gordon) struggles as a writer to finish a book, and Brinton (David Stevens) fumbles through life as a painter. When Mortimer threatens to hand over the family’s inheritance to an outsider, tempers flare, leading to a murder that gives amateur detective Norris Honeywell (Paul Large) his long-awaited chance to crack a real case. Adding an inventive twist, the play features multiple endings, with the possibility of the murderer changing each performance, keeping audiences guessing until the final moments.
Paul Large’s portrayal of Norris was a highlight of the performance, showcasing excellent comedic timing and a knack for physical humour. Large presented Norris as a hapless yet endearing amateur detective, whose misguided enthusiasm for being near a murder kept the audience thoroughly entertained. Adam Jones meanwhile brings a delightfully unlikeable edge to Mortimer, delivering cutting insults to his family at every opportunity while clinging obsessively to his junior composer trophy—a detail that turns sinister as it becomes the murder weapon of the night.
Jocelyn, played by Karen Gordon, brought warmth and wit to the stage. As the evening’s murderer, Gordon balanced sharp comedic moments, a nurturing demeanour, and engaging relationships with the rest of the characters on stage. David Stevens portrays Brinton as a pitiful figure, a man-child in his 40s who is entirely dependent on his siblings. His quirky outbursts and eccentric temper tantrums provided an intriguing take on the role. Rounding out the family dynamic was Amy, played by Steph Allured, who made her debut with the group. Despite Amy’s occasionally puzzling choices in the script, Allured brought an authenticity to the role, ensuring she left an impression.
The plot gains momentum with the arrival of Wendy Windwood (Nikki Favell), a pet shop owner who has apparently been chosen to inherit Mortimer’s estate. The first act is peppered with failed murder attempts—including cut brakes, a collapsing antique cupboard, and a poisoned champagne glass—but it isn’t until the second act that someone finally meets their end. When Mortimer is finally delivered the fatal blow to his head, Norris takes charge of the investigation, while the indifferent police offstage seem more concerned with their lunch. This blasé attitude toward the murder is mirrored by the other characters, who move on from the death of a family member they’ve lived with for decades with surprising ease. Oddly, this lack of sentimentality adds a darkly humorous edge to the play, making it all the more intriguing.
Tristan Knowles' set design is winner for this production, creating a detailed environment complete with a grand piano, a smoking fireplace, and walls adorned with evocative paintings. Stew Wale and Tim Neville’s sound design adds an unsettling touch, using piano riffs to amplify the eerie atmosphere, while Jenny Harding and Martin Scott’s lighting design expertly emphasises the dramatic beats of the story. While my personal disdain for blackouts remains strong, I can appreciate their purpose in this production—though the extended duration occasionally disrupted the otherwise smooth and well-paced flow of the show.
The play was originally written with a unique twist: multiple endings, where the murderer each evening was decided by the drawing of a card. It remains unclear whether the Leicester Drama Society adhered to this tradition. Alan Ayckbourn, a pioneer of character-driven storytelling, brings his signature depth to It Could Be Any One of Us, yet the alternate endings feel like a double-edged sword. While they add novelty, they also detract from the narrative, leaving the plot feeling underdeveloped in favour of detailed character backstories. Nevertheless, the committed performances and thoughtful direction ensure the audience is thoroughly entertained, even if the story occasionally takes a back seat.
It Could Be Any One of Us is performed by the Leicester Drama Society at The Little Theatre, Leicester, until the 25th of January. Who will be the murderer on the night you attend? After all, it really could be any one of them!
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