The Nottingham Theatre Royal’s ‘Classic Thriller Season’ kicks off with a bang, bringing audiences the hilarious Agatha Christie spoof, ‘Murdered To Death’ by Peter Gordon.
Entering its 37th season, the Classic Thriller Season, from Tabs Productions, continues to thrill and delight with weekly repertory performances ranging from classic whodunits to psychological thrillers. Running from August 6th to August 31st, this year’s lineup includes ‘Murdered To Death’, ‘Fatal Encounter’, ‘Veronica’s Room’, and ‘The Mysterious Mr Love’.
"Murdered to Death" is an absolute must-see for anyone who enjoys detective dramas; this farcical parody is hilariously entertaining. Set in a 1930s country manor house, the play opens with Mildred (Susan Earnshaw), her niece Dorothy (Juliette Stobel), and their eccentric butler Bunting (David Gilbrook) preparing for the arrival of their guests. The stage is set with an atmosphere of intrigue and humour as the characters interact, setting the tone for the evening. The ensemble cast is joined by an unwelcome visitor, Joan Maple (Karen Henson), a nosy neighbour and self-proclaimed bad omen. As the guests settle in, the unexpected happens—Mildred is murdered.
Joan Maple, a delightful parody of Christie’s iconic Miss Marple, remains unfazed by the murder, as calamity seems to follow her wherever she goes. Henson brilliantly portrayed a sense of calm amidst the chaos, drawing the audience into Maple's quirky and naive yet astute demeanour. The humour is relentless, with laughter coming thick and fast, making Maple a standout character in this comedic mystery — especially the moment she explains an extravagant story to the inspector about who she thinks murdered Mildred.
To investigate the murder, the local police force sends in Inspector Pratt, portrayed by Nicolas Briggs. Briggs's over-the-top performance and complete lack of intelligence add a brilliant comedic edge to the show. His ignorance and ineptitude spark a barrage of laughter throughout the performance, although the constant mispronunciation of names and police-related terms did become a bit tiresome after a while. Balancing Pratt's clumsy antics is Constable Thomkins, played by Pavan Maru, whose calm and logical demeanour provides a strong counterpoint. Maru infuses Thomkins with a steady personality, however, the characters only job seems to be bringing the humour back to the plot.
The list of suspects was concise but intriguing. Could it be the rather plain niece Dorothy, who stands to inherit Bagshot House? Or perhaps the outrageous French art dealer Pierre Marceau (David Osmond), recently caught defrauding the victim? There's also the high-society socialite Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington (Hannah Blaikie), who looks down on the family, and the secret lover Colonel Charles Craddock (Jeremy loyd Thomas). Then there's the long-suffering wife, Margaret Craddock (Sarah Wynne Kordas), who knew of the affair. And, of course, we can't forget the age-old question: did the butler do it?
Bunting, the butler, played by David Gilbrook, is another comedic highlight in 'Murdered To Death.' Gilbrook's portrayal of Bunting, constantly lost in his own world, is hilariously precise. Every subtle shift and bewildered glance is expertly timed, eliciting waves of laughter. His physical comedy and impeccable timing make Bunting an unforgettable and amusing part of the production.
Though I don't typically gravitate toward this genre, I'll admit I received these tickets gratis from a friend, I really enjoyed my evening of laughter, and mystery. While the production may lack the polish and grandeur of some Theatre Royal shows, it more than makes up for it with heart and engaging storytelling. At just £17 a ticket, it's a bargain! I’ve paid more for some amateur dramatic performances I've seen this year. The audience was highly responsive, and I thoroughly enjoyed my evening. In fact, I've already booked to see 'Fatal Encounter' next week based on this show's success.
'Murdered To Death' runs at the Theatre Royal Nottingham until Saturday, August 10th. Don't miss it!
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