Review: Murdered to Death, Lymington Players
SET in a country manor house in 1939, Murdered to Death presented by Lymington Players was full of intrigue and, of course, murder.
This Agatha Christie spoof, written by Peter Gordon and first published in 1993, contains all the ‘usual suspects’.
Ruth Alinek, in her first role with the Players, was Mildred, the haughty lady of the manor with a possibly dubious past, who has taken in her orphaned put-upon niece/housekeeper, Dorothy, admirably played by Rachel Mackay. Jim Lockwood was a delight as the butler Bunting, whose sardonic, off-hand delivery superbly suited the role. He gradually becomes more and more inebriated, drinking Mildred’s best sherry.
Ruth Holleley epitomised the local busybody and enthusiastic would-be sleuth, Joan Maple, who can’t understand why murders keep following her around. Gary Mills was good fun as the bumbling Col. Craddock who has had an affair with Mildred in the past but now is terrified by her ardent advances. Kim Walker played his superbly acerbic wife, Margaret. Two other guests join the party: newcomer Rosie Hodgkinson was the ‘posh’ Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington and Marcus Campbell, with a brilliant accent, was engaging ‘French’ art dealer, Pierre Marceau. However, all is not as it seems and they turn out to be London crooks.
Sadly Mildred is shot dead and the police called. Enter, to my mind, the star of the show, Chris March as the hilariously incompetent (and notorious bad shot) Inspector (or is it Sergeant?) Pratt. His smooth delivery of a complex jumbled dialogue full of spoonerisms was a joy. He accuses everyone of the crime but is brought back to earth by newcomer Peter Cutler as long-suffering level-headed Constable Thompkins.
I will not divulge any more in case anyone gets the chance to see this whodunnit in the future but this terrific production brilliantly directed by Catherine Hall with suitable music between the scenes was a celebration of murder, mystery and comedy; a splendid night of theatre!
Alison Smith
• Lymington Players would like to share that the reviewer saw the production with Marcus Campbell playing the role of Pierre Marceau. However, towards the end of the run Marcus sadly passed away. Despite the devastating loss, it was the wish of Marcus‘s family that the production continued. On the Saturday night with heavy hearts, the cast delivered a first-class performance in Marcus’s memory. We extend our deepest condolences to Marcus’s family and friends. His talent and kindness will be clearly missed by all who knew him.
