St Ann’s Players 24 March - 27 March 2009

St Ann's Players presented their spring production; the spoof comedy, Murdered to Death.

The play is set in the 1930s and the action takes place during a country house weekend. As we are gradually introduced to the characters, it becomes apparent that several possible plots are emerging, with various members of the cast being lined up to be either a corpse or a murderer! Once the dastardly deed has taken place, we meet Constable Thomkins, and Inspector Pratt who more than lives up to his name.

This play marked Tim Keiley's debut as a director and he was fortunate to have the support of a very experienced cast.

Andy McKay, as Inspector Pratt and Ian Mansfield, as Bunting the Butler, stood out in this production but they did have some of the best dialogue and action. They were well supported by Lynda Kent, as Miss Marple and Dave Stopford, as a somewhat young, Colonel Craddock. Peter Dignan, as Pierre, had a consistent french accent and was ably partnered by Joanne Frost, as his girlfriend Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington.

The production was enhanced by stage manager Charles Lees and his team, with a realistic and workable set. The script by Peter Gordon, is clever and funny, but I felt the production did not seem to get as many laughs as it perhaps should have done.

Despite this, the full house found it an enjoyable night out, but sadly due to the church hall refurbishment we will have to wait until Autumn 2009 for the next production.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This was the last production Andy McKay performed in before his untimely death.