The Phoenix Theatre Company did full justice to this comedy whodunnit, which featured an intriguing twist.

Director Dave Eyre assembled an accomplished cast and led them with aplomb — it is difficult to single out individual performances as each actor perfectly defined their character as the plot unfolded.

And this was a play with characters: the ingénue (Joy Plowes capturing the part effortlessly); the juvenile (confidently brought to life by Zack Thornley); the bitter spinster (Carol Butler in fine form); the vamp (seductively portrayed by an excellent Teresa Harper); the unflappable butler (Matt Rigby producing a very watchable performance); the put-upon maid (Janet Leather in a good comedy cameo); and the crooked solicitor (the dependable Derek Darlington).

Leading the cast was Sam Cooper, a very convincing performance (complete with American accent) as author Peter Knight, driving the plot with an equal mix of bewilderment and charm, ably supported by Sharon Holstead as housekeeper Minna.

The set, by Dave Eyre and Steve Butler, was great; costumes, by Edwina Freeman and Wallace Wareham, were ideal; and lighting and sound by Phil Brookes and Chris Norris were to the excellent standard we have come to expect from FLT.

Out of Sight....Out Of Murder was well worth viewing.