Murder is a Game Christ Church Players

AS co-authors Sloan and Toby Bigelow arrive at a deserted film set location In the middle of nowhere, the scene is set for a weekend of make believe as the game of murder is played out before our eyes. The question is, is it all make believe, or does reality have a part to play?

Christ Church players make a good job of Fred Carmichael’s script as they cleverly overact to foil one another into thinking they know who the murderer is.

Martin Miller delights as he provides a confident portrayal as organiser of the event, ably assisted by wife Sloan who proves to be equally as organised as she creates the mood for each and every scenario the group find themselves in. Janet Balshaw befits this part like a glove to a hand as her strong and often caressing delivery draws you in and has you on the edge of your seat.

Ensuring the plot is in place, Jill Leatherbarrow as Louis Dunston sets the traps for the cast to fall into. It isn’t long before June Ripley, played superbly by Fran Shinks, and Brian Peel as a perfectly pompous Stephen Leech arrive to add their two-penneth into the proceedings, causing more confusion at every turn.

Every mystery has its know it all, and in this case it is the over confident Cora Leech, who plots and schemes wherever she can to add more confusion to identify who is the guilty one. Brenda Griffiths plays this part with aplomb and maintains pace throughout.

Adding a touch of the continental, Geoffrey Pearson gives Nick Ranelli the right amount of Italian swagger as he aims to convince himself that he is the heart throb of the piece, when in reality, he is as clumsy as the rest.

Completing this talented cast, Julie Steele impresses with her performance as BB Mink. Dressed up to the nines, with a different wig for each entrance, she was a cross between Dorian Green and Patsy Stone – very entertaining.

With a few well timed deaths the audience were left wondering who would be next, but as they all made miraculous recoveries and revealed their real characters it soon became clear that the clever plot was put in place to ensure all involved ended up as confused as one another.

Judith Pearson directs a talented cast and it was clear that it was a great team effort and a great night’s entertainment.

Paul Cohen