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Theatre Review
Eleanor Pearson 28 June 2017 Fun and Mishaps at a Not So Typical Country CottageTake an unassuming cottage in the English countryside, and fit it with hidden doors, concealed passageways, and even “a murder room" – “just big enough to hide a body”, and you have the premise for this very silly, but droll spoof of your classic British mystery.
At the outset of Hunters Hill Theatre’s The Murder Room, the scene is set for a 1960s soiree – Aretha Franklin is belting out Respect over the speakers, then one hears the theme music for the iconic Pink Panther movies… yes…there’s a touch of Agatha Christie to this backwoods setting, but it’s about 30 years further down the line.
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The Murder Room
Genevieve Papadopoulos as Susan Hollister
William Burke as Barry Draper and Genevieve Papadopoulos as Susan Hollister
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As the repartee ensues, we aren’t given a pretty picture of the couple. One appears to be a gold-digger, while the other seems, well, either “blind or incorrigibly stupid”. Then things take a sudden turn for the worse. It’s the opening scene, and it looks like that old murder room is about to get some usage…
The fun thing about this Hunters Hill Theatre production is that the team have gone all out on the gadgetry which produces the stage magic of this piece. There is a liquor cabinet with a spring-operated drawer. There is also a chest big enough to allow for the possibility that it may lead down to a secret underground stairway.
Anthea Brown’s fabulous costumes also play a big part in evoking the Swinging Sixties.
But the best thing about this play is the cast of clichéd English whodunit characters: from the bumbling detective (Martin Maling), to the endearing, but impossibly flaky young lovers (Genevieve Papadopoulos and William Burke), to the surprisingly often astute house-help (Maria Karambelas).
Anthea Brown’s fabulous costumes also play a big part in evoking the Swinging Sixties.
But the best thing about this play is the cast of clichéd English whodunit characters: from the bumbling detective (Martin Maling), to the endearing, but impossibly flaky young lovers (Genevieve Papadopoulos and William Burke), to the surprisingly often astute house-help (Maria Karambelas).
You almost don’t need to know why the country cottage is booby-trapped beyond belief. Or what happened to the first Mrs. Hollister. Or why Edgar put so much faith in second wife Mavis, when she’s so clearly a conniving villainess (and who doesn’t love a good villainess?) Or why nobody, except Constable Howard (Anthony Burns) seems to ever suspect foul-play...
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Be aware, as audience members are busy working out exactly how this mystery farce will unravel, playwright Jack Sharkey has already spun a plot so convoluted one may not guess the ending, until it happens. Along the way there’s plenty of slap-stick humour and ham-acting, and no end of dim-witted, but entertaining “good” characters. As is the case with any whodunit worth its salt, half the fun is the getting there. So enjoy the journey! |
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Look out for the interplay between characters, and the not so subtle innuendoes. After all, this is a spoof - anything could happen…
Note. The soundscape of this production was enhanced by the use of microphones. Given the Town Hall performance space was almost full to capacity at the first matinee, this seemed a worthwhile addition.
Note. The soundscape of this production was enhanced by the use of microphones. Given the Town Hall performance space was almost full to capacity at the first matinee, this seemed a worthwhile addition.
The Murder Room plays until 2 July, 2017
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Hunters Hill Theatre
Season: 23 June - 2 July Address: 22 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill, 2110 |
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See the Preview for The Murder Room
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