© Detling Players 2016
Detling Players
Made with Xara

News Review - Noda

The Farndale Avenue Housing

Estate

Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic

Society

MURDER MYSTERY

Detling Village Hall November 2019

The hilarity started with multiple mishaps and murders at ‘Checkmate Manor,’ where the last Will and Testament of Lord Bishop is about to be read. But who dun it? An open stage depicted a grand manor house room, with a large never opening front door, staircase with a dodgy hand rail, curtained double windows opening into the garden and front of the building, a collapsing flat which was placed upside down, with fire and painting uppermost during much of the action. The room was dressed in random chairs with a small table housing the all-important chess pieces to be either knocked over or disappear and a standard lamp which seemed to have a mind of its own.  There was a wonderful selection of props. Further chaos was cleverly devised by the technical gents giving us dog barks to door knocks, sirens and car screeches to telephone rings, gun shots and wrong lighting cues.  So good when it goes right when it’s wrong,  or do I mean wrong when it’s right!  Character costumes were first rate both elegant and sportive with many quick changes for all the case often causing late entries, askew beards and more chaos also very well timed. The annual fashion show was fun, with the Rocket costume a masterpiece and Butler Pawn aka Mrs Castle the cook, in that fat suit, apron and mobcap, whilst stirring the pot a great moment. Detail to hair style and makeup applied throughout, particularly liking a neat rolled style for Lady B’s lovely daughter Thelma displaying her tiara at all times, the unshaved look and short hair of Sylvia playing the Irish brogued Detective Insp. and trilby well managed, especially during the soft shoe shuffle routine miming duet, plus cane and sparkling top hat ably portrayed by Tina Bargiggia  pairing Clare Pearce as Thelma with good pronunciation and facial expressions. Very good multi-tasking and with a good plum voice was Cathryn Spain. Again, multi-tasking, Rachael Newton made an excellent Butler, Colonel and Cook. The two spinster Aunts, nimbly played by Fran Butler and Sandra Stanley had fun with a wheelchair and I liked their naughty behaviour and their Yorkshire accents.    A splendid bustling Mrs Reece and other cameos including Regine, were ably played by Lesley Phippen who led the talented company through this farce at pace and commenced the proceedings with a wonderful upside-down slide show of The Isle of Man. The only gent in the cast was David Howell who of course is type cast as he was SM and played Gordon Pugh the Guild’s very own SM. Excellent business throughout, timing being critical and I must mention the chair sequence of removing and replacing was particularly slick.  An enjoyable fun evening from the Detling members under the leadership of Trudy Caplen.
Detling Players
©Detling players 2016

News Review - Noda

The Farndale Avenue Housing

Estate

Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic

Society

MURDER MYSTERY

Detling Village Hall November 2019

The hilarity started with multiple mishaps and murders at ‘Checkmate Manor,’ where the last Will and Testament of Lord Bishop is about to be read. But who dun it? An open stage depicted a grand manor house room, with a large never opening front door, staircase with a dodgy hand rail, curtained double windows opening into the garden and front of the building, a collapsing flat which was placed upside down, with fire and painting uppermost during much of the action. The room was dressed in random chairs with a small table housing the all-important chess pieces to be either knocked over or disappear and a standard lamp which seemed to have a mind of its own.  There was a wonderful selection of props. Further chaos was cleverly devised by the technical gents giving us dog barks to door knocks, sirens and car screeches to telephone rings, gun shots and wrong lighting cues.  So good when it goes right when it’s wrong,  or do I mean wrong when it’s right!  Character costumes were first rate both elegant and sportive with many quick changes for all the case often causing late entries, askew beards and more chaos also very well timed. The annual fashion show was fun, with the Rocket costume a masterpiece and Butler Pawn aka Mrs Castle the cook, in that fat suit, apron and mobcap, whilst stirring the pot a great moment. Detail to hair style and makeup applied throughout, particularly liking a neat rolled style for Lady B’s lovely daughter Thelma displaying her tiara at all times, the unshaved look and short hair of Sylvia playing the Irish brogued Detective Insp. and trilby well managed, especially during the soft shoe shuffle routine miming duet, plus cane and sparkling top hat ably portrayed by Tina Bargiggia  pairing Clare Pearce as Thelma with good pronunciation and facial expressions. Very good multi-tasking and with a good plum voice was Cathryn Spain. Again, multi-tasking, Rachael Newton made an excellent Butler, Colonel and Cook. The two spinster Aunts, nimbly played by Fran Butler and Sandra Stanley had fun with a wheelchair and I liked their naughty behaviour and their Yorkshire accents.    A splendid bustling Mrs Reece and other cameos including Regine, were ably played by Lesley Phippen who led the talented company through this farce at pace and commenced the proceedings with a wonderful upside-down slide show of The Isle of Man. The only gent in the cast was David Howell who of course is type cast as he was SM and played Gordon Pugh the Guild’s very own SM. Excellent business throughout, timing being critical and I must mention the chair sequence of removing and replacing was particularly slick.  An enjoyable fun evening from the Detling members under the leadership of Trudy Caplen.