Murderous intentions simmer amid this farce

The cast of Bloody Murder, in a scene before the party's first murder.

Bloody Murder
Written by Ed Salsa.
Directed by Pamela Black
Whangarei Theatre company
Riverbank Centre, March 26-29

Who would have thought that Cluedo crossed with an Agatha Christie-style whodunit murder mystery could be such fun and so unpredictable?

Or so funny, with lots of witticisms, puns and amusing put-downs?

In Bloody Murder, Whangarei Theatre Company's limited season production, cantankerous, non-compliant Lady Somerset is performed in classic caricature by Susan Alves - and what a delight she is as the host of the ubiquitous dinner party.

She has six guests who include "The Major" (Bill Flynn) with his predictable Punjabi anecdotes, the Actor (Robert Perham) whose alcoholism has sabotaged his acting days, the Coquette (Helen Morton-Jones) with her deliberate mincing walk, the openly impatient-to-inherit Nephew (Tane Davis), the demure, butter-wouldn't-melt-in-her-mouth Emma (Clair Montgomery), the misfit, Mr Woo (Richard Johnston), and the ever-present and suspiciously attentive maid, Jane (Ruth Coulton).

The set is the formal sitting room of the grand old English country house belonging to Lady Somerset. It seems almost as if the audience has entered the lounge on a Cluedo board.

It is impressively and eminently practical with no moving of furniture and distracting changes between scenes. The rug upon which character after character dies ("character assassinations" is a clever pun uttered at one point in the play), is a much-used prop with its furled and curled corners cleverly flattened repeatedly by the "Major" (or the corporal, or the medic - or have I just given you a clue?) doing his rectangular walk as it is repeatedly returned and re-laid.

The storyline not only has plots, sub-plots and counter-plots, but also has a wide range of humour, which varies from parody and satire, to dead-pan and ironic, to dark gallows humour.

Pamela Black has done an outstanding job as a director, bringing together these enthusiastic eight actors and uniting them in a cohesive performance with perfect timing which makes the humour succeed.

*Bloody Murder, at the Riverbank today and Sat, 7.30pm, with matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2pm. $30, tickets at Whangarei Suit Hire or www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz