Murdered to Death At Nottingham Theatre Royal Review

DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW

Reviewed by Alexander Wilde

Synonymous with Summer and a staple of East Midlands theatre, the acclaimed ‘Colin McIntyre Classic Thriller Season’ returns triumphantly to Nottingham’s Theatre Royal with four fantastic plays. Launching the season is the laugh-out-loud production ‘Murdered to Death,’ brought to the stage by the talented Tabs Productions team. A spoiler free review of opening night follows.

Written by the popular Peter Gordon, the play is the first in the ‘Inspector Pratt Trilogy’. Pratt by name, prat by nature… the bungling Acting-Inspector, baffles and befuddles cases and characters as he bounds around crime scenes. Nicholas Briggs, with John Cleese exuberance, introduces the audience to the inept detective. Nicholas spoofs the sleuth with assured style – his performance is a rib-tickling joy to watch. And his faultless handing of the malapropic dialogue is impressive.

In repertory tradition, actor and writer John Goodrum takes the director’s chair for this first offering, but fans will be delighted to know he is on stage in next week’s ‘Fatal Encounter’.

Set in pre-war 1930’s, the mystery takes place in the Country House of crabby widow Mildred Bagshot (Susan Earnshaw). Mildred resides with her doting niece Dorothy (Juliette Stobel) and less than able aide, Bunting the Butler (David Gilbrook). The trio prepare to host a veritable Cluedo of characters for an enjoyable autumn reunion. Friends old and new are announced: rambling Colonel Charles Craddock (Jeremy Lloyd-Thomas) and his long-suffering ‘old-gal’ Margaret (Sarah Wynne-Kordas); then suave French art dealer Pierre Marceau (David Osmond) and his glamorously stuck-up companion Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington (Hannah Blaikie). As you’d expect, there is also an uninvited guest from the village in the form of Miss Maple (Karen Henson). Who, like her Agatha Christie namesake, but not quite as shrewd, dresses sensibly, busies herself in the proceedings and has an unfortunate history of being embroiled in misdemeanours. As is customary, once the house is filled with suspects and victim(s), murder must follow…

The play perfectly satirizes this ‘oh-so British’ period in which the most popular mysteries are set. The slick writing and excellent delivery stops the characters from becoming predictable parodies that offer no more than a recurring joke. Everyone has their own secrets, shared history and of course motive. From the set-up, the clues and twists abound until the fateful event, by which point you are very much invested and eager to determine whodunit. Usually, you would be aided in your machinations by a veteran investigator, however this is trampled all over by the incompetent Pratt whose conclusions are joyfully wide of the mark. Thank goodness for his more level-headed and astute assistant: Constable Thompkins (Pavan Maru). The back and forth between these two was cracking and hats off to Pavan for keeping a mostly straight-face throughout.

A single, simple Living Room set is used effectively for the play which runs in two acts, with scenes taking place across the fateful afternoon and following morning. The excellent costumes are true to the 1930s period and characters.

My wife and I always see at least one of the Classic Thrillers each year and part of the joy is watching familiar faces tread the boards in different guises. This is a hilarious production than those that I’ve seen in the past and shows the Tabs company always find new ways to surprise you. With incredible versatility, both on and off stage, they never fail to pull you into another mystery and deliver thoroughly convincing performances. The comedic jostling and sparring in this production really highlights how superb the cast chemistry is!

Monty Pythonesque: ‘Murdered to Death’ is the perfect blend of mirth and mystery. An hilarious send-up of which is suitable for the whole family! Will you solve the crime before you die laughing this Summer?

Rating: 4/5

Tickets are fantastic value, starting at £17.00. The theatre is also running a fantastic ‘See all Four Plays’ offer.
On Stage from 7-10 August 2024, for more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/classic-thriller-season-murdered-to-death/ or call the box office on 0115 989 5555
Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall, Theatre Square, Nottingham, NG1 5ND

The splendorous, Victorian Theatre Royal, and neighbouring Royal Concert Hall, stand within a clean, well-lit, and popular area of the city centre which has benefited from extensive regeneration and considered transport links. The Theatre is surrounded by a range of bars, restaurants, and entertainment options for a wonderful night out in the bustling city. Arriving by car, routes to the theatre were well signposted and nearby parking was plentiful.
The main foyer is elegant and spacious, with a recently renovated bar. You are sure of a warm greeting and a great atmosphere. The bars/concession stands are well manned, stocked and of standard prices for theatres. I have sat in both stall and dress circle seats; both are comfortable and provide excellent views of the stage.