Midsomer Murders: The Killings At Badger’s Drift, Sheffield Lyceum Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Joy Wright
Caroline Graham’s The Killings at Badgers Drift arrived at the Sheffield Lyceum this week and while “cosy mystery” is now its own popular genre, there’s something rather pleasing about being reminded that Graham was doing all this before the label existed. You can see the foundations of what eventually became Midsomer Murders on television, the oddball villages, the eccentric neighbours, the sense that death is quietly inconvenient rather than traumatising, but the stage play keeps it rooted in that slightly older, pre-mobile-phone era where everyone still has to actually talk to each other to get anything done.
The production leans into that charm without ever feeling creaky. It’s set firmly in the 80s, complete with the fashion, the décor and the complete absence of anyone whipping out a smartphone. It’s quite nice to revisit that sort of slow reveal storyline where the path is ever twisting with new information. It forces the pace to come from the characters and their interactions rather than quick plot shortcuts.
Daniel Casey is an excellent Barnaby, measured, dry, and with that slight air of someone who knows he’s surrounded by oddities and perhaps no longer really notices. He is almost always on stage, working throughout the production without overshadowing the rest of the cast and he sustains his performance and character even when he’s just quietly observing the chaos around him. There’s no attempt to imitate John Nettles, it’s very much Casey’s Barnaby.
Chandrika Chevil deserves a special mention for her dual roles, which I won’t spoil in any detail because the reveal is genuinely one of the funniest moments of the evening. What I can say is that this itself becomes part of the joke. It’s silly, deliberate and done with such commitment that the laughter settled into one of those warm, appreciative ripples you get when everyone realises they’re in on something intentionally daft.
It’s not slapstick, but the humour is woven right through the script. Graham’s writing has always had that slightly wicked edge, characters who take themselves far too seriously, or who are blissfully unaware of how bizarre they sound, and the staging leans into that without ever going over the top. The audience, mostly over-50s from what I could see, laughed frequently and genuinely. That’s always a good sign. Cosy mystery doesn’t need to be reinvented, it just needs to be delivered with confidence and a wink, and that’s exactly what this production does.
The set deserves a mention too. Without giving anything away, it manages to be both practical and playful, shifting in ways that support the mystery and provide a few visual surprises. It’s one of those designs that looks simple at first glance but reveals its cleverness as the story moves on. It works incredibly well.
If there’s anything to be cautious about, it’s simply that some of the themes are definitely too much for younger children. I’d say 12+ is about right. Nothing much that’s graphic, but there are a few concepts that aren’t really suitable for the younger audience members, so parents should be aware.
Overall, The Killings at Badgers Drift is exactly what you want from a stage version of a classic crime story, familiar, funny, a bit nostalgic, and performed with enough charm that you understand immediately why Graham’s work has endured for decades. It’s touring at the moment and worth catching if it passes through your local theatre, it’s a mostly fun and light hearted production, despite the murder and other themes.
The show runs until 29th November and you can book online here, by phone 0114 249 6000 or at the box office. Tickets range from £15.00 to £47.50.
Rating: 5/5
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/midsomer-murders?