Rehearsals are well under way at Dumfries’ Theatre Royal for the much-awaited ‘cozy crime’ mystery production of Agatha Crusty and The Village Hall Murders by Derek Webb.
It hits the stage of Scotland’s oldest working theatre on Wednesday, October 9, with a run of performances through to Saturday, October 12 – and tickets are selling fast.
Promising plenty of laughs and a whodunnit conundrum as the murders pile up, it is being directed by Rachel Reekie who said her fellow members of the theatre’s Guild of Players are looking forward to sharing it with audiences next month.
She said: “The cast are all amazing and working so hard. It’ll be a good night for sure.”
Lorelei Lynn is assistant director for the murder-meets-comedy production which has been described as “a witty and thrilling murder mystery that will keep audiences both laughing and guessing until the final scene”.
Rachel added: “Despite its comedic tone, Agatha Crusty and The Village Hall Murders delivers a genuine murder mystery that will challenge even the sharpest minds in the audience.
“Audiences can expect an evening filled with laughter, suspense, and a series of clever plot twists that will keep them entertained from start to finish.”
The play has entertained audiences around the world, with more than 95 productions of it already staged across the UK, Australia, and the US.
But this is the chance for local theatregoers to experience the hilarious and ingenious plot which is being given the The Guild of Players stamp on it by a talented cast of local actors.
They include: Dave Ford as Harry, the village hall caretaker; Jo Cooper as Agatha Crusty, the sharp-witted crime novelist; – Linda Dickie as Alice, Agatha’s sister-in-law; Joady Earle as Olivia, an aristocratic figure; Sharron Harper as Eleanor, the chairperson of the Village Hall Committee; Scott Cooper as D.I. Twigg, the bumbling detective; Fiona Jones as Maise, the village hall cleaner; Jordan Kingstree as Toby, the local vicar; Al Gonnella as PC Lockett, the village bobby; Lara Anderson as Isabella, the pub landlady; Joe La Deary as Oliver, Olivia’s twin brother; Heather McKean as Mandy, a streetwise young woman.
As well, of course, as the talented team of production, wardrobe and make up, lighting and backstage crew – who help make it all possible.
The story follows Agatha Crusty (pronounced ‘Croosty’) – a famous crime novelist with a knack for solving real-life mysteries.
When Agatha visits her sister-in-law Alice in the quiet village of Chortelby, she quickly becomes embroiled in a series of murders targeting the members of the All-Saints Village Hall Committee.
From the hapless Detective Inspector Twigg to a colourful array of suspects – ranging from the vicar Toby to upper-crust siblings Olivia and Oliver Truscott-Pratt – the play promises non-stop laughs alongside a cleverly constructed mystery that will keep the audience on their toes.
• For tickets – £15 adults, £12 concessions, GOP members £10 – and show times see online at theatreroyaldumfries.co.uk or contact the box office at 01387 254209.