Writer and Director: Feargus Woods Dunlop
The sort of self-referential, fourth-wall-breaking farce made popular by Patrick Barlow’s adaptation of The 39 Steps and Mischief Theatre’s panoply of successful productions has proved a hit with audiences, so it’s no real surprise to see smaller companies aim for the same market.
New Old Friends Theatre Company’s latest effort in this arena, Crimes on Centre Court, is a comedy whodunnit set in the realm of a tennis competition. And while it occasionally swings and misses, many of its comedic attempts connect and produce the occasional ace.
Sitting in the curious mélange of 1920s, 1930s and 1940s aesthetics so beloved of Agatha Christie kickoffs, the play revolves around the death of Lord Knows, owner of Whombledun tennis club and overseer of its annual invitational tennis tournament. When he is murdered by poisoned strawberries and cream, suspicion falls upon a variety of suspects, from Lord Knows’ foppish son Hugh and chief umpire Owen Owens to any number of culturally stereotypical tennis players.
As private detectives Perry and Penny Pink (New Old Friends’ versions of Tommy and Tuppence) investigate, the character list grows into a length suitable for a Christie-style thriller, albeit played by a cast of four (Ben Thornton, Katriona Brown, Kirsty Cox and Emile Clark). Offstage quick changes are in plentiful supply, while Caitline Abbott’s versatile set combines touring theatre practicality with some ingenious inter-scene repurposing that only occasionally causes lulls with each reset.
While there is an inventive streak running through Feargus Woods Dunlop’s script – particularly in the inventive ways in which the troupe attempts to recreate tennis matches on stage – a sense of repetition sets in early and never really leaves. If the gag rate were consistently high, there would be little problem – especially when the repeated joke is built upon to provide a running gag.
All too often, though, the necessity of trying to deliver a genuine, original whodunnit causes longueurs in the comedy, while not delivering on the mystery elements either. Some suspects’ possible motives are sketchily drawn and not enough clues are given to the audience in advance. As a result, the final explanation (delivered not, as Christie would have it, to the gathered suspects, but with the two detectives having a chat with each other) has to divulge whole reams of information that a true whodunnit would have peppered throughout, or at the very least shown us being collated by the detectives.
This does at least give an act and a half’s worth of concentrating on the comedy aspect rather than the thriller, and here, at least, the play aims to give a creditable service. The gag rate could be higher, or the pace could be tightened to compensate in places, but even with its faults Crimes on Centre Court serves an evening of good fun.
Reviewed on 13 September 2023. Tours until 11 November
The Reviews Hub Score
More comedy than thriller
