Writer and Director: Guy Unsworth
This classic whodunit leaves audiences laughing and questioning which member of Badger’s Drift’s small, but eccentric community, decided to murder an elderly lady.
First written by Caroline Graham, before becoming the first episode in the popular television series Midsomer Murders, this story had yet to appear on stage. Until now. For the first time ever, in Guy Unsworth’s adaptation, Midsomer Murder appears on stage.
This massive undertaking requires over a dozen different characters and numerous location changes to make the stage fully emerge as the world of Midsomer County. This is not an easy feat, and yet this production is able to move seamlessly from each location with only a few props to transform the stage. From various household interiors, to the police station, to the forest, to inside a vehicle, set & costume designer David Woodhead has the audience visualising themselves in each location, racing alongside the Detectives to find the killer before someone else turns up dead.
Unsworth begins the play showing an elderly woman discovering a rare plant, before witnessing some sort of sexual act. The stage quickly changes from the forest to police station, where Lucy Bellringer (Julie Legrand) demands that Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby (Daniel Casey) and Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy (James Bradwell) investigate the death of Emily Simpson, her best friend. Due to Emily’s advanced age, her manner of death fails to draw attention to anyone but Lucy. After knowing each other for decades, Lucy explains to the detectives that there is something wrong with this death. Barnaby takes Lucy’s claims seriously, and together with his partner, Troy, they meet with the locals and ascertain that this small town contains plenty of secrets.
Casey portrays a strong and stoic Barnaby, who is polite and inquisitive. Fans of the beloved TV show will recognise Casey as having once played Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy. Casey’s portrayal of Barnaby might come across as a bit dull compared to his co-stars, but therein lies the synergy between the actors. Casey’s Barnaby is a detective interested in piecing the facts together. Caroline Graham created this character to be grounded, and Casey does this justice.
Bradwell’s Troy is the perfect foil to Casey’s Barnaby. Highly energetic and looking to prove himself, Bradwell offers many comedic moments. At times, his character often offers his thoughts and feelings regarding certain characters, while Casey’s Barnaby finds the connections and clues only the very best sleuths are capable of achieving.
Unsworth’s production takes the serious topic of murder and layers in much-needed humour. Nearly every scene offers some form of wit from slapstick to sarcasm that gets audiences to chuckle or downright laugh out loud. Most of the humour works, though occasionally some scenes feel out of place. For example, at one point, Barnaby ends up on stage with a group of actors in hazmat suits and one individual dressed as a garden gnome. It is unclear if this is him dreaming or his innermost thoughts turning chaotic, trying to solve the murder. The silly scene serves little purpose.
Though the production focuses greatly on humour, the darker undertones revolving around murder are still very much present. Various times throughout the production, Unsworth uses quick, striking movements to change a humorous setting to a cold and chilling one. For instance, a character, just a few lines prior to drawing laughter from the audience, suddenly fears for their life due to the arrival of an axe-wielding killer shadowed in darkness as the curtain falls.
With a core cast of seven, most of the actors are taking on two or three roles. The number of characters in this production can, at times, feel overwhelming at the beginning of the play. Having to meet each potential suspect and learn their background, alibis, and motives is made easier towards the end of the first act. The two detectives discuss each character as they appear on stage, helping the audience to remember who the suspects are in relation to the victim.
This funny murder mystery, with occasional bleaker undercurrents, is a must-see for fans of the show. Newcomers as well will easily fall in love with the characters and story as they attempt to discover whodunit.
Runs until 1 November and continues to tour
