Actors have murder in mind
Classic whodunnits will be given a fresh twist when members of Kidderminster Operatic and Dramatic Society tread the boards this month.
The group will present the spoof Murdered To Death, written by Peter Gordon, featuring the best of Agatha Christie traditions at Kidderminster's Rose Theatre.
Audiences are promised plenty of laughs as they watch the drama unfold after the mysterious death of the owner of a country manor house in the 1930s.
Characters include Bunting the butler, an English colonel with a stiff upper lip, a shady French art dealer, a bumbling police inspector and a well-meaning local sleuth who seems to attract murder wherever she goes.
The play, which is described as "the funniest whodunnit Agatha Christie never wrote", will be directed by Pat Scully.
It features a strong cast of society members including Daphne Knight as Miss Marple, Nigel Preece as Police Inspector Pratt assisted by Ian Jones as Constable Tomkins. Charlie Combes is Colonel Craddock, with Chris Jones as his wife, Margaret, while society newcomer Mark Smith plays the shady French art dealer with Jackie Rutland as his "moll" Elizabeth Hartley-Trumpington.
New recruits Frank Bonney and Sharon Westley will be making their stage debuts as Bunting the Butler and Dorothy.
Society business manager Denise Churchett said: "This is a fast moving spoof on an Agatha Christie whodunnit, with a sharp script full of very funny one liners played to maximum effect by this experienced cast under the direction of Pat Scully.
"The society has a well-earned reputation for presenting well acted highly, entertaining productions, and Murdered To Death will continue this tradition. A good night of entertainment is guaranteed."
Tickets for the performances, which run from Wednesday, September 12 until Saturday, September 15, at start at 7.30pm, are available from the box office on 01562 743745.
