WEEKEND MURDER
St. Wilfrid’s Hall was transformed into Langley Manor for the St. Wilfrid’s Players magnificent production of “
Weekend Murder”.
The audience entered into the spirit of the evening with their 1920’s dress and were treated to a first half performance of drama, intrigue and wit!
Harry Bates gave a commanding performance as
Brett Sinclair, a wealthy self made man known for his ruthlessness, leaving a trail of enemies in his wake, but no-one had wanted to murder him before!
Chris Chrystall portrayed the two timing part owner of the hotel
Bertie Bannister, with one eye for his business partner and future wife
Gladys, played by Alyzn Johnson, and the other for
Mary the maid.
Tracey Moreman was the disrespectful
Mary, played with razor sharp wit capable of cutting anyone down to size! Character acting par excellence was provided by Nina Bates in the role of
Sabrina, the over the hill, and under the influence, hotel’s cabaret singer.
Carol Vigor found time to play
Tallulah, in between righting and directing the performance!
Tallulah, a ‘resting’ actress, usually at the cocktail bar, was accompanied by her maid
Grace (Caroline Davis), devoted as much to her hip flask as her mistress! Jerry Davis was
Toby Fairbanks, an actor under contract to
Brett, but with no intention of becoming a ‘yes’ man under his control.
Garry Vigor was typecast as the ‘almost’ French chef,
Pierre Vert, with a very animated moustache that almost stole the show-there was no mention in the credits as to who played the moustache!
Carole Holmes and Delph Archer played
Mrs Harrison and
Mrs Ford, two great friends with an eye for foul play.
The first half ended with the death of Brett, but who did it?
During an interval buffet the audience were invited to play detective and suspicion fell on a number of individuals; -The vicar did it. - It was suicide. - They all did it. - Colonel Mustard, with the lead pipe in the conservatory. The second half revealed
Mrs Harrison and
Mrs Ford’s suspicions, and it seemed all had motive, a few had opportunity and two had the nerve!
Toby and
Mary had been married, but had gone their separate ways. At the hotel they sorted out their differences and
Toby told
Mary of
Brett’s control over him - they each wanted revenge!
Toby attempted to poison
Brett, but failed. Unbeknown to him however, with slight of hand and murderous intent it was
Mary who slipped the poisoned ice cubes into
Brett’s second cocktail, and after being exposed, it was with a final twist in the tail that she to drank to his death - and hers!
Well done and many thanks for a wonderful evening to the cast and the Langley Manor Staff :-
Hotel Manager - Paul Moss
Bar Manager - Jo Moss
Waiting Staff - Emily Moss and James Vigor
Script - Carol Vigor
Set - Cathy Davis
Costumes - Members of the cast
Murder most foul - but where was the Rubber Chicken? Now there's a mystery.
