Back from left, Kevin Wilson, Dick Davis and Michael Dangerfield, front, Jacky Dinkney, Rachel Dangerfield and Lorna Wilson. Picture by Peter Boam.
STAGE REVIEWA STORY of deception and trickery was the latest offering from Curtain Up amateur dramatic society in Anybody for Murder? at Totland Church Hall.
Set in a bright and colourful villa on a remote Greek island, the play tells how Max Harrington, played faultlessly by Kevin Wilson, tries to get his hands on some inheritance money — and he will do anything for it.
Max and his secret lover Suzy Stevens (Rachel Dangerfield) concoct a plot to kill off Max’s wife, Janet, (Lorna Wilson) so they can be together and enjoy the £30,000 insurance money from her death.
We then meet Edgar, played by Michael Dangerfield, who is a wannabe thriller writer and unknowingly gets expert murder advice from Max, not realising that what he is being told is about to be played out.
Long-lost relatives George and Mary Tricklewell, played impressively by Dick Davis and Jacky Pinkney, then arrive, adding another twist to the plot.
The pair, dressed in black and speaking in an assertive manner, reveal that millions of dollars more inheritance money has been left to the family but it has to be shared.
It soon becomes clear that Mary wears the trousers in the marriage, as she orders the easily persuaded George to kill Suzy, believing she is Janet.
What follows is more trickery and deceit, and the cold-blooded murder of Suzy, with Max and the Tricklewells trying to frame each other.
However, the bumbling Edgar walks in carrying the body of Suzy and claims he knows everything and demands a share of the money to keep quiet.
The final twist comes right at the end when Janet wakes up after a long sleep and reveals she knew about the devious plans all along, and drugs the foursome before heading off to claim her millions.
The play had several funny lines which gave a nice balance to the serious nature of the storyline, and the efforts of the cast were rewarded with a rousing response from the audience at the end.
Reporter: jamiew@iwcpmail.co.uk