Oh my – what a fabulous show! This goes on the ‘special list’ and is very highly recommended.
This is a murder mystery musical comedy, yet these simple four words don’t quite describe the fabulousness of it.
It’s a farce and hilarious but it’s modern so there are is no awkward or outdated humour.
It’s a musical but there is no orchestra; there is only one piano.
It’s a murder mystery with two dead bodies and a room full of suspects; but there are only two actors.
The first scene is the surprise birthday party for Arthur Whitney, a popular author, however things don’t go to plan as he is shot as soon as he enters the front door. The guests in the house are now The Suspects and include the wife, the niece, the psychologist, the ballerina, the old couple, the fire man and the 12-Boy Choir who are only three.
The ‘Detective’ who is the first officer on the scene tries to solve the murder before any other
And that’s all I can tell you about the story, any more details and there will be spoilers. It’s a show where the audience members want future audiences to have the same wonderful experience and therefore we’re not going to give any more information away!
What can I tell you? Remember I said there are only two actors? Elliot Clay plays the Detective and is brilliant, he can act, sing and play the piano, however the star of the show is Lucy Keirl who plays all the suspects. She is incredible. Her characterisations of each suspect is fabulously funny yet delicately subtle. There is no time for minor costume accessories, Lucy uses her whole body to become each suspect and the switch is smooth and quick, especially when the characters are having a conversation between themselves. My favourite is the ballerina with her sultry French accent and ballet poses.
The chemistry between Elliot and Lucy is perfect for a two-actor show and adds to the overall charm of the whole performance. They are both able to ad lib and laugh to make any slip-up part of the story and if there is a moment where they lock eyes trying to stop each other from laughing, the audience joins in too. The play was written by Joe Kinosian and Kellen Blair and between then they wrote the music and the lyrics. It is very well written and with the two amazing actors it is almost the perfect show – funny, engaging, enjoyable and a great whodunnit story too!
Loved it!
Photo Credit: Geraint Lewis