Whodunnit

By Anthony Shaffer

Directed by Rosemary Bodger

Whodunnit is a comedy thriller set in a traditional country house.

A group of people gather, invited by an insidious blackmailer who tries to exploit each of them in turn. Inevitably the blackmailer is murdered, but as a detective arrives to investigate it become clear that everything we have accepted so far may not be what it seems.

Whodunnit ran in the Garrick main theatre between the 12th and the 15th of April 2006.

Perplexed By Clever Plotting

By Carl Roache

Murder, mystery and suspense were in plentiful supply during a Garrick show that had everyone on the edge of their seat. After a perplexing number of revelations and plot twists, up until the last few minutes, we were all still wondering 'Whodunnit'. The Lichfield Players expertly set the scene for murder. The protagonists gradually arrived in the library of Orcas Champflower Manor deep in the English countryside.

Invited by a mysterious hostess, all of them came hiding dark secrets. David Stonehouse was excellent as the slimy, loathsome Andreas Capidistriou. He enforced his blackmailing racket with detestable efficiency but plenty of humour. Initially he was portrayed as the puppet master with the others merely his marionettes. His tendency to mix up English sayings such as 'stiff upper mouth' and a bit of 'slap and treacle' brought approving laughs from the audience.

The suspense built as it soon became clear everyone had something to hide whether it be perverse sexual encounters or a high-profile theft scandal. Because of this everyone had motive to kill Capidistriou.

But Anthony Shaffer's piece had more turns than a corkscrew. At first, everyone appeared to be a guest, then all but one were revealed as actors pretending to be blackmailed as part of a charade, then they were all actors and the blckmail allegations were based on hidden truths and so on. Thes continual twists and revelations kept the audience guessing.

Tom Rowley was outstanding as the old seadog Rear Admiral Knatchbull Folliat. he growled and grumbled his way through the part, which seemed almost made for him. He was however, less effective when trying to play his 'real' character - an excitable, camp actor. Rachel Buckland put in a solid performance as the snooty Lady Tremurrain and her alter ego, an outspoken American actress.

This was a comedy thriller and Shaffer chose to point fun at the murder mystery genre while employing its best elements to produce an entertaining show. This was clearly evident with Chief Inspector Bowden played by Ian Davies. As the investigating officer, he decided to get into the murder mystery spirit by donning a cape and hat and undertaking a tedious reconstruction, which, as it always does, prompted another murder.

All the action from murders to interrogations to arrest took place in the library. Andrew Bodger's excellent set design enhanced the sinister atmosphere of the room complete with dark wood cabinets, shelving and menacing wall-mounted swords.

Director Rosemary Bodger knitted all the elements together superbly and ensured the show maintained a steady tempo throughout. A few missed lines did not detract from 'Whodunnit',which proved to be an enjoyable and fun evening of entertainment.

Players Provide a Real Winner

by Ann Mayo

The Players came up with a real winner this time - a murder mystery that kept you guessing right to the end. And there were a lot of laughs along the way. Anthony Shaffer's 'Whodunnit' was an ideal piece of drama to show of Lichfield Players' many talents. A great set, designed by Andrew Bodger and dressed by Jim Worralo, the library of a manor house, set the scene for a night of pure entertainment.

I hadn't seen this play before and thoroughly enjoyed the twists and turns of an excellent plot.

Chris Stanley was outstanding as the doddery old butler, who turned out to be an actor - as did the remainder of the characters. Ian Davies was hilarious as the unconventional Inspector playing out his fantasy of a TV detective. And Gina Martin's eccentric archaeologist was a real treat to watch. The whole cast - David Stonehouse, Phil Shaw, Tom Rowley, Rachel Buckland, Charlotte Bodger, Robin Lewitt and Stefan Dufaye - proved that newer members and the more experienced performers could gel beautifully to provide us with what, for me, was one of the Players' best in recent years. Slick direction from Rosemary Bodger.