Many congratulations – et bravo! – to everyone involved in the production of our Autumn drama, Strictly Murder, which was performed to near full audiences from 15th to 18th October. The excellent review by Mike Daman below, captures the twists and tension of the play with great panache, and a small selection of photographs help bring the memory to life.
For this production, we were very pleased to welcome Clive Dow as a new director, and a number of new volunteers who came forward with painting and woodwork skills in particular, (thank you Mia, Sheridan, Phil, Mark and Ben), which was of great assistance to the normal core crew that bring productions to the stage.
“Review: Strictly Murder – Wargrave Theatre
Wargrave Theatre’s latest production delivered a gripping night of theatre with Brian Clemens’ Strictly Murder, thoughtfully directed by Clive Dow. Set in a cluttered, dilapidated cottage in rural Provence on the eve of the Second World War, the play immerses the audience in an atmosphere thick with unease. The distant echo of German propaganda crackles from a temperamental radio, while local gossip hints worryingly at the possibility of invasion. From the outset, the story lures the audience into a web of secrets, false leads, and shifting loyalties that keep us guessing right up to the explosive denouement.
The first to appear is Josef, portrayed by Jasper Holmes with a masterful balance of twitchy nervousness and cryptic mumbling. His presence immediately unsettles, setting the tone for the mystery that follows.
Suzy, a young and hard-working woman played with poise and a compelling emotional range by Tanya Jessop. With her carefully coiffured 1930s hairstyle and refined BBC accent, she captures the innocence and composure of a young Englishwoman abroad.
Peter, Suzy’s partner, is brought chillingly to life by Graham Wheal. His cold, steely demeanour and sudden flashes of violence make him a complex sinister figure. We see him commit murder, and he is particularly menacing when brandishing a large knife as he leads an unsuspecting Josef off stage.
The Ross twins, convincingly played by Mike Watt bring a series of clever plot twists. When Arnold appears in Act 2 the audience are momentarily baffled as he looks exactly like his identical twin brother Frederick, already murdered in the first Act. As the second Act develops and each character’s truth is revealed, Arnold slowly changes from a well-educated English policeman to a knife wielding Nazi bully.
Finally, Superintendent Miller, portrayed by Celia Reinbolt, enters the mix with impeccable timing and polish. Like everyone else in this twisted tale, she is not quite what she seems.
The production’s technical elements were executed with admirable care. Henry Marchant’s detailed set, dressed by Linda Daman and Emma Jane Hughes, evokes the damp charm of a French country cottage, while Simon Calverly’s lighting and Peter Knowles’ sound design bring tone and texture to the drama.
In all, Strictly Murder proved to be an evening of sharp performances, clever misdirection, and atmospheric storytelling — a testament to Wargrave Theatre’s ability to bring complex suspense drama vividly to life.”
Mike Daman
