Party to Murder **** 1/2

The season of Marcia Kash and Douglas E. Hughes’ ‘Party to Murder’ unfortunately ended on Saturday 30^th September at the Limelight Theatre, Civic Drive, Wanneroo. This wonderful production was by the Wanneroo Repertory Inc.

It may have been pleasant and warm in the auditorium of this comfortable theatre, but the curtains opened on a cold lounge in a remote American lodge, where a group are in the middle of a séance. A really excellent set and the storm effects convincing.

Charles (Andrew Watson) a great fan of Agatha Christie, had gathered some friends for a ‘detective’ weekend. The idea was to enact plays, discuss writings and solve a mystery with a prize to die for.

In a similar fashion to ‘The ten little Indians’ members of this group of 6 start to die off. Who killed the rich tycoon (Gordon Park)? Was it his model ‘wife’ McKenzie (Karen Tropiano) whom he treated like dirt? Were the two sisters (Alida Chaney and Emma Shaw) really as innocent as they appeared – but then there was the disabled Willy (Allan Morris), who knew the real side of the ogre businessman.

The immediate reaction was to think, yet another revamp of the old story! But no! Thanks to Tony Sims’ competent directing this was something new. When all the red herrings and twists started to appear, thankfully his first-rate cast clearly explained the plot. How often in the past have you got to the end of a ‘whodunit’ and a character has rattled off the explanation in a mutter, and one leaves the theatre confused?

A special congratulation to Emma Shaw whose acting was outstanding.

This was an tremendous murder play, most professionally presented. Well worth the trip to the end of the UBD to see it.