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Better still, head to the Theatre Royal, Newcastle, this week to see how international bestselling author Peter James does it. The play ran for around an hour and a half and there was no interval. Between each section of the play the theatre was plunged into semi darkness as the curtain was pulled down with haunting lighting making it even more atmospheric and setting the scene for more intrigue and mystery. The play stars Shane Ritchie and Jessie Wallace, two fine actors who have a wonderful, if not troublesome, rapport on stage as an unhappily married couple, Victor and Joan Smiley.
Murder at the Theatre Royale By Ada Moncrieff |The Works
The mystery itself is quite compelling and gains momentum the more you read. All loose ends are tied up in the denouement and, although perhaps not predictable from the evidence given (this is one of those revelations where the detective reveals information that you didn't previously have), the explanation for who committed the murders and how is satisfying and uses a considerable amount of seemingly 'inconsequential' information from earlier on. As with some of the best mysteries, the culprit's motives are understandable and I couldn't help but feel sorry for a person who has been driven to such actions to 'put things right'.From November 2 to 6, York Opera will present The Magic Flute , Mozart’s magical and last great opera, sung in English with an orchestra. Laura White until recently played the regular role of Dr Princess Buchanan on BBC 1’s Doctors . Other TV credits include Aysha in Silent Witness . Film credits include Gladys in The Colour Room about the famous potter Clarice Cliff. Her theatre credits include Nats/Ms Almi in Home Girl (Derby Theatre), Sandra in The Play That Goes Wrong (UK Tour), Sarah in the immersive promenade show C-O-N-T-A-C-T (London) and The Play That Goes Wrong (West End). I was excited to read this book - I enjoy a good cosy crime and love 'period' stories. The cover is also very good and the title straight forward and telling it as it is. And I was not disappointed with the plot. There were several red herrings and plot twists and the story has a feisty female lead who has something to prove and her work cut out to get things right.
Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff | Goodreads
Crimes on Centre Court is a delight from start to finish! Fast and smart as a Cary Grant punchline, this talented team are genuinely funny. Filled with Old school pleasures and fresh foolishness, this is the perfect mix of silly and skilled. It is simply, and impressively, a great night out!” – Emma RiceThe book has all the hallmarks of an excellent story. The theatre world in particular, lends itself to colourful characters, secrets and intrigue. I was also drawn to the beautiful book cover and the fact it was labelled “A Christmas Mystery”, looking forward to a seasonal escape from reality. Praise for Murder Most Festive) If you're a fan of historical mysteries, then Murder Most Festive should be at the top of your to-read list Cultured Vultures Excerpt from File: Treason- attempted murder of king in Drury Lane Theatre; James Hadfield - File Ref: KB 33/8/3
Murder at the Theatre Royale Review Murder at the Theatre Royale Review
Midsomer Murders came to mind as I finished this book. Everything is well explained to the assembled cast at the denouement but really, anyone could have dunit and the revelations are all somewhat far-fetched. But none of that seems to matter. It's Christmas and entertainment needs to be jolly and undemanding, especially if it can be a little bit bloodthirsty too! Daphne has aspirations to be a crime reporter and fancies herself as an amateur detective. And this is one of the curious aspects of this book. It seems that Daphne is already rather good friends with Inspector Marklow who leads the ensuing murder investigation. It is apparent that she has already had some success as an amateur sleuth, so I assumed that Daphne features in Ada Moncrieff's previous Christmas mystery, but this doesn't seem to be the case at all.To complete the line-up is Joan’s extra-marital partner Don, a hilarious character played by Stephen Fletcher. Murder at the Theatre Royale by Ada Moncrieff belongs to a genre I have only recently become aware of – variously described as cosy crime, cosy mysteries and in this case cosy Christmas crime! Did General Tilney murder his wife? Why did Catherine turn down her suitor? And what exactly has happened to John Thorpe? All the clues will be there to catch the killer, but will they be successfully deduced...? Andrew Ryan who directs is a veteran of 31 pantos and brings out all the humour of the play without sacrificing tension.
Theatre The Mousetrap | Norwich Theatre
After crashing his car in a lonely country lane, former pop star Danny (Tom Chambers) finds himself—and his extended family—spending New Year’s Eve in an isolated holiday cottage deep in the English countryside. Also in attendance are the wife and son he abandoned to pursue his musical career, Rebecca (Rebecca Charles) and Jake (Jonny Green), his resentful older brother, William (Owen Oakeshott), and his age-inappropriate girlfriend, Sarah (Laura White). Joining the previously announced Tom Chambers as Danny will be Susie Blake as Mrs Bateman, Rebecca Charles as Rebecca, Jonny Green as Jake, Owen Oakeshott as William and Laura White as Sarah. Crimes on Centre Court, based on a story from the award winning podcast (#2 in iTunes fiction chart), toured to great acclaim in 2021 and is an ace of a show which you’re sure to (fifteen) love. This deucey treat will rally the spirits and leave you wanting a second serve-ing of the volley of gags and visual delights. You won’t see it game set and matched anywhere else. New Old Friends have built a national reputation with their wildly inventive set pieces, twisty plots and commitment to unadulterated entertainment.The play is very cleverly and wittily performed by the experienced and talented cast members, also joined by Anna Mitcham who plays the playwrights’ glamorous secretary, Jill Prentice and Detective Inspector Berry, who is a huge thriller fan played by Jeremy Lloyd Thomas. No spoilers here but the flipside of this dark comedy is the fallout from murder and the subsequent investigation. There were shrieks of fear at times as the drama unfolded.
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