If you missed it in Oxford, you can see it in Carterton on 16th & 17th May 2008 as performed by the Acting Community Thingumybogs who raise funds for Save the Children. Visit: www.act-drama.co.uk for more info.
Originally put together for the University drama cuppers, ‘Whodidit’ has now been tweaked and extended for the Turl Street Arts Festival, with great results.
This side-splitting parody is set in a country mansion in 1920’s, and brings together a ridiculous yet recognisable bunch of characters – a handsome husband, his submissive wife and child, her drunk sister, a mad uncle, an old school mate, a police inspector, an invisible professor, a maid, a cook, a gardener, a stable hand and a butler. The set itself is minimal, with almost no props (even the dog is invisible), giving it a slightly ‘improv- comedy’ feel, which works well as an additional comic element.
There is a madman on the loose, who is crushing the victims and leaving childish rhymes on their bodies: ‘Roses are red, the cook is dead’. One by one, the members of the household are being killed as the remaining ones try to figure out who the killer is. There are all sorts of surprise twists at the end and even a double engagement to boot.
The performance is great fun, choc-a-bloc with puns and innuendo (particularly from the inspector), including a rather homoerotic pipe swapping moment with Mr. Darling and Detective Inspector Harry Story. Almost all cast members have a go at playing Shutters the butler and most have dual roles, which is a riot as they switch between them. The all-student cast is generally of high calibre, with superb comic timing and delivery (particularly from Adam St Leger-Honeybone as both the uncle and M. Bonecrusher).
My only real complaint is that it is performed in a small room in Jesus College, which isn’t ideal as it is hard to see from further back (particularly scenes which involved the uncle in the wheelchair), and the only exit door is effectively on the stage.
Overall, it’s silly romp with some sharp wit, and a great way to spend an hour.