CASTLE PLAYERS

Castle Players have been in Lytchett Matravers for 50 years presenting a wide array of shows of many genres. This comedy directed by Steve O’Neill is excellent if you are looking for a laugh!

Agatha Crusty And The Village Hall Murders is set in the small rural community of Chortleby and suddenly it seems like someone has begun killing off members of the committee! Detective Inspector Twigg has been brought in to help solve the crime but as the villagers find out, he’s pretty useless. We follow Ms Crusty as she tries to discover what on earth is going on!

The set and lighting is simple but effective showing a village hall where a number of different classes and societies run, managed by their very organised committee chair, Eleanor (Veronica Ryder).

The scene changes are slick, done by the cast and a couple of stage hands, and accompanied by some well chosen music that set the scene of Chortleby village from day to day. The number of lines learnt by the cast is particularly impressive – especially those of Agatha (Nikki Cross) who in the last scene does almost all of the speaking.

Both of the dual characters of Harry and PC Lockett (Mark Lancaster) and Olivia and Oliver (Linsey O’Neill) are standout performances. Mark plays the grumpy caretaker particularly well, changing to the happy copper, and Linsey plays the twin brother and sister fantastically well, switching between man and woman with ease!

The play is extremely funny throughout, but the most hilarious moments have to go to Mandy (Karis England) who brings the panto rehearsals to life!