The Murder Room. Spoofy spin on a classic British murder mystery hits the spot!
Photo: Maria Vartanova
Who said murderous scenarios can’t be funny? The bumbling gang in Jack Sharkey’s farcical The Murder Room, mounted with vigour and tongue firmly in cheek at OLT, are downright hilarious as they grapple with being either ill-intentioned but wholly likeable baddies or easily distracted but self-absorbed goodies.
The plot, a spoofy spin on the classic British murder mystery with dashes of meta-theatre in the quick-draw dialogue, is straightforward despite the characters’ facility for turning the simplest event into a three-act drama. The lusty and deceptive Mavis Templeton (Irish O’Brien) decides to bump off her credulous new husband Edgar Hollister (Michael McSheffrey) so she can inherit his money and be with her lover. Suffice to say that things get complicated as others are drawn in including Edgar’s clueless daughter Susan (Maryse Fernandes), her dimbulb Yankee beau Barry Draper (Phillip David Merriman, whose American South accent is confusing), Hollister’s bustling housekeeper Lottie Molloy (Kelly Fuoco), and the tippling Inspector James Crandall (Michael McCarville). Also on hand: the investigatively challenged Constable Abel Howard Andrew (McSheffrey again).
Well-balanced and smartly urged by director Geoff Gruson to play everything just a little over the top, the cast maxes out Sharkey’s crazy storyline, goofy characters and clever repartee. They also make us care just enough about these silly, confused folks that our interest in them never flags.
Agatha Christie would have been tickled pink.
The Murder Room plays at Ottawa Little Theatre until Jan. 30
Tickets/information: 613-233-8948, www.ottawalittletheatre.com
The Murder Room
Directed by Geoff Gruson
Costumes: Susan MacKinlay
Lighting : John Solman
Set design: Paul Gardner
Props: Marie Gibson
Sound: Bradford McKinlay
Cast
Edgar Hollister: Michael McSheffrey
Mavis Templeton: Irish O’Brien
Lottie Molloy: .Kelly Fuoco
Inspector James Crandall: Michael McCarville
Cst. Abel Howard Andrew: Michael McSheffrey
Susan Hollister: Maryse Fernandes
Barry Draper: Phillip David Merriman