A Shot in the Dark is a mix of French comedy and murder mystery adapted by Harry Kurnitz from the play “L’Idiote” by Marcel Achard. We have a victim, the chauffeur who was having an affair with the maid, the principal suspect, both working for an influential and aristocratic banking couple, but who else was having affairs and had motive and opportunity? Only by the end of the play will the crime be solved by the dogged persistence of the Examining Magistrate in a series of twists and turns as more information is slowly revealed.
The play, directed by Jason Spindlow, is set in the Examining Magistrate’s office and opens as the maid Josefa Lantenay, played by the bubbling Ella Rose Titterton, is brought in to be interviewed around the circumstances of the death of her lover Miguel to see if there is sufficient evidence for her to be taken to trial. She was found naked and unconscious, across the bedroom floor from Miguel’s body with the gun that killed him beside her.
The Examining Magistrate, Paul Sevigne, played with great earnestness by Ben Wheeler is rather nervously handling his first case since being promoted from the provinces to Paris. His very ambitious wife Antoinette Sevigne, played by Adityta shows selfish determination, is trying to persuade Paul to agree with whatever his boss wants so they can remain in Paris.
Into the scene comes Paul’s boss Lablache, played by Peter Phan with one thing on his mind, to hurriedly be done with the case by getting a quick confession out of Josefa so as not to upset the wealthy & powerful Beaurevers family at whose home the murder occurred. Josefa turns out to be a very frustrating witness changing her story constantly depending on what she thinks others want to hear. Paul comes to believe Josefa is lying to protect someone else.
From here on the complications increase as we meet the two other main characters. Ben Pobjie dominates with his presence when he is on stage in his role as Benjamin Beaurevers the influential and powerful head of the banking family. His wife is the obnoxious and self centred Dominique Beaurevers, played with great haughtiness and and style by Faith Jessel. Over the second half of the play we learn a great deal more about the goings on in the household and the complicated relationships of the members. Lies trip over lies until finally the truth is revealed and Paul is vindicated for fighting for the truth.
There are some very funny lines and scenes which the actors pulled off well bringing much laughter from the audience. However at times some audience members found the dialogue a little difficult to understand – perhaps just opening night nerves.
The mainly greyish set designed by Abby Bishop worked well to indicate the bleak position of those being interviewed and contrasted well with the brightness, particularly of Josefa’s costume reflecting her character ( costume design Leone Sharp). Lighting design by Sean Clarke and James Winters and sound design by Leone Sharp added authenticity ot the early 1960s era.
For an enjoyable “whodunit” get to Castle Hill Players production which runs till 15 August at Pavilion Theater, Castle Hill Showground.
Photos: Chris Lundie
