British playwriting duo Duncan Greenwood and Robert Key’s play MURDER BY THE BOOK, first performed in London in 1982, is the new play to be put on by the Hunters Hill Theatre Company.
The play starts off with mystery writer and book reviewer Selwyn Piper and his secretary Christine finishing work for the day. The play is set in Selwyn’s living room. Selwyn discusses the latest book that he has been given to review which he tells Christine is a very poor effort. Selwyn has a superior attitude and sees himself as a great wordsmith.
Christine leaves, and before we can blink, Selwyn’s wife Imogen comes through the door. They exchange barbs. Imogen is running out of patience. She wants a divorce which Selwyn won’t give him. Things get heated. Imogen pulls out a gun. Selwyn begs her, stop. Imogen pops the gun. Selwyn lies dead on the floor.
This is a smart script. Nothing is as it appears, there are many twists and turns, and the play sees characters trying to outdo each other with their schemes. It is more than a little macabre but done with a light touch.
The play features a cast of five who play their characters well.
Ross Alexander gives his usual assured performance, in a role with plenty of lines, as the witty, urbane, not so endearing Selwyn Piper.
Fabiola9 Pellegrino plays Selwyn’s attractive, demure secretary Christine who holds a secret that comes in to play late in the piece.
Julie Mathers plays Selwyn’s shifty wife Imogen who enjoys going head to head in the wordplay between her and her husband.
Rowdon Waller plays Selwyn’s next door neighbour Peter Fletcher who takes on the role of the resident sleuth which he is nifty at. He is a bit of a bumbling figure, and the only comic character. I felt that the portrayal was a little overblown which I sense is the result of an actor just starting out, and the director being a little heavy handed.
Brian May gives a good performance as John Douglas, Selwyn’s bland natured publisher who is out of his depth in such sharp witted company.
Director Margaret Olive, who describes herself as an actor who directs, and she does it well. Wayne Chee’s living room set is finely detailed and he also covers the lighting design. Cettina Lahiri’s does well looking after the costumes and props. Peter Tucker is the sound designer.
This was an entertaining show with more than enough machinations going on to keep audiences engaged.
Recommended, Duncan Greenwood and Robert King’s MURDER BY THE BOOK is playing the upstairs theatre in Club Ryde until the 15th September 2024.
Performances :
Fri 6 Sept 7.30pm, Sat 7 Sept 2pm and 7.30pm, Sun 1 Sept 2pm
Fri 13 Sept 7.30pm, Sat 14 Sept 2pm and 7.30pm, Sum 15 Sept 2pm
