Dying with curiosity

Kintbury Players keep the audience guessing as conspiracy abounds

Kintbury Players: Where There's a Will, at Coronation Hall, Kintbury on Friday, November 20 and Saturday, November 21

Before the play started, nibbling the nuts and crisps so thoughtfully provided, we were able to take in the detail of the excellent set of the late Edith Puddiphatt's living room on the open stage before us.

The family returned from the funeral and we had several amusing moments regarding the damp furniture and the cat's incontinence. Very soon there were claims on Edith's fortune and Velma, strongly played by Judith Nye, was quick to produce a copy of the will, stating she was the sole beneficiary.

It materialised that this was not the only will; nearly everyone had another version favouring them as the heir to the fortune. There ensued a number of conspiracies, resulting in falls, a drowning, poisonings and an attempted road accident to gradually kill off the rivals to the inheritance - however, the cast never appeared particularly fazed by the deaths occurring around them.

This play gave us many opportunities for laughter and the cast kept us on our toes, wondering who would be next to die.

The range of characters was diverse, from the delightful Rev Peasegood, played by Chris Trigwell, to Jo Grace's Donna and her fiancé Troy (Daniel Dewey), both complete with face piercings which, if they were not real were very effective.

Ann Singal caused much amusement as Miriam, as she became progressively drunker, and there was a delightful moment when the housekeeper, played by Rosemary Trigwell, noticed the drinks taken from her tray.

Sarah Culver was obviously much younger than the aged Cissie she portrayed and more could have been done with make-up to age her. However, she carried off the old lady characterisation very well. Debbie Spencer as Bella, was determined that her daughter Donna would have her dream wedding and effectively created the strong mother personality contrasted with the fear on finding the dead cat and dying from shock.

When Gerry Heaton as Fordyce rose from the dead we thought the final plot had been revealed but his real poisoning provided a further twist leaving housekeeper Glenista a wealthy woman with Troy in his posing pouch for her entertainment.

With a ploughman's supper in the interval, a happy atmosphere and a very entertaining play, it was a most enjoyable evening.

PETER KEARNS