This show is the Castle Hill Players’ second production for their 50th anniversary season, and it’s another highly entertaining night at the theatre.
Winner of the 2012 Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allen Poe Awards – Best Play, this is a comedy thriller that intrigues from the opening play within a play scene to the surprising last scene. It’s a wild and funny ride that will grab you from the start to the very last moment.
It is 24th December 1936 and Broadway star William Gillette (Jason Spindlow), admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast-members to his Connecticut castle which he shares with his mother Martha (Elizabeth Gilbert) for a weekend of celebration.
The guests, husband and wife Felix and Madge Geisel (Peter Gizariotis and Elizabeth Chambers), newly married couple Simon Bright (Robert Snars) and Aggie Wheeler (Emily Richardson) are joined by the psychic critic/gossip columnist Daria Chase (Brooke Davidson).
One of the guests is stabbed to death and the festivities in this isolated house of tricks quickly turn dangerous. Then it’s up to Gillette, as he assumes the acting roll of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears.
One however can’t possibly have a who-done-it such as this without an inspector and thus Inspector Goring (Alexandra Ridden) arrives. Of course all the guests have secrets to hide – some in the literal sense which is when the excellent set design comes to the fore.
The cast, under the asture direction of Paul Sztelma, each give their character apt little eccentricities, and work very tightly together to ensure the timing of the action flows smoothly. The costumes, sound and lighting effects heighten their performances.
With this show, it’s time to sit back and enjoy being taken from one plot twist to another.
THE GAMES AFOOT; or HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS is playing the Pavilion Theatre,
Doran Drive, Castle Hill Showground, until Saturday 30th April.