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From the Croydon Advertiser - 6th of April, 2009
Review by Diana Eccleston
- 5 stars
Most of us love a murder mystery: and when it is a spanking new one with an audience interrogation of the suspects before the villain is revealed, the chance to win a prize for your detective abilities and a fish and chip supper in the interval there can be little room for complaint.
In fact this was a smashing evening of entertainment from ATG which everyone heartily enjoyed and which, if they are canny, the company will repeat.
Murder Afloat was written and directed by ATG member Christine Woodhead with, apparently, a different ending for each of its three performances. Clever stuff indeed.
The script was funny, the set – Lord and Lady Malloran's yacht – was excellent and the 1920s costumes bright and breezy.
Best bit for my money was the parade of suspects whom we got the chance to question. Their reactions and quickfire ad-libbed responses were often hilarious and Gary Shaw as the twitty Bertie was an absolute scream.
He played the debt-ridden son of Lord Malloran (bellowing Keith Harper), the nasty blackmailer who gives everyone aboard a motive for doing him in.
Marian Harper was his rather regal wife, indulging in an affair with John Desbottes' stylish and enigmatic butler Styles, whom Malloran has threatened with the sack.
Linda Harris was the snooty, mercenary daughter-in-law Silvia and Ellie Driscoll was the buxom American movie star with a murky past.
Genevieve Coombe played the Cockney maid Agatha whose mother has just died and Gee Rook presided over proceedings with a larger than life verve as resident sleuth Miss Mary Meade.
They made a terrific team of crazy characters and frankly I'd love to see another show like this one. Get writing Ms Woodhead!
Review originally published here.
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