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FAHETGDS Murder Mystery, Burley Players, Burley Village Hall.

DURING the course of this hilarious production, in which those redoubtable Farndale Ladies and their stage manager prove once again that acting is not their forte, veteran performer Jeanne Wilde, playing Chairperson Mrs Reece, was required to fall off a chair and to exit the stage with her trousers round her ankles, showing rather more of her person than one might normally expect. That she did both these things, and much more besides, with such skill, aplomb and brilliant timing proved what a fine actress this lady is.
  
And, at the other end of the age range, 15 year old Carly Dawson (Minnie) displayed an assured presence and undoubted talent, as did 17 year old Ali Shutler (Gordon). Both will, I’m sure, more than make their mark in the future.

Every character except Gordon plays several different roles, which these performers did with ease.  Sandy Simpson (Audrey), whose facial expressions were a treat, was extremely funny when, as Doreen, she sewed her embroidery to her dress, and when kitted out as archaeologist Violet, while Janet West (Thelma) was particularly amusing as the tennis playing Daphne, and Veronica Johnstone (Felicity) was wonderfully droll as Pawn, the butler.

And those ‘musical chairs’ were a joy.

Linda Kirkman

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