It’s all going on at Badger’s Drift it would seem. So if you are partial to nosy neighbours, infidelity, al fresco bonking, avid pruning, jealousy, rivalry and oh yes murder, then head to the New Theatre this week because Midsomer Murders is in full flow.
Hilariously, the programme told us that writer Caroline Graham based Midsomer Murders on her village in Suffolk, which raised a few eyebrows in the audience considering the endless bloodshed, blackmail and sexism and we witness.
But once you acclimatise to the pronounced and intended farcicial element to it all, you settle in, sit back and enjoy the entertainment.
What makes it even more comforting is that the former TV Det Sgt Gavin Troy (Daniel Casey) has moved into bigger shoes taking on John Nettle’s Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby role, which feels like a well earned promotion, easing us in nicely.
what at first appears to be a quiet little village soon begins to crumble; adultery, greed, voyeurism, spying and snooping revealing itself bit by bit
Set in supposedly modern times, the cast could have come straight from the 1950s, the Manor House preparing for a wedding, Henry Trace (John Dougall) marrying the much younger Katherine Lacey (Nathalie Barclay). But while the wedding plans continue, trouble is afoot, Mrs Bellringer (yes really) alerting the police to the death of her octogenarian friend who died while searching for a ghost orchid.
And as the bodies begin to mount up, one of the suspects comments: “There’s blood on the begonias”, and what at first appears to be a quiet little village soon begins to crumble; adultery, greed, voyeurism, spying and snooping revealing itself bit by bit.
But hey it’s a murder mystery so what else do you expect, but don’t worry the usual cliches were dropped in, alongside the sandwich spread tea, jelly and cups of tea, the ladies at crochet, keep fit classes or spending sprees, while the men are at work or in the pub ‘except for a couple of Morris dancers.”
Sgt Gavin Troy arrives straight from the drugs squad, but gradually grasps the analytical approach needed to solve a murder in Badgers Drift, no mean feat it would seem
The usual eccentric characters pepper the cast, the agarophic, elderly Iris Rainbird (John Doughall again) and her mummy boy funeral director of a son Dennis (Rupert Sadler), who serve tea and then blackmail their neighbours.
The new Det Sgt Gavin Troy (James Bradwell) arrives all guns blazing straight from the drugs squad, but gradually grasps the more analytical approach needed to solve a murder in Badgers Drift, no mean feat it would seem as Iris and Dennis get axed to death.
Luckily the calm, composed and seemingly unshockable Chief Insp Barnaby guides us all through even the most unlikely scenarios with great presence of mind, keeping the show on the road.
And as the drama mounts, the cast continually multi-roll, swapping wigs, sexes and wheelchairs with increasing alacrity, the audience going on the journey with them, because if you don’t like Midsomer Murders then why are you there?
the cast continually multi-roll, swapping wigs, sexes and wheelchairs with increasing alacrity
The lady sitting next to me had watched every TV episode and as the curtain went up and the drama began she said: ‘I’ve seen this, it’s the pilot episode, I know who did it.” So afterwards we asked if she’d still enjoyed it. “Anyone who likes Midsomer Murders will have a great time. It’s really interesting seeing it on stage in a different setting. I loved it.’
So there you are. It translates well on stage, fans love it and the uninitiated spend a fun evening in the theatre. Let’s hope there are more in the pipeline.
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift runs at New Theatre Oxford until Saturday (May 2) BOOK HERE
