“Anybody For Murder” by Brian Clemens and Dennis Spooner
Nottingham Theatre Royal

Every year Tabs Productions who perform the Classic Thriller Season include one thriller that is a little more light hearted than the other three, and this is the one for this year. In fact this is more of a farce than any other light-hearted production Tabs have put on at the Nottingham Theatre Royal as far as I can remember.

On a remote Greek Island, a scheming husband, Max Harrington, is set on murder.He is planning to collect his wife Janet’s life insurance, but she just won’t stay dead! He wanted to enjoy life with his girlfriend, Suzy, when old family friends Mary and George arrive on their Greek island with news they are beneficiaries of a huge fortune, and soon everyone is hell bent on murder. The only thing that stands in their way is the presence of a neighbour who knows a thing or two about murder, crime writer Edgar Chambers.

John Goodrum (Max Harrington) practically skips across the stage while trying to do away with Janet; you could almost see the £ signs in his eyes as his mind started to work double-time.In every production John is in, he always brings a sliver of comedy to his performance, so this play is right up John's street as he gets to show off his wonderful comic skills.

Anna Mitcham (Suzy Stevens) also shows another acting side, and again another side of Anna's acting skills in this role, again a lovely comic side is revealed.

Karen Henson (Janet Harrington) makes her only stage performance this season in this play, and what a memorable one. Karen has a natural comedy streak, on and off stage, and that with the character's speech impediment made this a lovely role for Karen, as well as the audience.

David Martin (Edgar Chambers) plays a drunk very well. This surely must be a tribute to his method character acting ability

Susan Earnshaw (Mary Ticklewell), well it's no secret how much I love Susan's work and with Mary, she brings out the bossy, but also very devious and murderous character. The whole physicality of this role lets you know that she is the boss in this relationship

David Gilbrook (George Ticklewell), again lets loose the comic side of his acting repertoire.Under the thumb of Mrs Ticklewell and it's the character's slight bumbles that are well highlighted by David. Like John, he is also a quick thinker and an excellent ad libber when needed, which added even more comedy to this brilliant comedy farce/thriller.

Directed by Karen Henson, so it's guaranteed that it's going to be a wonderful production as she brings out the very best performances from her cast.

The set was designed by Sarah Wynne Kordas and depicted a typical Grecian feel to the apartment, even the exterior backdrop made you feel the warmth of the sun seeping through those patio doors.

Lighting Design is by John Goodrum and Sound Design by David Gilbrook.

The play has Brian Clemens' writing and comedy all the way through it. I'd not seen this play before so knew nothing of the twist at the end. Not your typical thriller but a wonderful farce with a clever script and brilliantly acted.

Every week this year the productions have exceeded the previous week, which believe me is not easy when the quality of Tabs Productions' work is of the high standard we see throughout the Colin McIntyre Thriller Season, year on year.

“Anybody For Murder” is the third play in this years Colin McIntyre’s Thriller Season and is at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 17 August 2019.

Photos by Sarah Wynne Kordas.