"Caramba's Revenge" by The Watson Players - Drama Group.

Shakespeare House, Derby.

This is my first time seeing anything by The Watson Players and also my first visit to Shakespeare House, both firsts I really hope to be doing again in the future.

I have seen this play, written by William Norfolk, before and it gets funnier the more I see it.

Four elderly ladies have been sharing their lives in Violet's rented house, pooling their pension books and sharing chores. Lottie is writing the latest Great American Detective Novel, in the style of Raymond Chandler. Doris is a bit scatty and is fond of the odd tipple and Marge, the self-appointed master-chef.

After a mugging Violet dies, but Marge, Lottie and Doris omit to tell the authorities and leave Violet's body peacefully in the cemetery. However, Violet's granddaughter, Ronnie, arrives from Australia in search of her relative and soon discovers what has happened and joins the co-operative, and then Rose is introduced to the mix, along with Detective Inspector Grubb who is investigating a murder connected to the property........

Who is Caramba and what are they seeking revenge for? All is made clear as the play progresses.

Liz Woolley plays Lottie, splitting her time between writing and quoting from her latest novel, and chairing the co-operative committee meetings. She is the hand on the rudder of how the co-operative is steered. I've seen the lovely Liz on stage on several occasions, but in this intimate performing space, you get to see Liz really perform, and every facial expression, movement and speech really brings the character closer, and that makes Lottie ever the more comical, and just slightly more unhinged.

Marge is played by Angela Swift, whose role is to rule the co-operative's culinary quarter. Is that "apple pie Granny" façade just that or has she a darker underbelly? All of these ladies bring the comedy to their characters, but there's a shade of danger which materialises through mirth with all of these characters.

Angela Barradell plays Doris. The easiest way to get any secret from Doris is to take her off to the local pub as a couple of rum and blackcurrants will loosen her tongue, making her a danger within the co-operative, especially when Ronnie arrives.

Ronnie is played by Karen Jones, and I must commend the Australian accent which was constant throughout the play. Ronnie fits in well with these older women's plans, but can she sway Grubb away from his investigations with her feminine ways, and why would she want to as she's only been in the country a few days?

Rose is played by Gina Repton, and the last one invited into the co-operative. Rose, as a character, reminds me of Winnie McGoogan from "Mrs Brown's Boys", especially with that brilliant Irish accent.

Ed Watkins plays Detective Inspector Gus Grubb who is assigned to investigate a murder that leads back to the women's home, but when he starts to get a little close to solving the murder mystery, Ronnie decides to get a little closer to him, but why? If you have sunglasses, take them for Gus's second costume!!

Lynn Wyn plays Grace who makes a short but sweet appearance right at the end of the show. Can she be convinced to join the co-operative movement? And if so, who does the inviting and what is their motive?

Directed by Lynne Chambers and assisted by Trevor Chambers, this is such a tight show with a lovely gentle pace. They make sure that these lovable old ladies in the play keep up that image right until the point where the audience are drip fed with the clues that reveal this hilarious story.

So many props in the small (ish) performance space, and I loved the fact that the drinks and food were real. Props thanks to Lynda Wynn and James Ash.

Sound operation is by John Woolley, and there are some lovely sound effects that are very well timed.

Lighting is by Lee Hartshorn, and while there's no dramatics in the lighting department, the fades distinguish the scene changes, keeping the design simple and functional.

The set is just what you'd expect from a frugal and elderly household with a table centre stage, floral adornment, a lovely old radio and a writing dresser. They also made us use our imagination to believe that beyond the black curtain a functional kitchen existed, again thanks to the use of sound effects.

Brilliant age-appropriate costumes, with several changes as well, but my favourite has to be Rose's funeral attire.

What I hadn't noticed when I saw the play last time was the amount of nods to Shakespeare himself within the script, which given the venue here seemed all the more relevant and apt.

This play is an absolute delight, it's extremely funny, well acted and shows that getting older doesn't mean that you have to settle down and wait for God, if these ladies are to be believed, you really can grow old disgracefully, but watch your back and keep off the rum and black as they can cause headaches!! Aye caramba!

An excellent opening night which I am sure will lead to an excellent run this week at Derby.

"Caramba's Revenge" will be at Shakespeare House in Derby until Saturday 22 June.