From the very moment the Grand Theatre comes into view, you just know you are in for a treat. No matter where you sit in this beautiful theatre, you see and hear everything on the stage perfectly. Which meant that it was wonderful setting for this hilarious spoof of an Agatha Christie murder mystery with all its twists and turns, intrigue and double entendre.
We have the hapless detective - Inspector Pratt, by both name and nature - trying to solve a murder, (or is it two...?) in a secluded country house surrounded by a bizarre array of helpers / suspects. There's a secretive hostess, an Italian lothario, a limping Squadron Leader, a mad welsh medium and an over posh Land Girl for poor Pratt to contend with but, luckily, he has the help of "super sleuth" Miss Maple and Constable Thompkins to fall back on as the plot thickens and the jokes flow in this thoroughly enjoyable comedy.
It's a great opportunity to see some well know actors from stage and screen as we have Leslie Grantham - best known from playing Dirty Den in EastEnders - putting on a great Italian accent, Richard Gibson (Herr Flick from Allo Allo" with a what ho! splendid English accent and Katy Manning (Jo Grant in Doctor Who - yes- really...!) putting on all kinds of accents!
You'll recognise Michelle Hardwick from ITV's The Royal and Jessica Barnes and Nicola Weeks from quite a few things... Christopher Elderwood reprises the role of Constable Thompkins that he played so ably in the prequel to this story "Murdered To Death" while David Callister's reprise of Inspector Pratt has you rolling in the aisles as he bungles and bumbles his way through the murder investigation.
We really enjoyed this show and urge you to go and see it.
It is on at the Blackpool Grand Theatre until Saturday 4th June and then touring the country until the end of January - check your local theatre for details!
You can hear a short interview with Leslie Grantham previewing the show by scrolling down to the post below and clicking on the sound icon.
