Reviews – Murder! In Little Grimley

UK Theatre Network – Chris Hawley

Productions are coming thick and fast at Studio Theatre in Salisbury. This week brought us a gala evening to welcome Christopher Biggins as Studio’s new President at which we were treated to a production of Murder! In Little Grimley by David Tristram. And what a little triumph it was. There’s something quite adorable about an amateur company portraying an amateur company and didn’t they do it well. The Little Grimley series of plays are always fun and this company of talented actors played everything to the hilt. Some lovely, nuanced performances from all the cast and skilfully orchestrated by first time director for Studio, Antonia Harding (certainly one to watch).

Hoping to cash in on the public’s appetite for detective dramas, sardonic chairman of the Little Grimley Amateur Dramatic Society, Gordon, played with insight and aplomb by Kris Hamilton-Brain, attempts to write a whodunit following his recent visit to the local joke shop. But in a bizarre twist of fate he then finds himself enmeshed in a real-life murder mystery and soon becomes murder suspect number one. The four Grimley members (there’s only four!) including diva Margaret, played with a wonderful petulance by Claire Martin, banana munching Bernard deftly played by Simon Haseley and the hapless Joyce beautifully played by George Cotterill, are questioned by the young detective, Sam, played with an uncanny authority by Emilia Fletcher. But, of course, there’s always a twist in the tale.

Comedy at its best is a serious business and the team didn’t put a foot wrong. What a truly joyful production hugely enjoyed by the invited audience. Such a shame the show was only playing for two nights. Let’s hope Studio take on more of The Little Grimley canon and bring us another fabulous evening’s entertainment.

Four Stars

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