Review: MIDSOMER MURDERS: THE KILLINGS AT BADGER’S DRIFT, Richmond Theatre - Tour
The next six months sees two much loved TV detective series staged for the first time touring the UK and we caught them both at Richmond towards the start of their long tours. Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift has taken the first ever episode, broadcast in 1997, and lovingly adapted it to the stage, embracing and delighting in the theatricality of the form. Guy Unsworth, who adapted Caroline Graham’s 1987 book for the stage and directs the production, demonstrates a real appreciation of the essence of the stories and characters, and brings it to the stage with wit and clever theatricality.
From the moment we take our seats, we can see the attention to detail and care over the staging. The bucolic setting of Badger’s Drift, five and half miles from Causton, where the police station is, and five miles from Ferne Basset. The quaint picture-perfect cottages are beautifully framed by the pastel-coloured portals and hanging baskets. David Woodhead’s clever and detailed inserts cleverly locate and slickly transition between scenes. Matt Haskins’ lighting effectively defines the locations and creates perfect, attractive settings. Then when the iconic TV theme tune plays, there is a ripple of appreciation and pleasure through the audience, we are won over from the start! Even the programme image of a broken teacup and blood dripping from a Victoria sponge and a knife adds to the creation of the memorable setting.
As with so many of the Midsomer Murders stories, the tale is one of multiple murders, at least a dozen suspects, and infidelity with a sprinkle of kinky sex when Long John Silver visits the Jolly Roger Club. Emily Simpson is murdered after discovering the location of a ghost orchid, and Lucy Bellringer is so disturbed by her unusual behaviour that she goes to the police when the poor lady is found dead and Dr Lessiter declares it was natural causes. The plot does twist and turn but with brilliant comic tongue in cheek wit as the villagers are interviewed. There are delightful moments when tea is served from a squeaky trolley by the gloriously camp undertaker, Dennis,(a la Mrs Overall) when two characters are interviewed played by the same actress in a half and half costume (like a Tommy Cooper sketch) and in the invention of wonderful bird watching Iris Rainbird played as if by Evadne Hinge. The Midsomer Murders fans will be old enough to remember these brilliant comic creations.
In the centre of the confusion is Detective Chief Inspector Barnaby, played here with a calm thoughtful air by Daniel Casey, the original Troy to John Nettle’s TV Barnaby for six years. He glides serenely through the mayhem with James Bradwell replacing him as the slightly dim and naïve Troy. They establish a great double act which eclipses the memory of the originals for the evening and guides us through the fun with a straight bat on the village green. Even in their plot recaps to keep us on track, there are moments of humour as with the set of character gnomes instead of the usuals suspects pictures on the wall!
Unsworth and his cast let rip in the creation of the suspects with everybody doubling up in roles and some cross dressing to add to the silliness. John Dougall stands out with his contrasting roles of the oily and dodgy Doctor, the hilarious meddling Iris Rainbird and the Lord of the Manor, Henry Trace. Each is played with enough seriousness to make them a suspect but enough humour to make them entertaining. Equally Chandrika Chevli has great fun as unfaithful Barbara Lessiter and the game keeper Dickie Whitely, with a touch of Lady Chatterley’s Lover in her story. Nathalie Barclay also creates the delightfully contrasting Judy, the stroppy teenage daughter and Katherine the vivacious social climber. While Rupert Sadler is able to camp it up as Dennis the undertaker and rage as the temperamental artist Michael. It is the juxtaposition of each character by the same performer that adds to the theatrical joy of the evening. Throughout it all, the excellent experience of Julie Legrand shines as three of the more stable characters in the village, the eccentric Lucy Bellringer, the Samaritan Terry and steadfast Phillis who harbours a false belief. They make an outstanding ensemble cast and clearly revel in the cleverness of the script and staging.
This is a refreshingly inventive, silly murder mystery staged with elan and wit that honours the original characters and TV series but embraces the theatricality of its new settings. Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift lifts our sprits and feels like a celebratory reinvention fit for the stage and is certainly capable of another instalment in future years. Fans will enjoy reliving the memory of the original TV series as they tour the UK.
**** Four stars
Reviewed by: Nick Wayne
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift plays at Richmond Theatre until 1 November, with tickets for select touring venues available via the link below…
https://prf.hn/click/camref:1101lj9MS/destination:https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/midsomer-murders-the-killings-at-badgers-drift/
Photo credit: Manuel Harlan