INSPECTOR Pratt must be the role Keith Edmund was born to play. A couple of years ago he brought tears to the eyes of Ferndown audiences when he threw himself about the stage, shooting his constable in the process, in this comedy’s forerunner, Murdered to Death.
Now Pratt is back, and as incompetent as ever. With people dropping like flies around him, Pratt was in his element, re-enacting the murders and muddling words in a way that made Mrs Malaprop look like a master of the English language. Keith’s performance was a joy, and I spent much of the evening laughing out loud – and wondering why most of the audience was sitting in bemused silence.
A little more response from those watching would really have lifted things no end, because laughter is exactly what this excellently constructed Agatha Christie-type spoof needs to make it work. The characters are beautifully drawn and the story line, which involves exploding teapots and cigars, poisoned drinks, German spies, secret agents and murder weapons galore, is very funny and highly descriptive. And the cast worked hard, with fine performances from everyone – Keith Edmund, Margaret Hollington, Chris Green, Richard Harker, Dawn Hollington, Jenny Sibley, Enid Rothwell, Miranda Ennis and Becky-Beth Cox.

But the audience let them down.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemout Daily Echo