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SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH
Broadstone Players
War Memorial Hall
Broadstone, Poole
May 2004

THE only thing that was wrong with this thoroughly enjoyable production was an on-stage suggestion that it was cold enough for snow, which was more than a tad difficult to swallow when most of us were gasping for air after one of the year’s hottest days so far.
Of course, we weren’t exactly helping ourselves to keep cool during this spoof murder mystery either by laughing long and loud. Thanks to an impressive directorial debut by Gary Paine, the cast’s timing was immaculate and every ounce of comedy, whether visual or verbal, was brought to the fore.
There were lovely performances all round. John Pemble was simply superb as the aptly named Inspector Pratt, who missed clue after clue as Malapropisms littered his every sentence and bodies littered the stage.
Mike Johnson was marvellous too in the dual roles of Colonel Craddock and Cardew Longfellow, as was the ever-excellent Tommy Egerton as Cynthia Maple, and the facial expressions of George Fuller (Count Puchlik), after he had been blown up by a teapot (don’t ask) were an absolute joy. And also making their presence strongly felt in this first-class cast were Verna Long, Sarah Long, Janine Williams, Joanne Guess and Susie Barker.

Linda Kirkman
Courtesy of the Bournemouth Daily Echo


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