Review of Hollywood Homicide at the Grove Theatre, Eastbourne
Friday October 25th, 2024
Morlington Murders’ latest production, Hollywood Homicide, proved another outstanding success at The Grove Theatre, Eastbourne, on Friday.
Radley Mason, his wife Holly Mason and Mark Jefferis superbly played a variety of characters to keep us guessing – and laughing – with their comic capers.
Audiences are flocking to see these murder mystery suppers, and Friday’s production was a ‘sell-out’ as are the forthcoming performances of It’s Behind You on December 13th and 20th.
So you had better hurry if you want to join in the fun by booking for Evil Under Bun on November 29th and Mother Goat on January 31st, both at the Grove Theatre.
Radley Mason is also providing some Halloween laughs and frights for youngsters this week as zany character Dr. FrankenSLIME in the Trick or Treat Express – a real steam train – at the Spa Valley Railway in Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday and Thursday (October 30th and 31st). Details are on the Spa Valley railway’s website.
Radley says: “I’m creating a fun, spooky character for children in Dr. FrankenSLIME, a mad scientist obsessed with slime.
“I’ll then be turning into a loveable Father Christmas at the Grove Theatre from November 30th to December 22nd to welcome youngsters to Santa’s Grotto. It will be open from 10 am til 3 pm and children can choose a gift to take home.”
The story, written by Nigel Fairs, is set in the 1930s in Truro where Hollywood heartthrob Brad Allen has been gunned down while filming his latest picture.
His wife, fellow acting star Gloria, swoons in shock, while frantic director Ben Dover resorts to auditioning two extras (members of the audience) as stand-ins.
The murder has a bizarre twist: a chimpanzee, trained to fire a gun, was on set at the time. Did the innocent animal pull the trigger, or is there a far darker explanation?
Irasmus Twiglet, a shady local landlord fresh out of jail, is the prime suspect, but what possible motive could he have?
It’s up to the bumbling Truro police team – detectives Knibblet and Dingle and the resourceful Betty Swallocks – to untangle a twisted tale of jealousy, greed and betrayal.
The supper provided on Friday consisted of ham, cheese, chutney, salad and two buns, followed by a carrot cake or chocolate cake.
It all adds up to a most enjoyable experience which is excellent value for money at £29..50p, including a prize for the table that shows the best sleuthing skills in revealing the murder(s).