The Business of Murder A Killer Mystery at the Studio Theatre - theHumm September 2018
The Business of Murder A Killer Mystery at the Studio Theatre - theHumm September 2018
By — Paul Joyce
As every theatre-goer knows, murder mysteries generally start off with a Bang! and then wend their duplicitous way, via clues and misdirects, to the killer’s doorstep. It’s a comfortable, time-honoured formula.
But don’t get too comfortable…
The Business of Murder, opening on September 6 at Perth’s Studio Theatre, is a murder mystery that, yes, leaves you guessing breathlessly to the end, but does so in an intriguingly unconventional way. Written by the great Richard Harris (not the Guinness-loving Irish actor — the screenwriter famous for A Touch of Frost and The Avengers), this thriller features just three actors. With such a slim cast it’s a safe bet that all three will get their hands dirty in the course of things. But what shape will their infamy take?
Trying to whet an audience’s appetite for a murder mystery is tricky: give too much detail and you betray the plot, too little and you don’t set the hook. Suffice it to say that The Business of Murder is a tantalizing stew comprised of murder, revenge and betrayal, with other delicious bits of intrigue thrown in for spice. The play’s director, Lucas Tennant, who recently helmed the Studio Theatre’s wildly successful production of the thriller The Game’s Afoot, says he’s never seen a plot quite like this one.
“The Business of Murder is a mystery that even the venerable Sherlock Holmes would have had trouble unravelling, or his arch nemesis Moriarty concocting,” says Tennant.”Just when you think you’ve figured it out, one of the characters puts a new puzzle piece on the table. It keeps you guessing, like a riddle you just have to crack, or a great book you can’t put down.”
The setup is deceptively simple: Stone, a grim, humourless man, invites Dee, a young female television playwright, to his flat on the pretence of discussing a script. Once there, she is surprised when Superintendent Hallett, the man with whom she is having an affair, also arrives, but for an entirely different reason. Nothing is as it appears, and as the plot twists and turns, Stone’s motive for convening this baffling assembly is gradually revealed. They are all, it would seem, in the same business: the business of murder.
“Like any good thriller, there are several different facets to this mystery,” adds Tennant. “Your head will spin, but you’ll enjoy the ride!”
Pulling the levers and pushing the buttons are three of the Studio Theatre’s most seasoned actors: Hugh McCulloch (Wait Until Dark, On A First Name Basis, Mousetrap) stars as the enigmatic Mr. Stone; Annie West (Romantic Comedy, Murder by the Book) is screenwriter Dee; and Grey Masson (Old Love, The Cemetery Club, London Suite) plays Inspector Hallett. The play is produced and stage managed by Jane Stott, and the assistant stage manager is newcomer Nicole Terbruge. The set is designed by Reiner Silberhorn and dressed by Rayna Critchley and Annie West. Props are coordinated by Donna Sproule.
The Business of Murder opens at the Studio Theatre on Thursday, September 6 for seven performances, September 6, 7, 8, 14 and 15 at 7:30pm, and September 9 and 16 at 2pm. Advance tickets are $24 at Tickets Please in the Matheson House Museum Visitor Centre (11 Gore St. E., 485–6434, ticketsplease.ca) and at the Studio Theatre box office on show nights. Rush tickets for students with ID are just $10 at the door, subject to availability. Attend opening night and save $5!
With just three characters, you’ll be tempted to think The Business of Murder is an easy puzzle to solve. Of course, you’d be dead wrong. Don’t miss your chance to be turned, twisted, spun and hoodwinked by this refreshingly unconventional, thoroughly intriguing thriller. For full details (but not the solution!) visit studiotheatreperth.com . Remember that season passes are on sale now at Tickets Please in Perth and at the Studio Theatre box office on Saturday mornings between 10 and noon. And the Studio Theatre is now showing first-run movies every month! Check the website for titles, dates and details.
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The Business of Murder A Killer Mystery at the Studio Theatre - theHumm September 2018
By — Paul Joyce
As every theatre-goer knows, murder mysteries generally start off with a Bang! and then wend their duplicitous way, via clues and misdirects, to the killer’s doorstep. It’s a comfortable, time-hono......
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theHumm: The obvious question is, how did you get the name?
Mike McCormick: Well, both McCormick and my middle name Alexander are from my father; Michael I think just sounded nice.
That’s not w......
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Jul 8 Storytime with Heidi at the Maberly Hall
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Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 13 Community "Yart" Sale
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
Jul 18 Multicultural Potluck
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Jul 18 - 27 Bloomfest Garden Art Show & Sale
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- Transform Your Garden with Art From Birdhouses to Bold Sculptures — Find them at Bloomfest!
