Misunderstanding a murder
JUDITH Herbig is no newcomer to the drama scene and is hard at work in rehearsal for the upcoming Let’s Murder Marsha, which opens this weekend at the Milnerton Playhouse. This is the fourth play Herbig has directed for the theatre, which is frequently in the spotlight for its award-winning productions.
Herbig studied drama at the University of Pretoria and worked for Capab before launching her teaching career in drama. She works at Cannon’s Creek private school in Pinelands, where she guides pupils from Grade 7 to matric.
The side-splitting murder-thriller produced by Milnerton Players was written by Monk Ferris and is a real comedy of errors.
Herbig said she decided to stage it as a fast-paced drama because she believed it would appeal to a wide audience.
It all revolves around Marsha Gilmore, played by Alida van Niekerk, who is portrayed as having an ideal life married to millionaire Tobias Gilmor (Lee Speechly) who lovingly indulges her every whim.
The problem is Marsha is also hopelessly addicted to reading murder mysteries, which her husband hates.
So when Marsha overhears her husband discussing her forthcoming birthday surprise with Persis Devore (Petra Schiebe) an interior decorator, she mistakenly believes they are planning to murder her.
And, as an ardent follower of murder mysteries, she plots her own action. With the help of her rather nerdy nextdoor neighbour, Virgil Baxter (Gawie Smit), she tries to turn the tables on them with a poisoned potion.
It all starts to go terribly awry when her mother, Lynette Thoren (played by Beryl Eichenberger), shows up for her birthday a day early and Marsha thinks she is in on the diabolical scheme.
Add to the equation that her cheeky French maid, Bianca (Tania Lemme) is about to go out on a date with her policeman boyfriend Ben Quade (Gareth Grey) and when he appears, Marsha thinks he is on to her poisoning attempt.
Herbig says she searched intensively for a production that offered something unusual but was also broadly accessible.
“I love comedies and when I read the script I loved the idea of a woman who basically misunderstands the surprise her husband is planning. There is lots of action on stage – people going in and out of the family’s home.
“I personally don’t enjoy plays which focus on people talking all the time and so this really met the bill for me.”
Herbig said the drama is sustained as the audience keeps wondering when Marsha is going to find out it’s not a murder plot.
“Assumptions and confusion reign with such funny consequences and this is such a terrific show for family audiences who like their comedy broad, fast and nonstop. It’s also ‘clean’ with no bad blood, no violence and no sex.
“And even though it’s so icy cold outside there’s a lovely warm enticing atmosphere inside the playhouse.”
Let’s Murder Marsha is at the Milnerton Playhouse in Pienaar Road, Milnerton, from today until August 12 at 8pm, with matinees at 2.30pm on Saturdays. Tickets: R90 evening, R80 matinee and member concessions. For booking call 082 267 1061 or email: bookings@ milnertonplayers.com.