Ardoch Amateur Society stage a murder mystery
After tackling Tom Stoppard’s ‘The Real Inspector Hound’ earlier this year, Ardoch Amateur Society, directed by Mike Boxer, returned to the stage last month for another murder mystery with a twist.
David Tristram’s ‘Ghost Writer’ was served up at Braco Village Hall where the set arrangement and lighting provided a believable and atmospheric backdrop for this impressively professional production.
Much of the cast doubled up as crew for this haunting comedy whodunnit where a sprinkled ectoplasm of Blithe Spirit helped the audience to engage and be entertained further as the story unfolded.
The female lead, Ruby, was played by an able Rebecca Cranston whose excellent comic timing as a ghost was among the highlights of this production.
The wicked but light touches of dialogue, including her deals in the afterlife, demonstrated how well written the play was for those unfamilar with it – and she carried it off exceptionally.
Comic talent was also in the gift of Kenny Hutton who excelled as the camp Alex, while Edward, played by Mike Price, was a suitably engaging widower caught up in the middle.
It is no mean feat to carry off what is a different take on the traditional whodunnit – all the suspects gathered in one place, the elements of the ghostly input into reaching that point, the method in which the perpetrator was unmasked, and the play within a play were brilliant, and rightly drew appreciative applause.
As with other recent AADS productions the standard on show did the cast, crew and the play a justice, carried off in a successful cafe-style arrangement for the audience.
RHD
• Comrie Parish Church is the venue for a Christmas community event on Thursday, December 15.
Between 7pm and 9pm, families are invited along to find out what local youngsters have been getting up to over the past year.
There will be various stalls, mulled wine and home baking and inflatable fun for the more adventurous. A family ticket costs £5.
• The annual Auchingarrich Outdoor Nativity, complete with real animals, takes place this Sunday at 3pm.
All welcome.