Whodunit? Tune in to Radio Berkshire for new play

WE MIGHT not be able to go to the theatre at the moment, but a local theatre company has devised a simple way of bringing the stage to our homes. Rabble – formerly the Reading Between The Lines Theatre Company – has teamed up with BBC Radio Berkshire to stage a new whodunit.

And it will be broadcast daily in fast-moving chunks from Monday, September 21.

Called Who Killed Alfred Oliver? the play is based on an unsolved murder that took place nearly a century ago.

The titular character was a tobacconist who, in 1929, was found bludgeoned to death in his Cross Street store.

On the same day, the star of the box office smash hit The Monster is spotted near the scene…

Could he have killed Alfred Oliver?

This new original play, recorded under Covid-secure conditions, hjas been written by Beth Flintoff and is brought to life by professional actors including the group’s artistic director Toby Davies.

It’s directed by BBC Radio Berkshire’s assistant editor, Duncan McLarty.

Toby said: “We at RABBLE are delighted to be producing work in these difficult times and we’d like to thank our partners at the BBC as well as Arts Council England, Macbeths Chartered Insurance Brokers and The Head Partnership Solicitors for enabling us to continue.

“Long may culture reign in Reading”

The show’s executive director, Dani Davies, was proud that the show has been made by local people.

“This is a 100% #MadeInRdg production, which is fantastic,” she said.

“We are also delighted to be producing a play that has absolutely nothing to do with contagious viruses.”

The show will be broadcast daily at 10am, from Monday, September 21 on BBC Radio Berkshire, with an omnibus aired on Sunday, September 27, at the same time.