Review by Jane C, Therese H, Sylvia K and Julie P

Spoof murder mystery by Peter Gordon

Death by Fatal Murder is the first of this year’s Classic Thriller Season at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham. It is an Agatha Christie spoof written by Peter Gordon and published by Josef Weinburger (London) 2006. It is the third play in the Inspector Pratt series.

The drama has all the elements of a classic Christie thriller: a 1940’s country house, a quirky group of house guests and a Scotland Yard detective. In this case the detective is Inspector Pratt who, frankly, makes Inspector Clouseau look restrained. The actor, Mark Pearce, was excellent, using physical comedy and word play to develop the character of the bumbling Inspector.

The humour was full-on and unsubtle, ranging from puerile through slapstick to satire, with constant malapropisms from Pratt throughout. Unfortunately sometimes the sound levels were poor and it could be difficult to hear some of the characters and follow the plot. The second half was good with lots of twists and turns leading to a ridiculously complicated ending. I’m still trying to work out whodunnit!

Overall, the experience was a bit like watching a full-length version of one of Ernie Wise’s plays “wot I wrote”, and for some in our group it was not to their taste. However, if you like the Carry On films you’ll probably enjoy this.