Is it a comedy thriller, a traditional British farce or a murder mystery in the grand tradition of whodunits? It is, of course, all of these things.
Above all, it is a great fun and a wonderful way to spend a couple of hours
The plot goes something like this…
The seven key characters find themselves at a gangster’s mansion and pig farm in a quiet corner of Kent on New Year’s Eve.
We learn from the very first scene that there is a killer in the house, but who could it be?
Is it the notorious gangster Jonny “The Cyclops” Durr, his glamorous girlfriend, his trigger-happy sidekick, his elderly confused mum, her very jittery carer, a vicar who is hiding something or the nervous burglar dressed as a clown.
The promos for Murder at Midnight state that it “blends razor-sharp wit with chilling suspense, proving that even the best-laid plans can unravel spectacularly when the wrong people are in the wrong place at exactly the wrong time”.
In many ways it is a traditional British farce, but with a violent and bloody twist.
The stand out performance comes from Susie Blake, who is truly exceptional as Shirley, the slightly batty elderly mother of gangster Jonny “The Cyclops” Durr.
Blake - who will be best known to most for her appearances alongside Victoria Wood and on Coronation Street - imbues Shirley with real depth and impeccable comic timing. She brings a lifetime of experience to a role which drives many of the play’s biggest laughs.
While Blake’s performance may be the one that will stick longest in the memory, there is plenty more to enjoy and admire among the tight cast.
Jason Durr is suitably confident and menacing as the gangland boss Jonny Durr.
Katie McGlynn is full of energy as the ditsy, yet vulnerable Lisa.
Max Bowden balances physical and verbal comedy expertly as undercover cop Paul.
These key characters are ably supported by Callum Balmforth as hapless robber Russell, Iryna Poplavska as the carer Cristina and the marvellous Peter Moreton as Trainwreck, the career criminal with a deep secret.
Murder at Midnight is a gripping murder mystery filled with twists, chilling suspense and wickedly dark humour - guaranteed to keep you guessing until the final stroke of midnight.
Murder at Midnight takes to the Royal stage at 7.30pm every day until Saturday February, 21, with matinee performances at 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday. Tickets, priced from £27, can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or by visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
For more information about the tour visit www.murderplay.com
4. Contributed
Katie McGlynn, Iryna Poplavska and Susie Blake in Murder at Midnight Photo: Submitted