Nursery Town Murders
The suspects: L-R: Jill (Andrea Daly-Dickson), Mr Wolf (Jona Lama), Tom (Jamie Peake), Goldie (Shannon Lee) and Georgie (Daniel O'Hara). Photo by Geoff Manns.
Nursery Town Murders, written by Katie McGee, co-directed by Katie McGee and Barbara Marinakis, presented by The Saints Drama Group at Allesley Village Hall from 15-19 October.
Review by Ann Evans.
Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall,
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall...
Ah! But did he fall - or was he pushed?
And what was humpty doing up there on the wall anyhow?
These are just some of the questions facing the inhabitants of Nursery Town and in particular Chief Inspector Grimm (Peter Daly Dickson) and his trusted Sergeant Rhyme (Jo Locke-Wheaton) brought in to try and solve the attempted murder of Humpty Dumpty – played by Jason Riley.
L-R: Jill (Andrea Daly Dickson), Sergeant Rhyme (Jo Locke Wheaton) and Inspector Grimm (Peter Daly Dickson). Photo courtesy of The Saints.
But this is not the only shocking piece of news awaiting the audience at Allesley Village Hall for the production of this new play written and co-directed by one of their members, Katie McGee. The truth has finally come out surrounding Tom Tom the piper’s son, who we all grew up believing stole a pig and away did run. Finally, we learn that poor innocent Tom (played delightfully by Jamie Peake) was framed by Humpty Dumpty and Georgie Porgy – who thought it one big joke, little realising the consequences that would impact on Tom’s future!
Humpty Dumpty on the wall (Jason Riley) Photo courtesy of The Saints.
Pretty shocking stuff and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Glamorous Little Red (Michelle Williams) has gone into business with the (often ragingly angry) Mr Wolf (Jona Lama) – and a rather shady business it is too! Then there’s Goldie, short for Goldilocks (Shannon Lee) who we might recall as being all sweetness and light when the three bears were around, but the truth is, she has quite an attitude not to mention her temper! Did she lose it and give Humpty that fatal push?
Little Red (Michelle Williams) and Mr Wolf (Jona Lama). Photo by Geoff Manns.
Chief Inspector Grimm has his work cut out, and he regularly shares his thoughts directly with the audience. As he questions each of the six suspects, they all re-live their experiences with Humpty who soon comes out of his shell and reveals himself to be the underhand, manipulative bully that he is. As Inspector Grimm points out, Humpty Dumpty is one very bad egg!
Even the prim and proper Jill (Andrea Daly Dickson) of Jack and Jill fame fall foul to the despicable Humpty Dumpty who discovers their dark secret. Everybody it seems has a motive for murder!
As Humpty Dumpty gets himself deeper into hot water, the anger of all his neighbours rises to the boil. Even his once good pal Georgie Porgy (Daniel O’Hara) can’t forgive Humpty for a certain betrayal. Everyone it seems has a good reason to push him off the wall.
Tom (Jamie Peake) and Humpty Dumpty (Jason Riley). Photo by Geoff Manns.
This is a clever, witty script and coupled with the enthusiastic acting of the talented cast, it creates a brilliant night’s entertainment – which incidentally is NOT for children, despite it being all about nursery rhymes.
Each cast member brings their own quirkiness and personality to their role. I’d be surprised if Jason Riley as Humpty didn’t end up slightly battered and bruised after each suspects shows how they dealt with him on that fateful night. And all credit to him as he goes from being the confident cocky bully to the high-pitched wimp blubbering his way out of trouble. Loved his performance.
Goldie (Shannon Lee) and Georgie (Daniel O'Hara). Photo by Lolly Wilson.
Great stage presence from Michelle Williams as she sashayed in glittery red gown and five-inch heels throughout the entire performance. And a totally different – more imposing presence from Inspector Grimm. A subtle and very funny performance by Jamie Peake as Tom; a gentle police presence from Jo Locke Wheaton as the police sergeant, and brilliantly calm characterisation by Jill (Andrea Daly Dickson).
Little Red (Michelle Williams), Shannon Lee in background. Photo courtesy of The Saints.
Talking to writer Katie McGee and Barbara Marinakis who co-directed the play with Katie after the show, they were delighted at how it had gone: “The Nursery Town Murders actually started as a chapter book,” said Katie, then after teaming up with Barbara it turned into a play. We wanted to create something that was a bit of fun, and when you look at nursery rhyme characters, they’ve nearly all got a dark or criminal past in some way.”
Barbara added, “We had a lot of debate when it came to casting the characters, but you could see some elements of the characters in some of our team! And each of them has worked really hard to bring their characters to life.”
L-R: Barbara Marinakis (co-director) and Katie McGee (Writer and co-Director). Photo by Ann Evans.
Katie also wanted to praise the whole of their team – backstage, front of house and the technical crew. “This technical crew are the youngest we’ve ever had, and have done a great job!”
On the night the Saints ran a raffle and collection to raise money for Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.
And if you’re wondering who did push Humpty Dumpty off the wall, it was….
Sorry, you’ll have to buy a ticket and see for yourself!
The Nursery Town Murders runs until 19 October 2024. Tickets from: https://www.saintsdramacoventry.org/tickets
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