Out of Sight Out of Murder

When we read a book, we often speak of the author’s ability to ‘bring the characters to life’, to feel like they are ‘almost jumping off the pages’. In Out of Sight out of Murder, the latest offering by Tea Tree Players, this premise is very effectively given wings. This murder mystery is very familiar but at the same time, not quite like any other you will see.

Peter Knight (played by Reece Attwood) is an author who has brought himself to an old mansion in Vermont to find inspiration for his latest murder story. The mansion is the scene of a previous murder and this, combined with a sudden electrical storm is seemingly the impetus for the characters in Knight’s story to come alive. The concept that there is a waiting room where characters wait to be ‘employed’ by an author is fresh and interesting and this play delivers an enchanting and amusing take.

TeaTree Players is well known for its comedies and the ability to provide a good night out for its patrons. Theresa (Lilly) Dolman is to be congratulated for assembling a very good cast-some very familiar faces in Adelaide theatre-and having the ability to direct tightly.

Whilst a few lines were stumbled over, the show is on the whole, sharp and well-paced. Corny comedy lines like “he is a dead weight” are delivered beautifully and have the audience guffawing. The play also cleverly gives homage to other murder writers - Christie, Poe, Conan Doyle.

Reece Attwood, playing the author, is new to Adelaide stage and for his first performance in a lead role is to be commended. He plays quite well the somewhat baffled and distressed author trying to hold his characters together, but I felt some more light and shade was needed in his portrayal.

The other more stereotyped characters, familiar to most murder mysteries are cleverly crafted-

The Ingenue (brilliantly played by Stacey Murray). Murray epitomises the ‘wafty’ helplessness of a heroine, playing her with aplomb. She is very watchable and has exactly the right vocal timbre and physicality for the role.

The Character Actor is brought hilariously to life by Stacey Webb - the epitome of every old spinster in Agatha Christie’s plays. Her cynicism and her commentary on what is happening are a joy to watch.

Tina Hall, playing the Vamp, Lydia Dillingham is perfect. Hall has excellent comic timing and her sultry portrayal is extremely entertaining.

A standout performance is that of Damon Hill - a stalwart ‘jack of all trades’ at Tea Tree Players. His dry, unflappable Butler, who delivers some classic one-liners, is so much fun.

A brief and doomed appearance by The Lawyer, who reads the will, is played by Nick Hargreaves, who is also excellent- and not seen long enough to enjoy the talents of this great character actor.

Topping off the classic murder mystery stereotypes are The Maid and The Juvenile, played well by two newcomers Ainsley Goulding as Addie and Tom Gaffney as Dick (yes, there had to be one).

This is not to forget Susie Daniel’s wonderful character Minna, who is not a creation of ‘The Author’, but a very believable housekeeper who helps build the background to the story. Daniel’s accent and characterisation are flawless.

The set design and construction for this play is outstanding - the team of Theresa Dolman and Damon Hill, Robert Andrews and Samuel Creighton have outdone themselves in creating a wonderful old mansion. It is dressed with accurate and thoroughly researched props, by Beth Venning.

The costumes, by Jo Allenby and the Monday Club, are also excellent, aptly capturing the 1920’s era with colour and class. Lighting, by Robert Andrews also deserves a mention. It is very cleverly used to transfer us between the fictitious and real worlds.

This is yet another entertaining offering from Tea Tree Players. Take the drive to immerse yourself in Out of Sight Out of Murder before The Author types “The End” and the curtain falls for the last time.

Shelley Hampton