Murder by the Book

Masochism – “gratification gained from pain, deprivation, degradation, etc., inflicted or imposed on oneself, either as a result of one's own actions or the actions of others, especially the tendency to seek this form of gratification.”

Tea Tree Players latest production Murder by the Book opens to the iconic strains of Tom Lehrer’s ‘Masochism Tango’, an excellent choice considering the subject material - murder and intrigue.

As the curtain rises, mystery writer Selwyn Piper (Benjamin Forster) is about to be murdered by his wife, volatile actress Imogen (Enya Shay), whom he refuses to divorce. But Selwyn’s publisher John (Tim Cousins), now Imogen’s lover, has a few surprises in store for her. Imogen has a few in store for him, and Selwyn has many in store for them both. Add to that, Selwyn’s secretary (Veronica D’Angelo) and the nosy next-door neighbour (Paul Pacillo), and you have the recipe for a murder mystery with no Agatha Christie in sight!

Directors Ashlee Brown and Mike Phillips have assembled a cast of TTP favourites, and some fresh faces to present a murder mystery with more than its share of comic one liners. The play is wordy, but Brown and Phillips have kept the dialogue moving at a rapid pace and have made excellent use of the acting space.

The set, designed by Mike Phillips, is a symphony of cream dominated by a 3-seater coach. The artwork featuring a full-sized portrait of Humphrey Bogart looking strangely vampiric is particularly impressive as is the music played in act 2 (‘Moonlight Serenade’ by Glenn Miller and ‘They Can’t Take That Away From Me’ by George Gershwin).

Damon Hill’s scenic art and Beth Venning’s props are true to the period, particularly the alcohol bottles on the bar which are well used during production. In fact, Selwyn and John Douglas seem to drink like ‘fishes’.

The costumes by Jo Allenby and The Monday Club are both elegant and functional. Imogen’s ‘disguise’ in Act 1 is well handled, resulting in her looking nothing like her real character.

Benjamin Forster gives us a Noël Coward interpretation of Selwyn Piper, flamboyant, flippant and egocentric, dropping lines that drip acid - “Imogen was the best Lady Macbeth I ever saw,” he says, “unfortunately she was playing Juliet at the time”, and “You have two things in common with the Mona Lisa, you’re beautiful and you’re framed!” Personally, I would lose the pipe, it doesn’t quite work.

Veronica D’Angelo’s Christine is torn between her devotion to Selwyn’s books and Selwyn himself. She harbors a secret that is not revealed until the second act which I will not give away here.

Enya Shay plays Imogen with sophistication and quiet menace. She is believable as a potential murderer. I particularly enjoyed her ‘twist’ at the conclusion of the play.

Paul Pacillo gives a well-balanced performance as Peter Fletcher. He too harbors secrets which are revealed in act 2. His comic timing is outstanding and is his out-sleuthing the sleuth scenes keep the play moving at a rapid rate.

Tim Cousins’ John Douglas (Selwyn’s publisher) is bombastic, flashy, and totally out of his depth in planning or executing a murder. His act 2 scenes when ‘caught out’ are hysterical

and remind me of a politician when faced with telling the truth.

There were some line uncertainties on opening night, but these should disappear as the season continues. A little more malice in the scenes with the gun and pill bottle would help to build the tension in both acts.

Murder by the Book has more twists and turns than the Hampton Court Palace Maze and is sure to please any lover of murder mysteries and anyone who enjoys being an amateur sleuth or having a good laugh, or both!

Barry Hill OAM

As well as being a regular Stage Whispers reviewer, Barry Hill is a committee member of Tea Tree Players