Review: Strictly Murder, The Questors Theatre

We can often be surprised to learn unexpected things about people we know, and change our opinion of them.  Strictly Murder is a gripping thriller where new revelations constantly shift the audience’s perspectives on character personalities and motivations.

In April 1939, Europe is gripped by the prospect that events may be building up to a Second World War.  In Provence, France, an English couple living quietly in their remote cottage have more personal concerns.  The rustic Peter (Ed Clements) and more cultured Suzy (Sophie Platts-Martin) are focused on stretching their modest incomes, differing views on their potential marriage, and managing their friendly yet addled neighbour Josef (Tim Pemberton).  Yet Peter’s agitation whenever anyone attempts to discuss his past raises the suspicion that he may not be all he seems; this is seemingly confirmed by unexpected visitors Ross (Anthony Foran) and Miriam (Sarah Morrison).  As the mysteries unfold, there is a chain reaction of attempts to reveal and suppress secrets and truths, creating shifting allegiances and sympathies from Suzy and the audience alike.

Director Quinn Goodliffe and cast fully embrace the many twists and turns of Brian Clemens’s script, and the shifts back and forth on whose version of the truth is to be believed.  Every role either presents hidden motivations or is actively dishonest to another, and the cast masterfully conveys outward charm and understated deceit or menace (often at the same time) to fuel the mystery of just who is to be trusted and what secrets they are carrying.  With so many layers of deceit and uncertainty between the characters, the cast deploy subtle looks and gestures as their suspicions are raised, or relief when they have been deflected.  Once the central mystery is uncovered, a lot of suspense (and a sprinkling of good humour) is also generated by the audience being privy to knowledge that one participant in a conversation is unaware of.

The story unfolds entirely within the couple’s cottage, and this focused location allows for Alex Marker’s set design to be both expansive and full of era-appropriate design details.   There is a well-stocked kitchen area with a stone fireplace, a sideboard with an enviable wine collection, a dining table and a living area with a comfy sofa and a radio.  Impressively, almost all the furniture and props are interacted with as they play a key part in unfolding events or provide places of concealment as more revelations unfold. 

The 30’s setting plays an important function within the narrative, and this production effectively brings the period to life through Martin Choules’s sound design featuring music and radio broadcasts from the era.  Jenny Richardson’s costume design both matches the style of the time and conveys a sense of personality.  Peter and Josef’s rugged workwear suggests a desire to blend in unnoticed within the rural setting. Suzy’s bright, patterned dresses convey her outgoing personality, and formal city-style suits and hats immediately identify Ross and Miriam as outsiders.

This is a very engaging and atmospheric thriller.  The frequent new reveals about specific characters and their pasts lead audiences to continually consider events from new angles and re-evaluate who is a hero or a villain, as all great mysteries should.

Directed by Quinn Goodliffe
Written by Brian Clemens
Lighting Design by Alisdair Graebner
Sound Design by Martin Choules
Costume Design by Jenny Richardson
Set Design by Alex Marker

Strictly Murder plays at The Questors Theatre until Saturday 4 October