Agatha Crusty (pronounced Croosty) is a crime novelist. She's also pretty adept at solving crimes. And when her sister-in-law Alice invites her to spend a few days with her in the village of Chortelby, it's not long before she gets caught up in a series of murders which seem directed at members of the All Saints Village Hall committee.
From Toby, the Vicar, and Eleanor, Chair of the committee, to Harry Knott the caretaker and identical twins Olivia and Oliver Truscott-Pratt, there are plenty of suspects. And with an investigating officer as incompetent as D.I. Twigg, there are plenty of laughs as the murders begin to pile up. But, while packed full of wit and very funny scenes, this is also a genuine murder mystery with an ingenious plot which will tax the little grey cells of the audience at the same time!
"It was one of the most enjoyable and funny plays I have had the pleasure to do." Deborah Trevatt, Woodmansterne Operatic and Dramatic.
"This is a play that is going to delight anyone who revels in a traditional comedy/murder with lots of witty lines and funny scenes. But there is also a genuine murder plot and I am sure that audiences will enjoy separating the red herrings from the real clues." Amateur Stage Magazine review December 2013
“We have had more fun with this play than any other we have done.” Leslie Traill, Woolgatherers of Heswall
“One of the most enjoyable parts I ever played... Every time I walk past the wardrobe in Clarbeston Road... I'm sure that wig calls my name!” Rob Owens (played Oliver/Olivia in the original production by Clarbeston Road Players)
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Plot / Synopsis
Agatha Crusty (pronounced Croosty) is a crime novelist. She's also pretty adept at solving crimes. And when her sister-in-law Alice invites her to spend a few days with her in the village of Chortelby, it's not long before she gets caught up in a series of murders which seem directed at members of the All Saints Village Hall committee.
From Toby, the Vicar, and Eleanor, Chair of the committee, to Harry Knott the caretaker and identical twins Olivia and Oliver Truscott-Pratt, there are plenty of suspects. And with an investigating officer as incompetent as D.I. Twigg, there are plenty of laughs as the murders begin to pile up.
But, while packed full of wit and very funny scenes, this is also a genuine murder mystery with an ingenious plot which will tax the little grey cells of the audience at the same time!
Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders has already had more than seventy productions, and hundreds of performances, in the UK, Australia and the US. Without exception, audiences have loved it and the cast and crew too:
“We have had more fun with this play than any other we have done.” Leslie Traill, Woolgatherers of Heswall
“One of the most enjoyable parts I ever played... Every time I walk past the wardrobe in Clarbeston Road... I'm sure that wig calls my name!” Rob Owens (played Oliver/Olivia in the original production by Clarbeston Road Players)
“Fantastic script. A very funny play. Had a problem stopping the cast from laughing.” Ron Smith – Masham Players
“We laughed till we cried during rehearsals. Great fun but now the serious business begins!” Sally Parker WADAMS
“We had fantastic audiences and they loved the play.” David White, St Ambrose Players
Full length comedy. Length: 110 minutes approx. Cast: 4m 6f (or 3m 7f)
Cast
Full length comedy. Length: 110 minutes approx. Cast: 4m 6f (or 3m 7f)
Harry - the village hall caretaker, cynical, worldly-wise, down-to-earth (30s-60s)
Agatha - crime novelist, unassuming, but very smart (30s-60s)
Alice - Agatha's sister-in-law, pleasant, unpretentious (30s-60s)
Olivia - upper-crust, landed gentry type with less land than she'd like (30s-60s)
Eleanor - chair of the hall committee, mother-superior type (30s-50s)
Twigg - Detective Inspector of extraordinary incompetence (30s-50s)
Maisie - cleaner, pleasant but not afraid to call a spade a spade (30s-50s)
Toby - vicar, generally genial and a little naïve, but can be forceful (30s-50s)
PC Lockett - village bobby, cousin to Harry (played by the same actor) (30s-60s)
Isabella - pub landlady, mumsy type with definite pretensions (30s-60s)
Oliver - Olivia's brother, who, except for the hair, looks the same (30s-60s)
Mandy - model, young, streetwise girl (late teens-20s)
NOTE: Harry and PC Lockett can be played by the same actor. Oliver and Olivia should obviously be the same actor - they can be dressed identically, except Olivia has longer hair and Oliver usually sports a gun and some dead animals.