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Peter Gordon's third comic murder mystery featuring Inspector Pratt, provided first class entertainment in the skilled hands of The Western Players last week. The play was ably directed by Julia Edwards, at the Arts Centre, Swindon.

Ray Thompson designed the set, the guests' sitting room at Bagshot House. The action unfolded in November 1940, when Sqn Ldr Allwright (John Western) was apparently missing in action.

Laura Keogh played Nancy Allwright, who claimed to have inherited the manor from her father, Colonel Craddock.

At Bagshot House, attention focused on the fate of a missing policeman, whose demise was evident in a brief prelude to the play.

A splendid array of characters became embroiled in this wonderful parody of a classic murder mystery. Maria Bowler played Ginny Farquhar, a hearty Land Girl with a fantastic laugh. Anne Newton was brilliant as Joan Maple, the ageing amateur sleuth who harboured a surprising secret.

Karen Evans was magnificent as Blodwyn Morgan, a Welsh medium whose spirit guide was Scottish. Richard Mummery, who posed convincingly as Enzo Garibaldi, was actually an English crook.

Investigation was handled boldly by the incompetent Inspector Pratt, who was played with grave authority by the incomparable Tony Manders. The astute young Constable Thomkins, played by John Fisher, despaired of Pratt, but dared to proffer gentle correction whenever opportunity arose.

Stella Taylor

6:00am Thursday 17th April 2008

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