Cattistock Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS)
Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders
by Derek Webb
An Amateur Production by Arrangement with Stagescripts Ltd
“Now listen very carefully, I shall say this only once…..”
Following the successful staging of “Allo Allo” in February 2022 the Company, after a much-needed break to recover, began the formidable task of choosing a suitable subject for a second production.
After a lengthy period of discussions and trying out different genres and formats they opted for staging a “Comedy Who-Done-It” and have chosen to stage a play entitled “Agatha Crusty and the Village Hall Murders” by Derek Webb.
Agatha Crusty (pronounced “Croosty”) is a crime novelist who is also pretty adept at solving real life crimes. When her sister-in-law, Alice, invites her to spend a few days with her in the small village of Chortelby it’s not long before she gets caught up in a series of murders which seem directed at members of the 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. The audience, like the forces of law and order in the shape of the incompetent D.I.Twigg, are left to wade through a mass of clues, both real and false, motives, means and opportunities to try and stop the unknown assassin while the bodies begin to pile up!
With plenty of laughs along the way, this genuine murder mystery will tax the deductive powers of the visiting crime novelist, and the audience, right up to the final curtain! Any similarity between the story on stage and our own small community is purely coincidental, of course!
Roles have been cast (some new faces and some familiar), initial rehearsals are under way and set construction will take place this summer.
With 3 performances planned for 7th, 8th and 9th November 2024 in the Savill Hall a wonderful night of entertainment is guaranteed for all.
As expected, this is a mammoth task and anyone willing and able to help with the production in any of the following areas: Front of House, Publicity, Back Stage Crew, Lighting, Sound, Make-Up, Costumes and Props and Set Construction and Painting would be very welcome and should email Phil Evans.
How CADS Came About
The idea to form a drama group started in 2018, more than likely over a drink in the Fox and Hounds where the seed was planted. In early 2019 a couple of drama queens and I got together to have a chat about how to get things started and move forward. As we had different ideas between us we came to the conclusion that we wanted different things and so the idea came to a halt.
However, the seed that was planted earlier decided to grow, and in September 2019 we had decided to form CADS, and our first play was to be a comedy, a stage version of the BBC wartime hit, ‘Allo ‘Allo. Roles had been allocated, and rehearsals begun when the Covid pandemic struck and the subsequent lockdown stopped all activity. We were able to pick up our scripts again in September 2021, with the production staged in February 2022.
They say every cloud has a silver lining, and our lining took the form of Lee Ellaway who came to live in the village during the lockdown. Lee has years of theatrical experience, and soon agreed to be our producer/director.
Having been suitably whipped into shape by Lee, the actors performed to sell out audiences over three nights in February 2022.
CADS would like to offer their sincere thanks and appreciation to all the cast and crew, and especially the audience and the village for great help and support, which I’m sure will be extended for the new production.
We hope to see you all again in November.
