Bloody Murder by Ed Sala. Directed by Josh Wiseman. Canberra Repertory Society. Canberra Rep Theatre. Nov 21 -Dec. 7.

Not much can be said about Bloody Murder, except that it is a a murder mystery along the lines of a murder mystery game with a nicely detailed English manor house setting (design by Josh Wiseman) and stock murder mystery characters.

Lady Somerset  (Antonia Kitzel),  maid Jane (Steph Roberts) Devon Tremaine (Stuart Roberts) The Major (Arran McKenna) Charles (Glen Brighenti) and Emma (Holly Ross) are increasingly  conscious (though at different rates) that they are not in control. 

Murders happen, a few additional characters turn up (courtesy of actors playing more than one role), there’s lots of mayhem and eventually some kind of resolution is arrived at. 

The actors clearly enjoy not only their chief characters but also a range of other grotesques and cliches that most of them double up on. Subtlety is out the window and it’s time to be cheerfully over the top. 

It’s a very busy show too and backstage and technical have much fun with weird lighting (designer Nathan Sciberras) and lots of gunshots (sound design Nathan Pye). The script is not all that sophisticated but it might be the right choice if you want an end of year romp for actors and techies and audience alike. 

We are requested not to reveal the ending. 

Alanna Maclean