REVIEW: DEATH’S VEILED AGENDA by Abby Patrick & Kian O’Callaghan at Drayton Arms Theatre 13 – 18 August 2024

“This isn’t sh*t they cover in the employee handbook.” ★★★ ½

To celebrate her birthday, Bea invites her University friends to an immersive murder mystery experience at Thornfield Manor, where they must solve clues in order to discover who the fictitious murderer is. As tensions arise amongst the group and the friends scramble to keep their darkest secrets hidden from each other, a real murderer lurks in their midst and takes the opportunity to strike... 

This is an engaging and smartly plotted play, however, the first half is weighed down by too much exposition and a plodding pace, whereas the second half really comes into its own, giving the actors some meaty lines and a real chance to show off their acting prowess. 

Police interviews with the survivors are interspersed with the shadowy events as they unfold at Thornfield Manor and, at the end, there’s a flashback to the crime being committed to reveal the murderer’s identity, which is deftly staged.

The entire cast give terrific performances. All the characters are well drawn and distinguishable, from the level-headed and intellectual Ruby played with conviction by Lily Barker to the joyfully ditzy Evelyn, played with aplomb by Rosie Hunt.

A highlight was the juxtaposition of the murder mystery hosts, Mia and Owen, which is comedy gold. Mia, who possesses a nervous energy and is overly enthusiastic about her job, works wonderfully well in contrast to the disinterested and sardonic Owen, who would rather be anywhere else. As they become accidentally embroiled in a real life murder mystery, their chemistry shines and Charlotte Bass and Aaron King give standout comic performances.

The set is intricately detailed and well thought out. It has all the hallmarks of a real locked room mystery, from secret cubby holes to fluorescent writing on the wall. 

There are lots of clever touches to this play, such as Mia and Owen greeting the audience as they enter the auditorium - as if we too were guests in the immersive murder mystery game, and in the interval a table containing boxes with each character’s picture is brought out, inviting the audience to vote for who they think is the culprit.

A cross between “Clue” and the gossipy, backstabbing upper-class friendship groups of “Made in Chelsea”, this whodunit keeps you guessing until the end and boasts a talented cast.

DEATH’S VEILED AGENDA by Abby Patrick & Kian O’Callaghan at Drayton Arms Theatre 13 – 18 August 2024

Presented by KO Company

Box Office: https://www.thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk/deaths-veiled-agenda

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deaths.veiled.agenda/

Cast

Dylan - Kian Callaghan

Ruby - Lily Barker

Grace - Daisy Pearson

Bea - Isabel Da Silva

Caleb - Ben Welshman

Evelyn - Rosie Hunt

Mia - Charlotte Bass

Owen - Aaron King

Annie Power is the Artistic Director of Open Page Productions, and an award-winning writer and producer.