Review - Lord Arthur Savile's Crime - Little Theatre

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime 

Little Theatre
7^th Nov 2022

This week has been something of a trial, but a bright spot at the beginning of the week was the first night of The Progessive Players' latest offering at The Little Theatre.  

Lord Arthur Savile's Crime is based on an Oscar Wilde short story. It’s a period drama, a situation comedy and a murder mystery – well sort of – and a bit of a farce (in both the comedic sense, and in it's rather preposterous plot).

Arthur Savile, who we quickly learn is not terribly bright, is about to be married. However his future mother in law wishes to ensure that he is a suitable match for her daughter and so has employed the services of Mr Podgers a cheiromantist of some renown, who can divine a person’s past, present and future simply by looking at their palm. Lady Merton clearly hopes to uncover some misdemeanor in Lord Savile’s past but to her disappointment Mr Podgers discovers none. He reveals to the assembled guests that Lord Arthur is a decent young man of upright character.  Lord Arthur, however, saw something in his reaction and insists on knowing what more he saw….in private Mr Podgers admits with apparent reluctance that it was not his past that was cause for concern, but his future -  at some point Lord Savile will commit a murder. 

Horrified by this Lord Arthur decides he must complete the heinous act, without being found out,  before he weds his love, so that her reputation is not tarnished in the future. The logic of this is clearly bullet proof! 

He engages the help of his trusty butler Baines and there follow several inept attempts to kill off various members of his family. Poisoning, shooting, blowing up with a variety of bombs supplied by the bizarre Herr Winkelhopf, an anarchist who just happens to be in the neighbourhood!  

Naturally, being Oscar Wilde this tale is full of wit, and astute character observations. The characters are brought to life by the cast with some brilliantly funny performances. My favourites were undoubtedly Edward Collins as Baines, Sylvia Bertie as Lady Clementina, and the completely over the top Sean Turner as Herr Winkelhopf.   It is an hilarious tale - with increasingly ludicrous attempts at murder, and it had the audience laughing out loud. There were one or two first night glitches which really only added to our amusement. The cast dealt with them professionally which is always for me an  indication of good direction, and a well trained cast and crew. 

The set and costumes were a delight - beautiful dresses for the ladies and dapper outfits for Lord Savile. 

So if like me, you've been having a bit of a mare of a week and need some cheering up, this is the play to go see! Or if your week has been grand, then this would top it off perfectly. 

There are still tickets available for Friday and Saturday showings, but book them quick! 

*Images supplied by The Progressive Players

Denise Sparrowhawk