When I was invited to review Murder At The Manor at Brighton Fringe, I immediately thought of Agatha Christie. Murder At The Manner by Murderers Anonymous is a play with a great mix of humour and drama, where everything is possible. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to get involved and have a laugh. This brilliant show transported us to a high society family embroiled in a gripping mystery.
I found it an entertaining play, offering interesting insights through the actors’ body language. They seemed comfortable with their costumes, movements, and overall performance.
The play took me on an analytical journey through acting, allowing me to recognise concrete successes in the use of Brechtian Gestus — gestures that are recognisable on a historical and social level, allowing empathy with the message — and in the use of space, considering the bases of semiotics as understood by Anne Ubersfeld and Fernando del Toro. This demonstrates the innate potential of the group to bring these characters to life. However, it remains to be seen whether they are aware of this potential.
The group dynamic of the eight characters on stage created a playful narrative. The play deals with issues of interest and social class, as well as hidden love affairs that ultimately trigger more than one murder when the need not to upset the order of things is prioritised.
Audience interaction is undeniably genius in an investigative play. Allowing the audience to ask for revealing details that might help the performers solve the mystery is definitely a spontaneous and daring move. Well done on those quick answers! One of the greatest things theatre can convey is the realisation that we are alive here and now. That’s what I mostly take away from this play. I also enjoyed the playfulness and spontaneity of the journey, and the performers’ natural ability to bring the characters to life. I hope to see them again soon, reaching their full potential.
The narrative’s tone was that of a rich and simple black comedy — one of the most organic productions I have seen at the Fringe Festival. The natural performances of the actors, coupled with the welcoming and accessible setting of The Lantern Theatre, made this journey of role-play, suspicion and innocence especially effective.
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