By Isle of Wight Observer
by Richard Priest
Audiences at Shanklin Theatre enjoyed ‘Out Of Sight, Out Of Murder’, a craftily constructed whodunnit produced by Vic Farrow, and performed by an experienced and entertaining ensemble.
Set in a remote part of Cornwall, Peter Knight, played by Kevin Wilson, is a successful author who was central to a script that had a hint of the ‘Magpie Murders’. A cast of characters included Minnie, the humorous housekeeper, played by Denise Farrow, Fiona Babcock’s formidable and opinionated older woman, played by Chrissie Blow, and Steve Watts, as the butler, Cogburn, a similar character to which he played in Murdered To Death. The plot developed over two hours, with everyone left guessing until the final scene.
The lighting, sound and staging was a credit to the backstage team, and the interaction reflected Pepperpot Player influences, with many of the cast involved in other productions at the theatre. The hours of rehearsal and preparation were clearly seen on stage.
Bringing the printed word to life is not an easy task, and the timing and nuanced performances were worthy of the applause of the appreciative audience – an audience that would welcome another subtle thriller of this quality and quirkiness in the near future.
