On Friday evening 26th February, villagers gathered at the Church Hall to participate in a “Murder Mystery Evening” organised by the Sulgrave Women’s Activity Group (SWAG). The audience learned of the tragic death of the Duke of Felthorpe. A number of volunteers, some more willing than others, took the parts of the Duke’s son and heir, daughter, daughter-in-law, lawyer, butler, chef, nurse, and maid. These characters had assembled for the “Reading of the Will”. As the evening progressed, accusations and counter-accusations indicated that the Duke’s death was more than a little suspicious and the behaviour of his relatives and servants was revealed as positively outrageous. Ultimately the introduction of an additional character, that of a police inspector, became necessary. A lengthy and enjoyable pause for a fish and chip supper enabled the audience to, as it were, consider its verdict as to the guilty parties. Finally, the police inspector presented his report and the handful of participants who had correctly identified the culprit(s) were suitably rewarded with Sulgrave Village Shop vouchers. Many thanks are due to the SWAG ladies who worked so hard to bring the evening about.
Pictures on next page.
Left to Right: Roxanne, the Duke’s nurse (Karen B); Chef Humble (Christina S); Susan, the Duke’s daughter (Lynn H ); Larkin, the Duke’s lawyer (Mike H); Mandy, wife to the Duke’s son and heir (Sally E); the Duke’s son and heir himself (Hywel L)
The Duke’s maid, Trish (Susie W)
The Duke’s son and heir Monty (Hywel L) and his wife Mandy (Sally E) anticipate the contents of the will…..
Monty, now the new Duke, mingles with the audience
The Duke’s solicitor joins in the discussion
The Inspector calls….
….and presents his report
The Duke’s solicitor make his final submission….
….but the Duke’s nurse, on the left, knows that the game is up
Joy names the winners!
The part of Nobbs, the Duke’s butler, was played by Colin W, who was also responsible for the photographs.