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Picture
Strictly Murder
Palace Theatre
24th and 25th July 2017 - 8pm - Matinee 25th July 2.30pm

Talking Scarlet’s Strictly Murder is an evening with a twist at the Palace Theatre.
As the chief writer of The Avengers, and The Professionals among other well- known TV shows, the late Brian Clemens was responsible for some complicated and quirky programmes. Therefore, from the beginning you know that you are in the hands of an accomplished storyteller. An added bonus is that Strictly Murder is directed by his son, Sam Clemens.

Talking Scarlet’s touring production has a slow burn tension that builds up to a surprising twist at the end. It takes place in 1939, in a remote cottage in Provence, France.  A young English couple, Peter (Gary Turner) and Suzy (Lara Lemon), have only their radio for company, and the broadcasts indicate that it is the build up to the Second World War.  Their nearest neighbour Josef is a rather disturbed man with memory problems and a gun.  It is apparent that he is a German Jew and something has happened in his past to cause his confusion.  The part was very realistically portrayed by Andrew Fettes.  Subsequently, the lives of the couple are thrown into turmoil when it is revealed that Peter is a man with a mysterious past.  

The stage presentation is very filmic in its approach where scenes have no dialogue, but are accompanied by moody music specially composed by Edward Patrick White.  This sets the atmosphere and underscores the action.

Gary Turner, known from Emmerdale, is excellent as the anxious, short-tempered Peter and he is ably supported by Lara Lemon as his naïve wife.  If there is one criticism, I found that in the quieter moments, Gary was difficult to hear.

The play took a sinister turn when Brian Capron (Coronation Street) arrived as Police Inspector Ross with alarming consequences.  Corinne Wicks, also a familiar face from Emmerdale, plays a rather odd, for the period, female Police Superintendent with a Veronica Lake hairdo.  However, all is explained with the unexpected twist at the end, which took everyone by surprise.

The director Sam Clemens was in the audience, and explained to me that his father Brian had great knowledge about the war and the characters in the play were all based on truth.  His father had embellished the reality, but it had made it interesting for the actors when they researched their parts.

The play has a tension all of its own, and an authentic feel that keeps you guessing.

Talking Scarlet’s production of Strictly Murder is only on for two nights.  The final shows are on at 8pm at the Palace Theatre with a matinee performance at 2.30pm, Tuesday 25 July 17.
Tickets: £27.00 £25.00 £19.00 
Concessions £1.50 off
Senior Citizen Matinee Special - £22.00
Group Discounts - 10% off groups 10 - 19, 20% off groups of 20+ 

Prices shown are inclusive of any applicable booking fees. Groups of 10+ please call 01702 351135 to buy fee-free.

Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Ask the Audience


John & Susan Newman - Leigh
We attend the Palace regularly and particularly like to come to the plays. We liked Brian Capron, but we thought the story was a little far- fetched.  However, it was a pleasant evening and we liked the twist at the end.
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Yvonne Brown – Southend
I thought it was very good and I liked the twist at the end.  I often come to see the plays at the Palace,and always enjoy them.
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Linda & Richard – Thorpe Bay
We thoroughly enjoyed it, and thought it was very good
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The tour continues:-
Tuesday 25th July
Westcliff Palace Theatre
 
Thursday 10th - Saturday 12th August        
Buxton Opera House
 
Tuesday 15th - Saturday 19th August        
Grand Theatre, Swansea
 
Friday 8th - Sunday 10th September
Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple
 
Monday 11th - Wednesday 13th September        
Key Theatre, Peterborough
 
Tuesday 26th - Saturday 30th September
Rose Theatre, Kingston
 
Thursday 19th - Saturday 21st October
Corby Cube
 
@talkingScarlet 
https://www.talking-scarlet.co.uk/

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