By Gerald Moon
Performed by Robert Latimer, Ivan Sherry, Mark Uhre, Lorna Wilson
Directed by Adam Furfaro
Drayton Entertainment
Huron Country Playhouse
July 5 to July 22, 2006
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
Murder Mystery based on sibling rivalry
Corpse! on stage at Huron Country Playhouse in Grand Bend, is a typical murder mystery, with mistaken identities (made worse when there are identical twins), and then unusual twists to the plot before the intrigue is unravelled.
If you are a fan of murder mysteries with surprises along the way, then you would likely enjoy this offering. However, it’s not my “cuppa tea” as the British characters might say, and frankly I found the first act to be a bit slow. The pace picks up in act two when some of the plot’s twists are revealed.
Without giving away too much, Corpse! is the story of Evelyn, an unemployed actor down on his luck, who can’t pay the rent. He hates his rich twin brother, Rupert, who was the favoured son. Evelyn decides to have Rupert killed, so he can inherit the family fortune. But of course, there’s a subplot when he hires a certain killer.
The play is well acted, with Ivan Sherry playing both the twin brothers, Evelyn and Rupert. Sherry is at his best in British farces. Robert Latiner is good as Major Powell, the rather shady hired murderer. And Lorna Wilson is excellent as the nosy landlady, Mrs. McGee. Mark Uhre, who just played Curly in Oklahoma! is Hawkins, the London Bobby. All the characters maintain delightful British accents and do a good job if getting laughs whenever possible.
The set is impressive – we see great detail in Evelyn’s shabby flat, and then it turns around to reveal Rupert’s luxury home, complete with art deco finishing touches.
Corpse! is very reminiscent of Double Double, another murder mystery presented at HCP several years ago based on look-alike characters.
If there were any flaws with this play, it was not the fault of this production, which was well done. The concerns are with the script, which just seems to take a little too long to garner interest.
Corpse! continues with eight shows a week until July 22 at Huron Country Playhouse, Grand Bend. Tickets are available at the Huron Country Playhouse box office at (519) 238-6000 or Drayton Entertainment at 1-888-449-4463.