If you occasionally fancy yourself as a murder-solving super-sleuth then this fun new show from Brighton-based troupe Murderers Anonymous Theatre is for you.
Murder at the Manor is an original whodunnit comedy play that’s on at the brilliant Lantern Theatre (part of ACT Brighton drama school) in Kemptown.
Take your seat and prepare to work out the mystery of who killed the Lord of the Manor with Detective Fred Herring and her cohort P.C. World. The entire cast each have good reason to have committed the dreaded deed. So many alibis are unearthed and lies are told as the story unfolds.
Throughout the performance, we enjoyed plenty of dad jokes, some exceptional fake moustaches, a roaming hair piece and a dead guinea pig (okay we were sad about the guinea pig). We also enjoyed a light touch of audience participation. Just the right amount to keep this slapstick comedy flowing through its twists and turns.
Speaking of slapstick, we also winced at the incredible number of slaps delivered in just one scene by Red Herring to his hysterical suspects. The slaps made such a great sound. So satisfying.
Can we also mention the excellent comedic timing and wardrobe attire from the son of the murder victim. Very demure, very mindful. We liked him a lot.
Everyone in the cast was excellent and gave it their all, line for line, not missing a beat. It was like a performance hybrid of Fawlty Towers meets Agatha Christie meets the game Cluedo.
In short, Murder at the Manor is fun, frivolous and definitely a worthy contender for Brighton Fringe 2025.
But you don’t have to wait that long to see it, because if you’re free this Thursday you can bag yourself a ticket for their next show.
So put on your best murder-solving head and make your way to the Lantern Theatre for a night of whodunnit mayhem. Was it the angry butler? Was it the French maid? It definitely wasn’t us.
Thursday 5th December; 8pm; £9
77 St James Street, Brighton, BN2 1PA
lanterntheatrebrighton.co.uk
Photo credits: Tim Hinchliffe
