Murder For Two – Barn Theatre, Cirencester

Lee O’Reilly and Sam Denia in Murder For Two at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester. Picture: Alex Tabrizi

Murder For Two – A Killer Musical Comedy continues at the Barn Theatre, Cirencester until 5 March 2022.

Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩

Yet again another very enjoyable evening at the Barn Theatre Cirencester. The first production in the 2022 Built By Barn season is a new revival production of Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian’s award-winning musical comedy Murder For Two, an hilarious high-energy madcap murder mystery musical whodunit with a twist… well several twists!

A wonderful homage to the murder mystery genre and classic musical slapstick comedy, Murder For Two is a witty, often hilarious blend of music and mayhem. When famous novelist Arthur Whitney is found dead at his birthday party, a detective is required to solve the crime but alas none are available.

Enter neighbourhood officer Marcus Moscowicz, played by Lee O’Reilly (who impressively makes his professional debut in this role, having graduated in 2020 during the pandemic), who seizes his opportunity to prove his worth and solve the crime before the real detective arrives. He takes the audience with him on his super sleuthing journey, seizing every object as a possible clue, his confidence dashed when it leads to a ‘dead end’. We the audience are drawn in and willing him to succeed before the ‘real’ detective arrives. The connection is real.

There are in fact 13 characters in the play and as this is a two-hander it is then up to Sam Denia to play all the suspects at the birthday party which he does with aplomb and a remarkable amount of energy, hilarity and an impressive range of voices and accents, male and female, young and old. That he manages this with no costume changes apart from the odd hat, scarf or glasses is also impressive and the incredible pace of change between characters is truly awe-inspiring.

I was somewhat in awe of both O’Reilly and Denia as they never leave the stage at all AND as well as acting and singing, they both play two pianos throughout, sometimes accompanying each other but often together sitting, standing, lying and playing across and around each other and more. All the piano playing is live and extremely impressive.

These are two clearly exceptionally accomplished actor-musicians in absolute command of a very wordy, fast-paced script with impressive characterisations, detail, nuance and boundless energy. Bravo!

Much credit must also go to director Bryan Hodgson who previously directed the Barn Theatre’s 2019 Built By Barn production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which had successful runs at the Cirencester venue and London’s Turbine Theatre (which marked the Barn’s first London transfer).

In his director’s notes Hodgson says Murder For Two incorporates several of his favourite things: murder, mysteries, musicals and imaginative storytelling. It is clear this production is a labour of love and care from both performers and creatives. Hodgson has set the piece in a prop store of a film studio which “incorporates an energy of magical theatrical history, as well as an energy of ‘anything can happen’…” His superb direction certainly succeeds in carrying the audience along this madcap journey.

It is also clear that the whole creative team involved has invested as much care, detail and love into creating this time capsule. The set, props, lighting and sound are all outstanding.

I absolutely loved Justin Williams’ evocative, intricate and fabulous set and wished I could have gone up on stage afterwards to have a real look at all the amazing detail. Dusty prop rooms in old theatres are full of mystery and memories and it is delightful seeing how both actors use so much of the intricate set throughout – hidden props and messages keep us wondering what else there is to be uncovered.

Likewise Sam Rowcliffe-Tanner uses the set to full effect for some dramatic and also hilarious lighting effects and moments, along with Ben Thomas’ sound design which adds to the atmosphere and detail. A clearly harmonious creative team.

It’s always an immense pleasure to visit The Barn in Cirencester. The quality of productions presented in the few years since the theatre opened has been inspiring.

Murder For Two is a wonderful season opener and a perfect antidote to gloomy weather and sadly a still very stressful world. The near full audience absolutely loved every minute – highly recommended.

Catherine Françoise