A Stab in the Dark (play)

A Stab in the Dark is a whodunnit written by Australian playwright Alex Vickery-Howe. The first production was performed in Adelaide, South Australia, in February - March 2008 and directed by Toni Main.[1]

Original Cast

Helmet Kinderland James Aubrey

Randal Devlin Scout Adam Willson

Myles Fletcher Andrew Crupi

Eleanor Grubb Bridget Walters

Isabella Virtue Tanya Kaploon

Jade Sloan Katherine Warner

Walter Crowley Martin Hissey

Lacey Crowley Maya Aleksandra

Sheila Hunt Stephanie Pinnock

Maverick Horne Alec Hall

Synopsis

A Stab in the Dark begins with the arrival of Myles Fletcher and Randal Devlin Scout to the remote island home of their adopted father, Helmet Kinderland. Sniveling, stuttering Fletcher is a stark contrast to the confident and charismatic Scout. The two swap stories about the times shared together in Mr. Kinderland’s custody before they are joined by Eleanor Grubb, the caretaker. Fletcher agonizes over the dire weather warnings as Scout gets the alcohol flowing and Mrs. Grubb wonders who these two strange people are despite having been their nanny for many years. The reunion party moves up a notch when Isabella Virtue, Fletcher’s old flame, swans in. Fletcher and Virtue have shared a steamy past causing Fletcher to become even more nervous. Walter Crowley and his butch wife Sheila Hunt thunder through the door mid-argument. They are followed by Walter’s twin sister Lacey Crowley. She attempts to steer the reunion back on course, but it’s too late for that. Jade Sloan, a twisted and sadistic fashion designer, enters to expose the bitter secrets of the feuding guests. Finally, the last member of the group, pilot Maverick Horne enters via the back window and tries to seduce everyone else in the room. The cast of wicked characters is assembled and, just when everyone begins to put their differences aside, Mr. Kinderland’s bloody corpse slips out from behind the curtains!

Development

The play was developed at Higher Ground, a South Australian arts venue, as part of the 2008 Adelaide Fringe Festival. The writer received the Independent Arts Foundation Literature Award based on a body of work, including A Stab in the Dark.[2] The show itself is a murder mystery homage, closely modelled on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None but in the fast-paced comic style of Clue and Murder By Death.

Critical Reception

Rip It Up Magzaine said of the original production "A Stab In The Dark brings together a cast of characters representing all aspects of human vice, and everyone quickly exhibits all sorts of ulterior motives as the plot takes all sorts of twists and turns. Played brilliantly by all the players and with some great artistic direction, this one will keep you guessing right till the thrilling conclusion. Remember, nothing is as it seems! Very good indeed!"[3]

References

  1. ↑ Louise Nunn, 2008, "Twist the Night Away The Advertiser 03 02 2008
  2. ↑ Media Release available from http://www.sayab.org.au/sayab/
  3. ↑ Luke Balzan, Rip It Up, 17 Mar 2008

External links