Reviews / Brenna Players spin a wooly yarn in hilarious murder mystery
IT IS no secret that I am a big fan of Brenna Players, so I was delighted to accept an invitation to review their latest offering on a Friday evening (7 November) under a blanket of atmospheric thick fog in Carnegie Hall in Sandwick, writes Stephenie Georgia.
This time it was a murder mystery with a distinctly wooly theme, not-so-subtly inspired by the huge local success that is the annual Wool Week. Indeed it was to an audience of wool week patrons this production was first staged to great response.
This evening it was the turn of the locals to enjoy and try to solve the latest murder mystery created by the dream team of director Lesley Watt and writer Lesley Leslie.
It takes real skill to create a production that will appeal to visitors to Shetland but also entertain locals and Brenna Players achieved this with their perfect blend of local humour, knitting puns and visual comedy that had the packed audience roaring with laughter, and gasping with shock.
The fellow detectives at my table enjoyed speculating, discussing and laughing together all night through proving that not only do Brenna Players provide a wonderful night’s entertainment, they also provide a chance to connect with others which is a valuable gift during a dark Shetland winter.
Mention has to be given to the Carnegie Hall committee who pulled out all the stops with knitting themed decor including creative wool centrepieces – complete with grizzly knitting needle weapons. Efficient service, soft lighting and delicious home bakes added a lovely ambience to the welcoming atmosphere one always feels at a Brenna Players show.
Our entertainment opened with an unexpected recorded song, which I believe was created by Watt and his companion AI composer. A tongue in cheek song dedicated to Brenna Players and Sandwick Hall was a joyful welcome, although I would suggest it was perhaps a tad too long for an opening number and felt a little repetitive.
Nonetheless, a wonderful example of how Brenna continue to push the boundaries with their touring productions.
The endearing enigma that is ‘Inspector Piritez’ returned to our stage to explain that, perhaps, there may be a ‘crem on ze ‘orizon’ in this year’s wool week celebrations. It was a delight to see Niall Cruickshank reprise this role with all his comic innuendos, double entendres and mysterious pronunciations.
Particularly impressive as the company wrote in an existing injury to be a part of his characterisation. Bravo to Cruickshank for sustaining this delivery throughout.
There was perhaps a missed opportunity here to play with some variety with the skilled company in terms of building up or playing with their reactions to Piritez’s mysterious word choices, however this would only serve as an enhancement to what is already a wonderful and highly entertaining part of Brenna’s show recipe.
The surprises continued as a herd of sheep took to the stage for their clippin’ an drenchin’, a hilarious physical comedy skit between Jeannie (Lesley Leslie), Teacosy (Vaila Irvine) and the cantankerous Farmer Crochet (David Smith).
The musical numbers were a motif for the show, and peppered in along the way with one particular hilarious highlight being a number with our murder victim, dastardly ‘Black Eric’, played by Steve Relph, entertaining not one but three love interests.
The dance routine devised by the company was comedy gold as the three leading ladies competed for his affections with poor ‘Teacosy’ not quite managing to keep up with the moves. Irvine played this to perfection with Penelope Peacock (Tori Hannesson) and Myra (Joanne Middleton) providing the perfect foil.
Special mention has to go to Middleton for her spectacular and highly entertaining rendition of ‘If You’re Good To Myra’ (If You’re Good To Mama from Chicago). Dazzling the audience with her powerful vocal and almost as powerful glittery red flares as she confidently strode through the crowds making sure we knew Myra had arrived!
The clues kept coming as between each section we were treated to more fabulous tunes, enhancing the joyous feel to the occasion. Alfie Boyes has been Brenna Players’ regular technician for more than one production, and continues to develop and dazzle audiences with his sound and lighting effects.
For this reviewer, my favourite effect was the most simple. The genius solution to a roving spotlight being produced by a handheld torch! An excellent idea which worked perfectly within the context of the show. Other notable effects were the use of red lights during the regular musical Brenna staple, He Had It Comin’, (another Chicago number) where we are treated to an array of reminders from each of our suspects.
One favourite moment which elicited gasps from our audience was the reveal of the grizzly murder victim, with Jeannie’s knitting belt the weapon of choice! It felt this murder came later in the show than usual, an interesting and unexpected choice with part of our ‘whodunnit’ being ‘whos-getting-killed’.
Another highlight was the reprise of ‘Little Ole Yarn Knitter Me’ with some excellent comic timing from the company alongside long suffering marketing manager Alvin (Alan Murdoch), as the cast turned on poor Myra.
While I was initially sceptical about the inclusion of the recorded AI audio tracks, I have to say it won me over! I was humming ‘Welcome to Sandwick Hall’ all the way home, and the blend of live singing with audio tracks was very well balanced throughout the production.
Staging, costume and set design choices were strong, particularly in the opening scene when our poor sheep were ruthlessly sheared! Backdrops added another level of depth and hilarity at moments throughout the show.
There were moments that cast were blocked by speakers in the downstage left corner, however with so much activity unfolding and a full excited audience, I think this can be forgiven! It certainly did not take anything away from what was a very entertaining and enjoyable evening.
It would take too long to go into each winding wooly detail of this tale, or share every knitting pun…and there were many. But what I can say is that every time I see a Brenna show, their production is elevated to a new level.
The relationships between each cast member are clear to see in their intuitive comedy responses to each other, and as an audience member you feel you are part of the show too
‘Needles’ to say (sorry…) I loved it and can’t wait to see what Brenna Players bring us next.
What a lucky community we are to have such an entertaining, dedicated troupe of performers right on our doorstep. Thank you Brenna Players for shining your torchlight in a foggy dark night in Sandwick and bringing us all such joyful entertainment.
Become a member of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its readers to consider paying for membership to get additional perks:
- Removal of third-party ads;
- Bookmark posts to read later;
- Exclusive curated weekly newsletter;
- Hide membership messages;
- Comments open for discussion.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a member of Shetland News by either making a single payment, or setting up a monthly, quarterly or yearly subscription.
Already a member? Sign in to hide this message.
