Double Act drama group have been performing murder walks during the summer, on and off since 2000. They now seem to take place every other year as the effort and commitment to stage them is surprisingly time consuming. Like most of the past 12 previous walks this latest one was written by Peter Smith, but rather than being a revamp of a previous script performed inside the castle ruins, or earlier still on Corfe Common, this was a totally new story set in 1834 during William IV’s reign (NOT George duh!) at a time of great social and political change.
As usual there were number of suspects for the ‘off-screen’ murder of a certain Sir Phillip Moore.
These were his wife Lady Catherine Moore (Lyndsay Dixon); his daughter Elizabeth (Bess) Moore (Katie Holloway); Daniel Miller a doctor & politician (Rob Schofield); Jethro Brine an ex-soldier & working man (Nick Jubber); Jack Jones a climbing boy (Rafe Jubber) and of course the ever present annoying old local Meg (Linda Coulson). The investigation was led by Inspector Thomas Truman from the Peelers (Dougal Dixon) with Jean Dixon stepping in as ‘a strange local’ to prompt with her high tech baby.
The Merry Crew!
As usual the walk took place around the field north of the castle and the slopes of West Hill, but always under the looming atmospheric gaze of the great castle ruins. All preparations were proceeding as planned until Peter ended up in hospital for three weeks out of five during the final rehearsals and first performance. However, the gallant cast other DA members leapt in to help, particularly Jean, to get the publicity out and about in time.
Peter managed to get out of hospital for the last six walks which were all very well attended. With ‘sell-outs’ for the last four during full school holidays and an amazing 172 folk at the last walk! In fact we appear to have sold around 666 tickets either on-line or on the gate – a very apt devilish number.
This year we were lucky with the weather on every night although some evenings the forecast was promising to be very wet – but we got away with it. Which is more than can be said for the various groups of cyclists, dog walkers and massive group of joggers who ran through our scenes at various performances and rehearsals and not forgetting the noisy cars, tractors, motor bikes and helicopters! All part of the experience?
………….Action!
Feedback has been amazing with a number commenting that this was our best and most understandable murder walk yet. Plus some very positive comments from folk involved in the theatrical world.
The plot did seem to build to a lively climactic scene with reveal upon reveal leaving the audience gasping and culminating in a pistol duel that had the crowd demanding that it take place and then cheering the result!
It never ceases to amaze us how every walk is unique in that the crowd reacts totally differently and asks different questions. But they all seemed to leave ‘buzzing’ after the show.
The Final Line-up!
As always this is down to the brilliant cast inhabiting their characters and taking the crowd along with them. Okay, Peter scribbles the words down, but the cast bring it alive. Let us not forget the dedication of Lyndsay who not only made her own dress but that is was the first dress she had ever made! Amazing!
It is understood that the next walk is already written – set during World War 2 – sounds familiar?
So now we take a well earned “Walking” rest until 2027. Oh, no you don’t! Oh, yes we …. oh I see. But most of us now dive straight into rehearsals and preparations for our November 2025 panto, “Alice In Cuckoo Land”. See you there!
Text and original photographs by Peter Smith.