A Murder Mystery Evening
The Mucked Up McTupps
The Mull Dwyne Murder
by Tim Bancroft
A crime has been committed near the world-famous Bat Caves on Mull Dwyne. The tourits - played by the audience - are now stranded, their ferry destroyed. The murderer cannot escape, but the evidence points to the impossible, or implausible: can the audience solve the crime and identify the real culprit before another crime occurs?
Shipton Bellinger Village Centre
Saturday 1st April 2000
Doors open 7:00pm for 7:30 start
Two-course meal included! Bar available
As background we've provided some character sketches below - of course they will have come from chatting to locals - mainlanders and islanders - and, of course, the farm and zooworkers. They may well also have confided some rumours...
The Baron (played by Paul Marsh) - Little is known about this enigmatic man other than that he is an exile from an unspecified foreign country, and sometimes uses the title "voivode", or "Count". For some reason he is rarely seen around during the day and tends to prefer thick, dark-red drinks. He takes great interest in the exotic vegetables for which the isle is famous and it is he who has fostered and built the Zoo and Bat Caves for which the Mull is renowned. He took the name McTupp from his wife when becoming the Baron.
The Baroness (played by Jean Dale-Baker) Penelope McTupp, wife to the Baron, is the long-lost heir to the McTupp estates, inheriting some years ago when the late Baron died. She inherited a dilapidated castle and ruined farm, and many thought she would have to sell her inheritance. Oddly, since she came back from her holiday with her new husband (five years ago), everything has thrived and she has even developed a taste for expensive jewellery. She is also somewhat of a snob, preferring the title "Countess".
Professor Van Rental (played by Graham
Barnetson). Van Rental is an occult researcher, known to
many as the host of the TV Show "The H-files: True Horrors
of the Occult". This program is supposed to uncover occult
frauds but more often than not finds real unexplained phenomena
and apparently real ghosts. A guest of the Baron's and Baroness,
he is investigating the ghosts mentioned in the tour guide, but
is convinced the island is home to some vampiric
activities….
Dr. Des "Squeaky" MesDaunt (played by Steve
Durrans) is a frequent guest at the castle. He is a famous
professor of bats whose name has been on many a learned article
in the academic journal Nighture Whilst he is in charge of the
bat caves and zoo, he also lectures at the university on the
mainland and in many schools nearby. He almost always dresses in
black, occasionally with a long cloak, and has only ever been
seen after the sun has gone down at night….except when he is
seen inside one of the laboratories.
A maid, Carrie (played by Rosemary Henderson), who recently joined the castle staff and works in the kitchen, living in the castle. She is very quiet, polite, apparently innocent and subservient. She is often seen around the castle, coasts and farms, examining and exploring everything about what she calls "this beautiful island".
Natalie, a Bat Researcher and part-time maid, (played by Anne Nother) an avid student of MesDaunt's and looks set to inherit the professorship. During the day she helps out at the Bat Caves where she acts as a vet and works or studys in the laboratory. In the evening she works as a maid in the castle for room and board.
The Cook (played by Helen Bourne) who has been around for donkey's years living in and on the island and originally served old Nev McTupp. Should she have inherited…..?
The Tour Guide (played by Gillian Durrans). This very helpful and co-operative guide is here to help the stranded audience as she has been doing all day. Of course, she could not have committed the crime, and can be trusted, as she has been in constant contact with at least one of the tourists at all times!
The Narrator is Helen Batterby who will provide background, guide the audiencethrough the various stages of the mystery and will introduce the characters where necessary.
There are a number of Castle and Island Staff who also failed to leave the Mull and have volunteered to help the stranded. We must thank, therefore, the "staff who stayed behind": Janine Bancroft and Anita Croudace (Bar), Tim Bancroft (Director/Producer, programme and handouts, and guide), Jo Neville (staff), and the assistance of Geoff Croudace (Stage Manager) and Gill Grainger (Lights). Front of house is Roy Batterby.
Thanks again to Julie and Peter Donovan for their backdrops and stepping in at the last moment when the producer was sent abroad! Make-up was by the cast and Julie Donovan. Costumes were provided by the cast.
Acknowledgements to Microsoft® Publisher Clipart for the Vampire Bat motif.
To contact us, send an e-mail to barnetsonhome@netscapeonline.co.uk
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Page Last Updated: 26th March 2000