In Casting for Murder, one actress is thrust into the role of a lifetime as she tries to catch a murderer while avoiding being murdered herself!
This dramatic thriller, by Elizabeth Elwood, is Scarborough Theatre Guild's latest production and it will keep you not only guessing until the end, but also shocked at a conclusion you will never see coming.Set on the remote British Columbia island home of husband and wife John and Angela (Sandy Stephens, Elizabeth Innes-Goetz), the setting is perfect for creating an atmosphere of seclusion and danger, which is what Angela is in.An actress, it seems Angela has the perfect life; she was just cast in a great new role, her husband is a successful mystery novelist and her time is spent canoodling at parties. But after a visit from their neighbour Bertram Beary (Ian Fox), we see there's a shadow about to be cast over her sunny life.Three years ago her aunt was found dead, murdered by an unknown perpetrator. Bertram is convinced it was her son, Angela's cousin Steven (Cary West), who committed the crime and isn't tactful in sharing what he thinks.This makes for an uncomfortable situation when he, along with members of the latest play Angela will be in, Derek (Brad Deller), Susan Delaney (Caitlin Stanley), and Steven come for a visit to plan the week-long party they will have on the island once the show wraps.Bertram is convinced that Steven has not only murdered his mother, but his entire family to be the sole heir of the family fortune, and that his murdering spree isn't finished, with Angela, who was left some money, next on his hit list.Bertram has an ally in his niece Adrian, a journalism student whose been digging into the unsolved case. After sharing new evidence with Angela, it becomes clear that the party, which also sees fellow actress Charlotte Thornton (Karen Brown) joining in on the fun, is being planned for her murder, leaving Angela, Bertram and John to try and stop him.Things are complicated by the satellite phones being broken and going missing, another murder and a storm that means everyone is trapped on the island. This lends to an intense game of cat and mouse.This is a show where you must pay attention or you'll miss something. There are so many details, twists and turns the plot does become confusing at times. As well, there were a lot of odd moments that seemed to not fit the circumstances. For instance, John knows of the threat to his wife, but he is calm and semms not to comfort Angela at times, even playing chess with Susan, who Bertram thinks is Steven's accomplice.And storm or not, if a murder happened at my house and my life was threatened, I would not be making dinner or serving drinks to the people who are planning my death. Nonetheless, Innes-Goetz was likeable and sympathetic as Angela and played well opposite Fox's strong and assured Bertram.Brown and Deller as the clueless Charlotte and Derek played the much needed comic relief of the show, and newcomer Stanley was perfect in the role of Susan, and without giving it away, really helped to make this play the shocker that it was.There were many details and added effects like "wind" on the beautifully constructed terrace, and the storm sounds which, with the help of lighting, helped to create the perfect eerie atmosphere. While this show was slow moving and confusing at times, stay with it and you will be rewarded with a fun, jaw-dropping ending.Casting for Murder's remaining shows are April 15 to 17, 22 and 23, 8 p.m. and April 18 and 24, 2 p.m. at the Scarborough Village Theatre, 3600 Kingston Rd. Tickets are $17 and $14 for students and seniors on Thursdays and Sundays only. For tickets, please call 416-267-9292.