(Bourne Players stage an annual murder mystery charity production to raise funds for local good causes.  Our last charity production, I Spy Murder, was an hilarious murder mystery staged in February over the three consecutive evenings of Thursday 15, Friday 16 & Saturday 17 at the Corn Exchange, Bourne.  The production raised funds for LIVES (First Responders), The Butterfield Centre and the Mayors Charity, all well known local causes.

I Spy Murder offered audiences a great sociable evening out, seating was cabaret style with a licensed bar and supper served by the charity during the interval, there was also a raffle with some great prizes on offer.  The audience had the task of trying to identify the murderer in teams or tables during the interval from subtle clues in the performance. Did you guess the correct murderer . . . .? 

The scene opened at the funeral of old, wealthy Xavier Hardcastle in his home at Clifftop House with his nearest and dearest gathered to mourn his passing but was all as it seems?  Did he fall or was he pushed?  It soon became clear that Xavier’s death was no accident and that in fact a murderer was among us, did you identify who has been up to no good?  The production was set in the 1940’s during the Second World War adding a lovely touch of atmosphere to the evening.  The evening ended with a rendition of Land of Hope and Glory.

The cast consisted of some popular Players faces many regular watchers will have recognised, as well as two Players debuts - Graham Nightingale as Captain Charles Grainger and John Anning, a new member to the group, as the Brigadier.  Xavier’s niece Agatha King was played by Amanda Nightingale, her husband Arthur King by Richard Coville.  The long suffering Parson Peabody was played by the groups last Chairman Peter Allen, the Brigadiers housekeeper the slightly dotty Winifred Withyspoon by Nicola Dickie.  Finally the love interest in the tale was played by Ros Garfoot as the doctor’s daughter Matilda Turner and long devotee to the ‘dashing Captain’.  There was a special appearance by long standing member Jean Marvin as the King’s housekeeper Mrs Grizell.  The play was written by local writer Joan Jenkin and saw a welcome return to the Director’s chair by Margaret Rine.