Murder Mystery came to Gins Saturday, March 15, 2008. The event was set in 1924,
and the entertainment was provided by four professional actors. A thrilling evening
of murder, mystery and intrigue was enjoyed by all as the "whodunnit" unfolded.
All those super-sleuths who correctly guessed the murderer were awarded certificates
and the best dressed couple in fancy dress judged by Julia Lewis was awarded to
John and Julia Strudwick
A sort of an account by Don Wark:
The drama started the Monday before with a tidal surge and floods. Thanks to the hard work of staff and volunteers all was recovered by the Saturday.
Numbers of diners had reached 72, about right to enable people still to circulate as well as generate a good atmosphere for the evening’s events.
As we gathered for our pre-prandial drink, so the Avant-Garde Murder Team circulated in ‘mufti’.
But which were the Team and which New Members ? One foolish Member appeared to have a large knife bloodily buried between shoulder blades, thereby totally confusing the plot. It was good to see Malcolm and Hazel all the way from Guildford. And Wendy and Peter with Camilla. And the Commodore with his Lady. And everyone else of course.
As we sat down for our murder briefing and James’-three-courses, there was a veritable swirl of feather boas and sequinned dresses and tight-jawed 1920’s gents. Robin was distinguished in tweed plus fours and matching hat all to enhance his open tourer (where were the goggles ?). John Strudwick was, for some reason, in a sort of black batman-cycling-cape, but claimed to be Bertie Wooster.
Edwina Cartright was dead of a slow poison (Anton Bates said it was anti-freeze but my party thought that unlikely). ‘Dithers’-the-manservant (gender in any question?), Tracy Boscow and the uninvited-baglady were all suspects.
With only half the clues offered the unseemly room of 74 detective’s assistants were baying for the return of hanging-drawing-and-quartering. Powerful legal skills were available in the room from the formidable James Hanratty and an aggressive Laurie Bates, not to mention the Commodore.
New Member Jack and Rebecca Gabzdyl were fingered at one point but it was an identity confusion with Jack-the-Ripper. The baddie turned out to be ….. but don’t let me spoil it for those who weren’t there.
In the end the problem was solved.
Mrs Julia Lewis (Commodore’s Lady to you) judged that John and Julia Strudwick were the best-dressed-in-show and awarded the rosette. Thanks, as always, to Robert and team for coping with an unruly crowd. Thanks also to Avant-Grade for putting up with the heckling. And so the evening came to a bubolic (for some) close. Malcolm and Hazel headed home to Guildford. John and Julia for the pontoon. And the rest of us to bed. As far as I remember.
