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James Bradwell as Sergeant Troy and Daniel Casey
as Inspector Barnaby.
Picture: Mann Bros.
Midsomer Murders:
The Killings at Badger’s Drift
Malvern Theatres
****
In a world where every step and
conversation is recorded on your neighbour’s Ring doorbell, what a
refreshing delight it was to meander back in time to the more innocent
nineties this week at Malvern Theatres, where all you had to worry about
were scheming twitchers, incestuous artists, axe wielding homicidal
maniacs and bloody begonias.
Well in Badger’s Drift anyway, where everything
was slightly off kilter due to the ever-increasing body count amongst
the orchids. It is true what they say, we never really know what goes on
behind closed doors but stroll along the quiet village street or Church
Lane and become a notation in Iris Rainbird’s blackmail album or
discover a handful of mushrooms on your doorstep. There is always
somebody watching your every move so don’t be ludicrous and think you
can get away with murder, especially whilst out walking your Beagle.
Caroline Graham’s Midsomer Murders glides
effortlessly onto Malvern’s stage this week for The Killings At Badger’s
Drift where we are introduced to Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby,
Daniel Casey and Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy, James Bradwell, as they
get a bee in their bonnets over the intriguing death of the sprightly
octogenarian Emily Simpson. For fans of the TV show, what a treat that
Daniel Casey, best known for playing Sergeant Troy in Midsomer Murders
between 1997 and 2008, is now back with a promotion.
Writer and director Guy Unsworth brings Caroline
Graham’s eccentric characters to life using multi-rolling actors who
seamlessly switch roles as the set transforms around them and David
Woodhead’s vision for set and costume design provides whimsical touches
like the model village that lights up, the village sign that reminded me
of a Polo mint and all the moving parts used to hilarious effect to help
with the unravelling of the mystery surrounding all the savage deaths as
a squeaky tea trolley is wheeled about serving sandwiches cut into the
shapes of playing cards.
So many memorable moments to laugh about,
including the funny line by Dennis Rainbird, Rupert Sadler, “Oh! I see
you’ve got a right “cunt-stable” there”, the dancing forensic
investigators and you can’t escape the bonking. I won’t spoil the ending
but just know that Richard knew all along.
To tickle the grotesque underbelly of village
life, can you solve the case before it’s too late? Midsomer Murders is
at Malvern Theatres until Saturday November 8th. Tickets are available
from the box office on 01684 892277 or
check out the website.
Emma Trimble
04-11-25
The bucolic body count will continue to rise
from 10-14 March, 2026 at The Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham and two
weeks later 24-28 March, 2026 at Derby Theatres.
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