"Stand and Deliver" a Resounding Success!
What a whirlwind of mystery and intrigue! The West Haddon Players are delighted to report that our recent production, "Stand and Deliver, A Murder Mystery Evening," was a resounding success.
Over four performances in West Haddon, Watford Village, and Hilmorton on October 25th & 26th and November 1st & 2nd, nearly 300 eager sleuths joined us for an evening unlike any other.
This murder mystery was close to our hearts as our director, Daisy, is a direct descendant of the Pettifer family. It was apt that this was Daisy's first production as director and we are amazingly proud of her.
A huge thank you to everyone who participated and made "Stand and Deliver" such a memorable experience.
The Story
“Stand and Deliver” delves into the shadowy world of the Culworth Mob, a band of men who rob from the rich to give to the poor in their village. At the heart of the story is the recruitment of a new member, William Pettifer, who initially trembles at the thought but ultimately joins their ranks. Under the leadership of John Smith Senior, the mob’s clandestine activities are carefully concealed from the prying eyes of the law.
But the story takes a sinister turn when John Smith Senior is found murdered in cold blood. As the mob members and their wives discover his lifeless body, suspicion falls upon any one of the characters.
The plot thickens with the arrival of Doctor Foster, who agrees to help cover up the murder and uncover the identity of the killer.
Adding to the intrigue, the script subtly reveals that everyone within the Culworth Mob has a motive for murder, from hidden affairs to simmering resentment over the division of their ill-gotten gains. This tangled web of relationships and simmering discontent casts a shadow of suspicion over every character, making the task of identifying the true killer all the more challenging.
The play concludes with the mystery remaining unsolved, leaving the audience to ponder the question: who among them is the murderer?
How it Worked
The evening unfolded with this captivating short play, setting the scene and culminating in a shocking murder! Then, the real fun began. Our audience enjoyed a delicious meal while they discussed the clues, debated motives, and formulated their theories. The cast then returned to the stage for a lively question-and-answer session, where no question was off-limits! Finally, teams put their detective skills to the test, submitting their deductions and explanations. The true murderer made a dramatic confession, and the team with the correct answer and the most compelling reasoning won a prize.
We were absolutely blown away by the enthusiasm and sharp minds of our audiences! Your insightful questions and fantastic energy truly brought the show to life.
Your Support Makes A Difference
Thanks to your incredible support, we raised much-needed funds for some fantastic causes:
- West Haddon: Proceeds will benefit West Haddon All Saints Church, The Village Hall and other local charities.
- Watford Village: Funds raised will contribute to the ongoing maintenance and improvement of the Watford Village Hall.
- Hilmorton: Donations will support the village’s Remembrance Day Commemoration Fund for ex-service men and women, ensuring a fitting tribute to their service.
The Author
The play was written by our very own John Dacombe and once again, he has done an amazing job of turning a local historical event or story into a great murder mystery.
- Keep calm and murder on (WW2)
- Murder at Down Town house, (WW1)
- Death calls time (1920 Gangster) Murder at Pirate Cove (1715 Pirate)
- The Battle that Never Was (British Civil War)
- The Saucy Nancy (1797 – Spithead Mutiny)
- Stand and Deliver (Culworth Gang 1785-6)
John has also written another comedy play about D Day which was performed by the Dunchurch Players.
He takes Inspiration from local and national history led by his interest in history and being a historical reenactor since 1986.
He researches a historical event and uses the historical background for the setting of the plays. He explained that his reason for writing the plays comes from reading other peoples murder mysteries and thinking he could do that and even write better himself. He has also been collecting historical costume to assist with his re-enactment life and has purchased further kit to supply the players with kit and costume, all of which has been a massive benefit for The West Haddon Players. Bravo John