[NEohioPAL] Great Review for "Bloody Murder" at CVLT! TWO MORE WEEKENDS!!

[Eric Oswald]

 'Bloody Murder' at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre refreshing as author avoids tiresome conventions 
		
		
		Published: Wednesday, January 26, 2011,  6:35 PM

Once the current production of “Bloody Murder” by Ed Sala kicks into 
gear mid- first act at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, it becomes the 
most refreshing murder mystery you’ll see this year. 

The author is to be thanked for turning the genre on its head and breaking with its tiresome conventions (thank goodness). 

The curtain rises on an English country estate, and even if you’ve 
never seen a murder mystery before, the characters you meet in “Bloody 
Murder” will seem familiar. That’s because the author is well aware that
 they are cliches. 

There’s retired British officer The Major (Rollin Devere), fading 
thespian Tremaine (Steve Ryan), unspoiled ingenue Emma Reese (Tari Lyn 
Bergoine), dowager aunt Lady Somerset (Linda Ryan) and her ne’er-do-well
 nephew Charles (Eric Oswald), and salt-of-the-earth maid Jane (Lisa 
Tarr). 

Lady Somerset has invited the group to her country estate for the 
weekend, but soon she insists that they are all characters in a mystery 
and she is refusing to do what the author wants. 

Linda Ryan as Somerset has some of the best lines in “Bloody Murder,”
 calling attention to the conventions of mystery and commenting on the 
action. Her comic timing is the highlight of the show. 

Also charming is Oswald, capable as Charles, who finds every 
situation delicious. Tarr, as the maid, has some great moments and can 
win the audience with a well-placed look. While you’re counting the 
death toll, keep your eye on Steve Ryan, amusing as Tremaine, drinking 
to abide the prattle of The Major. 

At first the characters seem thrown together and aren’t very 
compelling. Direction that would make more of a distinction between the 
characters playing roles and the characters “being themselves” when they
 break the fourth wall would be helpful. The complexity of this task is 
compounded by the fact that most of the cast also perform goofy, fun 
multiple roles as walk-ons, including a mystery woman, a bumbling 
inspector and others. 

Set, sound and lighting are by Edmond Wolff, who presents a proper 
1930’s English country estate with all its Queen Anne furniture and 
clean lines. Director Douglas Farren could have warmed up this unusual 
production quicker, but eventually got to the meat of this atypical 
mystery production after a clever but unengaging first scene. 
It does all pull together: the quick pace of the second act, plus 
great quips about Americans, mysteries, and theater, redeem the first 
act’s clumsiness. “Bloody Murder” is good fun – for those who like 
murder mysteries, and those who think they don’t. 

“Bloody Murder” runs Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. through 
February 5 at Chagrin Valley Little Theatre, 40 River Street, Chagrin 
Falls. For tickets, call (440) 247-8955 or visit www.cvlt.org. 


      
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