Not a Clue!

Stirling Players have championed many local writers in the last few years and are currently hosting the World Premiere of Not a Clue, written and directed by Bob Charteris. A fun parody of detective novels, TV shows and plays, Not a Clue! brings six vaguely familiar detectives together on an isolated and remote Scottish island.

Called to the island are Inspector Tarôt, played with a flourish by Peter Boyle, who becomes upset if confused with the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot; American Jessica Arrowsmith, played with authority by Ellie Cutbush, who despite being younger and more glamorous has much in common with TV’s Jessica Fletcher, and a kilt clad Tryhard McMorse, played by Peter O’Connor who managed to continue acting despite losing both moustache and eyebrows. Delphinia Elgin-Marbles, played with great character by Janice Phillips has much in common with Miss Marple, while French detective Maigret is gender flipped as a glamorous young woman played by Amanda Walker, who has fun with accents. The final detective, the beautiful if vague Lady Persephone Flimsey (an elegant Melissa Cruikshank) tells us she is distantly related to Lord Peter Whimsy.

Resident on the island are The Master, a former judge, and his housekeeper, named perhaps predictably, Agatha. Michael Balmer plays The Master with great aplomb - having fun madly switching wigs in a bizarre mock court scene, while Janet Weston is lovely as the Glaswegian Agatha, who is a lousy housekeeper but a rather talented barrister.

The set constructors, David Wall and John Woolrych, and scenic painter Ursula Kotara, have given us a rather convincing castle. Costume co-ordinator Moira Joyce has created costumes which set the characters nicely - while pushing slightly into the “odd”. John Woolrych’s lighting and Joe Teakle’s sound combine well to convince us that we are indeed on an island - which predictably becomes even more cut off - due to a storm.

This show has a lovely atmosphere, and appearances from director Bob Charteris before the show and at interval, add to the fun. Bob’s direction is warm and character driven although actors do get caught in straight lines at times.

Fans of detective genre whether in book, small or large screen or on stage, will recognise the many tropes that are played with in this short and sweet comedy, and of course, as we hope, there is a twist in the tail.

Kimberley Shaw