Linley Hopkins, left, Kerry Kievit, Esther Sullivan (front), David Griffin and Sharon Hutchinson rehearsing an earlier Derwent Valley Theatre production.

Local players are back with murder mystery mayhem

THE Derwent Valley Theatre (formerly Derwent Valley Players) is fixing to serve up a hilarious dish of mystery and absolute chaos this week with its latest production, Murder Most Fouled Up, by Nikki Harmon. If you love a fast-paced comedy packed with eccentric characters, secret passageways, and a plot that keeps you guessing, you won’t want to miss this hearty, madcap romp in the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall.

The play drops the audience into the middle of a rather unusual family inheritance crisis. Generations of Randolphs have hidden millions of dollars within the house – and the family has been searching for it ever since. At the latest will reading, the family discovers it has only 24 hours to find the money or go completely penniless. To make matters wilder, the ghosts of the previously murdered relatives are doomed to wander the earthly realm unless the mystery is solved.

From witty dialogue to all-out slapstick, it’s a laugh-a-minute tale of greed. Audiences will see our local acting regulars back on the boards, completely throwing themselves into these larger-than-life roles, along with two new additions to the Derwent Valley Theatre’s stage family: Tim Priest and Albert Palleja. They have fitted right into the madness of rehearsals.

Putting on a show such as this takes an incredibly supportive community and the Derwent Valley Theatre extends its thanks to Craig Farrell MLC, Tyga-FM, New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News, the Lions Club of New Norfolk and the Derwent Valley Council. “Without the ongoing support of these generous supporters, the curtains simply couldn’t go up,” spokesperson Kerry Kievit said.

Murder Most Fouled Up will be staged at the New Norfolk War Memorial Hall, across two weekends this month, starting tomorrow. With matinee and evening sessions available, there is a time to suit everyone:

* Saturday, June 6: 2pm and 7pm
* Sunday, June 7: 2pm
* Saturday, June 13: 2pm and 7pm
* Sunday, June 14: 2pm

How to Book: Secure your seats online today via the Eventbrite website: For those who prefer door sales these will also be available at the Memorial Hall before each performance. Grab your friends, support local arts, and come along to help solve the funniest family feud of the year. Note: The event diary in the New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News incorrectly lists the evening shows as being at 6pm. This should have said 7pm.

To find out more about the Derwent Valley Theatre, contact Kerry on 0409 792 007.

See more Derwent Valley and Central Highlands news online and read our print edition every second Friday. Subscribe to our free daily news email here.

3 Responses

  1. Thank you New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News! for a wonderful article.
    BREAK-A-LEG cast and crew!
    With great applause from afar,
    Your humble playwright
    Nikki Harmon

    1. Thanks Nikki, they have done you proud.
      Thanks also to Kerry Kievit for the original article.

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