Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger's Drift

Way back in 1997, The Killings at Badger’s Drift was the very first episode of what became a much loved and long running television series, Midsomer Murders. In the intervening years, the beautiful county of Midsomer has seen numerous murders, making it, I’m sure, one of the most dangerous place to live in England and Wales.

When well-loved spinster Emily Simpson is found dead in her cottage in Badger’s Drift, a picturesque village of flower shows and church fetes, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to accept it was an accident. DCI Barnaby and Sergeant Troy are called in to investigate, and in the course of their investigation uncover a village secretly torn apart by hidden passions, long-buried secrets, affairs, cruelty and deadly rivalries.

Daniel Casey (who created the role of Sergeant Troy in ITV’s Midsomer Murders) takes on the role of Inspector Tom Barnaby, starring opposite James Bradwell as Sergeant Gavin Troy, in the world premiere of Guy Unsworth’s stage adaptation of The Killings at Badger’s Drift. Tom Barnaby is a detective who is calm and methodical with no backstory or chaotic personal life. In fact he is so ‘normal’ that his character is the perfect foil to the other eccentrics that populate the play. Sergeant Troy spends much of the play with a note book in hand looking both pensive and thoughtful.

The population of Midsomer residents are played by an adaptable cast who each take multiple roles. Julie Legrand is a brilliant Mrs Bellringer, feisty and forthright in equal measure but maybe not so strong as Phillis Cadell which to be fair is a much smaller but no less important part. Butter wouldn’t melt in your mouth Nathalie Barclay is the charming bride-to-be Katherine Lacey, fiercely protective of her laidback brother Michael, played by Rupert Sadler who also takes the part of Dennis Rainbird, the camp undertaker. John Dougall is excellent as both Dr Lessiter and wheelchair bound Henry Trace, but his starring character really has to be as the busybody Iris Rainbird. The Rainbirds make the most of their characters with some truly laugh out loud dialogue and singing.

This adaptation by Guy Unsworth is very clever, verging on parody and much tongue-in-cheek comedy, whilst the set design by David Woodhead combine to create a very entertaining production. The comedy theme runs throughout the performance ranging from the ghostly figures in forensic suits waltzing to the familiar Midsomer theme music to Troy recreating the murder scene using a selection of garden gnomes. Whilst being formally interviewed by DCI Barnaby and Sergeant Troy Chandrika Chevli (Barbara Lessiter, Dr Bullard, Dickie Whiteley) turns to the left and the right switching between her characters of Barbara Lessiter and Dickie Whiteley, each turn reveals half and half differing costumes. All very clever and all very funny. Even the set changes raised audience laughter.

A thoroughly entertaining evening that will keep you guessing whodunnit until the very end.

Sheffield Lyceum Theatre Until Saturday 29 November