The Butler Did It – The Musical
This is the third incarnation of this show and each year has seen improvements and a larger room. After the last two outings of this farce very loosely based on some old Agatha Christie novels, we now have the musical incarnation. The plot is the same and some of the cast look very familiar from previous years.
The story starts with a song about a lost husband (face ripped off by a lion while on safari in Africa), and the widows descent into madness and an evil badger named Geoffrey, which all sets the scene for a weekend at a country manor, and a heinous crime.
Guy Masterson is shot and we have to find out who in the family would profit the most from his death. Was it his daughter, romantically entangled with a money hungry silent movie actor, but still secretly in love with her cousin? Was it perhaps his nephew, son of his mad sister and engaged to the delectable Fifi? And is Fifi all she seems? Was it his brother or sister, both of whom harbour deep secrets and resentments? Will Tiny the dog hold the final clue to the puzzle? Luckily Miss Fanny Marbles the renowned busybody is staying over for the weekend and she has never failed yet in her hunting for a scapegoat, sorry perpetrator.
The songs are all well performed and some of the dancing is very funny, the only problem being the backing music often drowns out the soloists. The singing may not be top class but there a few very good voices and a lot of very bad jokes. The cast used the space in the theatre very well and an entertaining time was had by all. My only complaint is that Fifi was not the girl I was hoping for after the last two years. Let’s just say she was a little less attractive (more manly) than previously. There was very little swearing or violence and this is definitely one to bring the kids along to for an afternoon of farce and fun.
Visit the Fringe Website for booking details.