Midsomer Murders- the Killings at Badgers Drift- Derby theatre

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The television series is something of a cult show now, as a packed Wednesday night demonstrated. All of the ingredients which make this murder mystery so compelling on screen were here on the stage. Strange goings on in a picture postcard setting, wry humour and exaggerated, eccentric characters.

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This was  Caroline Graham’s  first Inspector Barnaby novel, The Killings at Badger’s Drift, was published in 1987.  and was named by the Crime Writers’ Association as one of “The Top 100 Crime Novels of All Time”. It also won the 1989 Macavity Award for “Best First Novel” and was nominated for the same honour at the 1989 Anthony Awards and the 1988 Agatha Awards. Her expertise as a novelist and dramatist is well demonstrated in this offering.

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Daniel Casey plays the lead role of DCI Tom Barnaby, although  on screen he plays the part of Sgt Gavin Troy this time played by  James Bradwell introduced amusingly as “his apprentice”.

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The plot unfolds around the death of spinster Emily and sex in the bushes. A visually pleasing pastoral set  by Dave Woodhead allows slick lightning fast set changes complete with “magic carpet” technology.

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The plot, characters and scenery move with ruthless precision, as alibis, lies and red herrings are laid bare. Of course it is all ridiculous, Caroline Graham knew it, the cast know it, and we the audience know it- but that does not stop us all signing up for the ride.  We wallow in the absurdity, warmed by the sincerity and gentleness of touch, reassured by the familiar music. Matt Haskin’s lighting is bright to the point of glaring, teasing us that we are on a film set, deliberately artificial.

Each act runs for an hour in this glorious homage to a bygone age that never was. Runs until Sat 28^th and continues on nationwide tour. Essential viewing for all devotees of the series.

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