MURDER IN MIND by Terence Feely
Venue: Richmond 1981

Cast
Nyree Dawn Porter
Richard Todd
Geoffrey Davies
Philip Lowrie

Review
The Stage:  R.B. Marriott

When Mary comes home suddenly, after being involved in an air crash at Heathrow, she discovers three people in her mansion. But are they really who they claim to be - Jack, Peter and Stella - or is Mary suffering from some traumatic mental blockage or forgetfulness? These are the pivots of Terence Feely's new thriller, with a heap of money and valuable antiques as adornments. Then there is a further question. Is the local doctor in league with Jack, Peter and Stella, if the little crowd are up to no good?

Feely certainly leads his characters, and his audience, a right old dance, a lot of it being fascinating and amusing. Only in the first act are there sagging moments. There is a good deal of tricky, intricate talk and plotting, for the most part adroitly managed. Feely is an expert at crafting a scene, adept at a quick surprise, soon over but surely effective. Poor Mary, it seems, hardly knows whether she is coming or going, and with the three constantly at her heels or in her hair she is decidedly in a rum situation.

How it all turns out must naturally be kept quiet. Murder in Mind is an enjoyable concoction, smoothly directed by Anthony Sharp in a baronial setting by Graham Brown, and is played for all it's worth, and some more by Nyree Dawn Porter, Roy Dotrice, Geoffrey Davies, Moira Redmond, Philip Lowrie, Basil Hoskins, Anthony Sharp and Paul Fryer.

Host's note: Richard Todd had replaced Roy Dotrice by the time this production arrived in Richmond. Originally Joan Collins had been billed to play Nyree Dawn Porter's role. Whether Joan actually played it at any point is not known.