St Peter’s Hill Players Unveil High-Energy Comedy Classic

St Peter’s Hill Players captivated audiences with their latest production, the screwball comedy Arsenic and Old Lace, which premiered at the Guildhall Arts Centre on October 10, 2023. This performance marks a departure from their previous hard-edged play, The Thrill of Love, showcasing a lighter, yet still darkly humorous side of theatre.

The play, made famous by the 1944 film starring Cary Grant, combines elements of high energy and black comedy, focusing on a series of murders orchestrated by seemingly sweet old ladies. In the role of Mortimer Brewster, theatre critic and central character, Daniel Ferguson delivered a dynamic performance, skillfully navigating a range of emotions, particularly horror as he discovers multiple dead bodies in the Brewster household.

Mortimer becomes engaged to his girlfriend Elaine, portrayed by Rachel Armitage. Their relationship undergoes significant turmoil as Mortimer grapples with the shocking realities of his aunts’ actions. The aunts, played expertly by Lis Connor and Sharon Antony, are portrayed as innocent, religious women who commit murders under the guise of mercy, adding a layer of dark humor to the play.

As the plot unfolds, two additional characters emerge: Mortimer’s long-lost brother Jonathan and his dubious companion, Dr. Einstein. Paul Keenan embodies Jonathan as a grotesque figure resembling a monster, complete with facial scars from a surgery intended to alter his appearance. Meanwhile, Andy Antony delivers an intriguing performance as Dr. Einstein, evoking the timid, eerie tones reminiscent of Peter Lorre, who famously played the role in the original film.

The production continues tonight, October 10, at 19:30, and again tomorrow at 14:30 at the Guildhall Arts Centre in Grantham. Tickets are available for purchase at the Guildhall box office or online at www.guildhallartscentre.com. This lively rendition of Arsenic and Old Lace promises to deliver not only laughs but a thrilling theatrical experience for all attendees.