That icon of Gibsons Landing, Molly’s Reach, the celebrated location of the TV show The Beachcombers, is under attack. Poor Molly hasn’t been able to maintain The Reach since the departure of the CBC. She is in debt and under pressure from the developer, Ronald Crump, to sell the restaurant and make way for a super-sized casino — or was it a water park?
Sounds like a recipe for a murder — or two — when Driftwood Players present Murder at the Reach dinner theatre at various dining venues on the Coast, opening this Friday night, May 16.
Murder mystery theatre is a lot of fun for performers and audiences alike. After tucking into a delicious dinner, the audience is asked to watch the show, examine the clues and solve the mystery for prizes.
A large cast of Driftwood actors taps into their inner ham to entertain, especially Molly’s estranged sister, Dolly (played by Ingrid Bilton), who steals every scene with drama worthy of Scarlett O’Hara.
Dianna Barton plays Molly, and Brian Harbison brings the beachcombing Nick to life, while Relic (Herb Donaldson) grumbles appropriately throughout the play. Jesse (Elvis Pacheco) is still fond of Adelphi (Alexa Houle) who is now the sexy girlfriend of Crump (Aaron Fuller). Fuller gets the prize for the best evil cackle of the play.
Willie Semeniuk as the officious building inspector and Marilyn Browning as a threatening lawyer pester Molly, but Brianna Browman as lottery representative offers Molly hope for a winning ticket.
Stuff happens: the storm washes up a body on the beach, a beam falls on Relic, and an “M” lands on the head of a young woman. A what? That’s for you to figure out.
Sunshine Coasters and friends of Beachcombers are invited to come to Molly’s fundraising gala and help Constable John Constable (played by producer Bill Forst) discover whodunit.
The script was written by a collaboration of five: Ingrid Bilton, Mac Dodge, who is also the director, Bill Forst, Joanne Bennison and Stephen Archibald.
“Fun to do,” said Forst. “Ingrid did the final condensation and much of the specific dialogue.” He explained that it was a bit more of a challenge once rehearsals got going and the writers turned into actors who had to integrate somewhat different visions. “All still friends!” he noted.
Performances of Murder at the Reach begin at the Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club in Roberts Creek on May 16 and 17, then move to Sunnycrest Mall at Boomer’s Burger Bar on May 24 (with a lunch matinée on May 25), Pebbles Restaurant in Sechelt June 6 and 7, back to Gibsons June 13 at Nick’s favourite, Leo’s Greek Restaurant, and last but not least, Madeira Park Community Hall with barbecue salmon by chef Doug Davis on June 14. Choose your venue.
Tickets are $40 for the play plus a meal and dessert, and are available by contacting the restaurant of your choosing. They are also available online at Eventbrite by going to www.driftwoodplayers.ca and clicking on tickets.
