Let’s face it, if you were looking to settle in an idyllic spot in the country you would avoid the county of Midsomer like the plague.
As devotees of the TV series Midsomer Murders will testify, it has a homicide rate which must make it the murder capital of the UK.
Based on the novels by Caroline Graham, Midsomer Murders has become one of the most popular TV detective series of all time - some 26 series have been filmed - centred around on the exploits of first DCI Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles, and his trusty sidekick Sergeant Troy and more recently DCI John Barnaby, played by Neil Dudgeon.
Now Midsomer Murders is taking to the stage for the first time with The Killings at Badgers Drift currently at Manchester Opera House.
Rhîan Crowley-McLean plays a variety of roles in the show and says that the whole tour, which began last year, has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
“The main thing with it being new piece of theatre is that with every venue you are going to it’s fresh,” she said. “Nobody has seen it before.
“There’s obviously the expectation of the TV programme so for people who have seen that, there will be a familiarity but in terms of it as a piece of theatre it’s not as though you have seen another cast do this.
“I think the style of theatre is quite fresh compared to a lot of what we have at the moment.
“When you think of murder mysteries they can often be quite serious and quite dark whereas this captures the essence of the television programme perfectly; it is quintessentially British, it is wonderfully grotesque in that way; it’s funny but it’s got heart.”
For devotees of the TV series, the stage show will be familiar territory in that a well-loved spinster is found dead and her friend refuses to accept it was an accident and it’s up to DCI Barnaby and Sgt Troy to arrive at the truth.
In a twist which would be worthy of the plot itself, Barnaby is played by Daniel Casey who was the original Sergeant Troy in the TV production, featuring in seven series. Troy is played by James Bradwell.
“One of the things which really surprises people is how small the cast is for how many characters there are,” said Rhian.
Rhian herself plays three different residents of Midsomer but she’s also cover for all the other female characters on the show.
“That’s 12 parts I have to cover which could amount to 42 costume and wig changes if you add it all up,” she said. “In rehearsals it can be a bit daunting and you wonder how you can do it all but now, having been on the road, we know how it’s going to happen.
“Apart from Barnaby and Sergeant Troy, all the cast play multiple characters. It can be funny at the curtain call because the audience hasn’t realised that and they are wondering where the rest of the cast are when we all line up.
“My mother came to see the show and she’s a keen theatregoer but she didn’t realise that we were playing several roles.”
Audiences around the country have been loving being presented a live dose of Midsomer Murders.
“It is a show full of surprises,” said Rhian. “It’s wonderfully entertaining and you come away having had a good night at the theatre. It’s also very knowing and perhaps doesn’t take itself too seriously at times. Audiences have so much familiarity with the TV series and the characters, it kind of offers an audience a warm hug - even though there might be the odd murder thrown in!”
The stage production is based on the pilot episode of the TV show which, amazingly, was broadcast 29 years ago.
“People who know that episode will know the storyline,” said Rhian, “but if you don’t know it or even don’t know anything about Midsomer Murders it doesn’t affect anything.”
In bringing such a well-loved TV show to the stage, do the cast feel a certain responsibility?
“I think maybe more so for Dan (Casey) who originated the role of Troy in the TV series,” said Rhian. “Our responsibility is to make sure that audiences enjoy it and from the feedback we have had from every theatre we have visited, we know that it’s gone down so well.”
The show has also had the seal of approval from John Nettles, the original TV Barnaby.
“He came to see us in Truro and said he loved it,” said Rhian. “It’s always nice when you get that positive feedback.”
Although known as being a leading Welsh actor, the show’s stay in Manchester offers a chance for Rhian to catch up on her roots.
“My dad was from Manchester and I was actually born in Burnley,” she said, “although we only lived in Padiham for a few weeks before moving.”
And she’s delighted to be back in the area with a special show.
“If you want to be entertained, have fun and forget real life for a couple of hours Midsomer Murders will offer that to you,” she said.
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift, is at Manchester Opera House until Saturday, May 30. Details from www.atgtickets.com
