By Susan Dunn
Love a good mystery/spoof? Playwright Patricia Milton has now delivered Accused!, the third, and according to her, the final episode of the Victorian Ladies Detective Collective – an ongoing and entertaining dive into the murder mysteries and the clever ladies who solve them in roles marvelously reprised from their previous episodes.
All scenes take place at a London boarding house run by two rather fierce and self-willed sisters. One is Valeria (Jan Zvaifler), the owner of the house, who is constantly gardening and then baking the pickings into breakfast treats that never get eaten – presumably for a good reason. Next is Loveday (Lauren Dunagan), a younger and attractive dedicated detective who is always correct but tires all around her with her logic and harangues. The opposite of her sister, she is always wearing gloves and cannot imagine digging into the moist and filthy soil of the garden.
” … London is terrorized by a murderer …”
Boarding with the sisters is the ex-pat American actress Katie Smalls (Chelsea Bearce), who helps to resolve the first murder but finds herself framed as the prime suspect for the deadly deed.
She choreographs a defensive and offensive weapons ballet with umbrellas, various fans, and other handy household weapons enhanced by sound effects. As London is terrorized by a murderer, the three work their different wiles to solve the mystery, as other featured characters help build the case.
Filling out the scenes are the gumby-like actor Alan Coyne, portraying three different roles in succession: the plummy Lord Albert, a political authoritarian; Deacon Manley, a preacher with a pugilistic view of religion; and M. Blancmange, the French Perfumier who is smitten with Loveday. Each of these characters has a potential involvement with the murder victim, and is suspected by Allison Tingleberry, the victim’s good associate and the target of a second murder. Sindu Singh switches accents and costumes to portray Tingleberry and also the eye-patched Inspector Perkins, a bruiser of a woman with a heavy Cockney accent.
Director Kimberly Ridgeway keeps the action going in the small and spare set at the Berkeley City Club. A fireplace mantel features a few clues to the proceedings: an oar hung as an art object or keepsake item, a small upholstered Ewe, and a few books. Other production effects such as sound and lighting are used very judiciously. This play relies on quick scenes, costume changes and entrances and exits by the small but nimble cast who keep us engaged with their fast pace, multiple accents and ever-revealing clues.
The most difficult challenge in watching Accused!, agreed to by many, is the desire to munch on scones or cookies or other baked goods at intermission, given the many treat props that are featured in this play. So be sure to get your sugar high before you arrive. Don’t miss the fun at Central Works’ latest world premiere.
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Aisle Seat Review Senior Writer Susan Dunn has been on the executive boards of Hillbarn Theatre, Altarena Playhouse, Berkeley Playhouse, Virago Theatre and Island City Opera, where she is a development director and stage manager. An enthusiastic advocate for new productions and local playwrights, she is a voting member of the SF Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle, and a recipient of a 2015 Alameda County Arts Leadership Award. Contact: [email protected]
| Production | Accused! |
|---|---|
| Written by | Patricia Minton |
| Directed by | Kimberley Ridgeway |
| Producing Company | Central Works |
| Production Dates | Thru Aug 11th |
| Production Address | Berkeley City Club 2315 Durant Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 |
| Website | CentralWorks.org |
| Telephone | (510) 558 -1381 |
| Tickets | $35 - $45 |
| Reviewer Score | Max in each category is 5/5 |
| Overall | 4/5 |
| Performance | 4.5/5 |
| Script | 4.5/5 |
| Stagecraft | 3.5/5 |
| Aisle Seat Review Pick? | YES! |