Crowthorne and Sandhurst

Crowthorne Amateur Theatrical Society is performing “Secondary Cause of Death” by Peter Gordon at the Crowthorne Parish Hall in Heath Hill Road South on Thursday, 30th March, Friday 31st, Saturday 1st April at 7.30pm.

“Secondary Cause of Death” is the sequel to Peter Gordon's hit comedy thriller “Murdered to Death” performed by Crowthorne CATS to great acclaim a few years ago. Set in 1939, storm clouds are gathering over Europe. Having inherited Bagshot House, Colonel Charles Craddock has converted the property into a hotel for the discerning visitor. Soon Inspector Pratt arrives once again at Bagshot House, bearing grim news for Colonel Craddock.

But that's just the beginning - who is the strange Polish Count? Is Henrietta really an army captain? And where does the flamboyant Cardew Longfellow fit into the picture?

When Joan Marple's sister Cynthia arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, it's not long before Pratt's visit turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher than ever!

Director Michael Moonesinghe comments “This is the first time that both myself and my assistant director, Luke Burton, have directed a play for Crowthorne CATS, although we are both active members of the society. It is proving to be just as rewarding as we hoped that it would be.

The weekly rehearsals are great fun and no matter how many times that we hear the play, we still end up laughing along with the script. Timing is vital for a lot of the comic scenes to work and we are working hard at the moment to perfect this.

A few old hands had advised me that being the director of a play was not dissimilar to being the conductor of an orchestra; our job is not to try and teach the cast how to act but to put our own interpretation on the script and to bring out the talents of the very able team. With such an experienced cast of very talented actors it was a bit daunting at first, like standing up in front of the London Philharmonic Orchestra twice a week. Everyone has been very supportive, from the cast to the production crew. I feel sure that we will produce a play of the highest standards that everyone will be very proud of”.

Chairman Geraint Morris adds “Following on from the success of “Murdered to Death” in 2002, this is another chance to see how not to solve a mystery the Inspector Clouseau way!”

This is a hilarious comedy that will have the audience laughing out loud from the very beginning until the surprise ending!

Background details

“Secondary Cause of Death” by Peter Gordon, by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd
Directed by Michael Moonesinghe. Assisted by Luke Burton.
Tickets £7.50 each, concessions £6.00 each.
Tickets available from
Playhouse Cleaners, Dukes Ride and P & S News, High Street, Crowthorne,
From the Crowthorne CATS box office on 01344 761957
By emailing boxoffice@catswebsite.co.uk
Web: www.catswebsite.co.uk