Disappearing diamond part of shady whodunit

Diamond necklaces are all the rage, especially when they do a vanishing act as in Vincent J. Maloney’s latest production.

Slated for a two-day run from April 29 to 30, the whodunit Mystery at Shady Acres requires the audience to wear their thinking caps to help solve this baffling, bumbling caper.

“This is a nice play to do with costumes and the kids really like dressing up. There’s a classic elegance that appealed to them,” says co-director Christine Pearson.

This one-hour production is set in England’s 1930s at a cosy hotel tucked in the remote countryside. The hotel staff is in a tizzy over the upcoming arrival of the ever-so-wealthy and famous Blanche and Edward Fairfax.

But everything is a bit askew from the English Tea Garden Tour to the other wealthy couple, the Brighthams, an elderly duo with a penchant for kleptomania.

With a full slate of colourful and eccentric characters, the questions pile up. Just who is Stanley Larson, the ladies’ man and just why is the mysterious Mr. X skulking around the hotel? And why is Audrey, Edward Fairfax’s former fiancĂ©e staying at the hotel?

Just when hotel manager Mr. Clifford thinks everything is sailing smoothly, Mrs. Fairfax’s priceless diamond necklace is stolen. Everyone has a motive and even the eccentric hotel staff is suspect. Although the police are called right away, their inept attempts botch the investigation.

“It’s a farce. It’s in the spirit of Fawlty Towers,” says director Becky Scobie. “There are zany characters and wacky lines. We just want the audience to be entertained and happy and have an excellent time.”

Pearson is in charge of sets, costumes and gathering unusual props. In addition to having 28 students attired in period costume, she has added a touch of realism by obtaining a maid’s uniform and bellhop’s jacket from the Fairmont Hotel MacDonald, a retro bus driver’s uniform from Edmonton Transit and official chef’s whites from Fantasyland Hotel.

She’s even arranged for an elephant-shaped watering can, a remnant of the Victorian era and created a Styrofoam platter of horribly disgusting overcooked food that is the chef’s signature piece.

Scobie says that the behind-the-scenes “camaraderie” achieved in this production is the energy that drives the show. “To see it translate across the stage is amazing.”

And she encourages the community to support this work. “It’s a nice economical evening out. It’s cheaper than a movie and it’s with live action talent.”

The cast and crew are also collecting non-perishables and/or monetary donations for the St. Albert Food Bank.