Lord Arthur Savile's Crime

Lord Arthur has his palm read and discovers that it is in his future that he will be a murderer. Lord Arthur wants to marry, but decides he has no right to do so until he has gotten the murder out of the way first.

His first attempted murder victim is his Aunt Clementina, who has severe heartburn and serves little to no purpose in society. Pretending it is medicine, Lord Arthur gives her a capsule of poison, telling her to take it only when she has stomach problems.

Reading the newspaper some time later, he finds that she has died, and victoriously returns to London, only to find out that she had dies of natural causes, and had bequeathed him some property after his considerate gift.

Sorting through the inheritance, he finds the poison pill, untouched, and finds himself in need of a new victim. After much deliberation, he obtains a bomb from a friendly German, disguised as a carriage-clock, and sends it anonymously to a distant relative, the Dean of Paddington. When the bomb goes off, however, the only damage done seems like a novelty trick, and the Reverend's son spends his afternoons making tiny, harmless explosions with the clock.

In despair, Lord Arthur believes that his marriage plans are doomed, only to encounter the same chiromantist (not to be confused with a chiropodist) who had told his fortune. Realizing the best possible outcome, he pushes the man off a parapet into the River Thames, where he dies. The death is ruled an accident, and Lord Arthur happily goes on to marry.

In a slight twist, the chiromantist is denounced as a total fraud, leaving it up to the reader as to whether the story is a result of free will or destiny.

The final show last night was received by a full house in The Mill last night. Well done to all who made this show such a success

1 Mar 08

More Reviews have been received. Photos of the show have been posted

28 Feb 08

The first Review is in!!

Well done all on your opening night!

And from the “Wings” :-

61 chuckled their way through the opening night last night as the cast of Victorian Ladies and Gents "bustled" their way through the show supported by a calm but crazy back stage crew highly in control of the comedy 'cans'. Post show wind down was buzzing as "Darcy" held court in the corner of the bar. We eagerly await the scribings from the two crits in the audience and all are geared up for a second performance this evening ....Tickets are selling fast - book your now!

24 Feb 08

WELL it’s built (thanks RA, PB, NL, CT, PA, PD, GH, JC + friend) ... and lit (thanks JS, Mrs JS and LS) … the furniture’s looking grand (thanks JR) … and the frocks are fabulous (thanks JR and JS) .. the props are shining and sparkling (thanks JB, NC) .. and the music is magical (thanks MN). All it needs now is an audience ... and if you need any encouragement to come I’ll just say if you don’t, you’ll miss the grandest fireplace BCP has ever put on a stage! See you all at the Dress on Tuesday – 7.45pm.

1 Feb 08

DESPERATELY SEEKING

WANTED a period looking 3 piece suite (3 seater settee) suitable for Lord Arthur. If you have, or know, where we might borrow/hire/steal please let Jayne Buzzard (via email ) in on your secret. It will be well looked after and would be needed from Sat 23 Feb to Sun 2 Mar. We will collect.

31 Jan 08

The play has developed well and is proving to be a bigger success than even I first thought it would be!!!!

However to really promote it we need your help. Can you give an hour or two of your time on Saturday 16 Feb in the Castle Quay to hand out flyers.

This marketing approach was employed to great effect for the pantomime and it is felt that the Society's profile should be maintained in the public's mind.

We would like to have a presence in Castle Quay from about 8.45am to around 3.00pm, depending on the number of members who come along to help.

Please e-mail me (or the website) by to let me know how you wish to support the society and the production.

Many Thanks

Terry

8 Jan 08

A report from the wings

In the absence of our revered chairman (get well soon, June!), the part of Lady Clem has been read-in by various people. The role of understudy must definitely go to Baines (Neil) whose "mince" and falsetto tones seemed to be achieved without any delicate parts of his anatomy being squeezed!

The fearsome and upright Lady Julia (Annie) seems to have developed a tendency to lean to the right when delivering her edicts. Perhaps this is the result of spending too much time reading the Daily Telegraph (or helping the Dean (Bob) to do the DT cryptic crossword).

Bob has "learnt" his lines for Act I - chaos has ensued!! (ask anyone who has ever acted with Bob to explain!).

Act 1 blocked and well rehearsed despite the odd absence due to the Christmas festivities of various cast members. We start on Act 2 on Monday 7th Jan 08.

Richard is busy building flats for the production and in mid January we will need a small crew to paint these in order to fire proof them before set painting can start.

12 Dec 07

During rehearsal for Act 1, Neil had a Freudian slip, his line reads, when discussing Podgers powers as a palmist as:

Baines Oh, no my lord. Forgery, larceny, burglary and bigamy are things he unhesitatingly exposes.

Neil's Version

Baines Oh, no my lord. Forgery, larceny, burglary and buggery are things he unhesitatingly exposes.

Given that it was Oscar Wilde who wrote the original story was this a subconscious twist on things ?

8 Dec 07

BCP do not rest! - Lord Arthur (as the production is now affectionately known) started rehearsals this week. Far too early for any anecdotes at this time.

13 Nov 07

Lord Arthur cast list has been announced.

10 Nov 07

Shhh . . . Don’t tell anyone - but I do believe a casting announcement will be made soon !

6 Nov 07

Auditions were extremly well attended last night - I counted 12 Auditionees! This Thursday (8th Nov) sees the second Open Audition evening for BCP

3 Nov 07

After the successful Tuesday “Read Through” - for Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime the auditions this Tuesday with Open Auditions on Thursday 8 November.

Show your interest early - talk about the show for the whole season!!