Inspector Drake and the Black Widow
by David Tristram
June 2009

The Show

When oil tycoon John Johnson is found with a huge sword in his back, it looks like a straightforward case of dying illegally. But things in Drake's world are never as they seem. Why was Johnson badly disguised as his own wife? Why had he eaten a tortoise? And why do all the women in the house look similar?
For once, Seargeant Plod thinks he knows all the answers. And so he should. After all, he's relating the events through a sries of flashbacks, so he knows how it all ends. But if Plod is right, the legendary Inspector Drake is about to make a terrible mistake...

The Cast

Inspector Drake was played by Mark Cox
Seargeant Plod was played by Hugh Farey
The Maid, Lady Devonshire, Dr Foster, Amy Mallard, Miss Marble, Lolita and the Zoo Lady were all played by Ann Smith

Directed by Barbara Hockley
with enormous help & support from Sally Handley

The Crew & Credits

Lighting: Greg Swinford and Boz Farey
Sound: Greg Swinford
Stage Crew: Sally Handley & Barbara Hockley
Set Design: Barbara Hockley
Set Construction: Trevor Smith
Set Painting/Dressing: Barbara Hockley & Christine Hall
Props; Sally Handley
Costumes: Jenny Shortland, Alison Stobart
Photos by Jim Rolt
Some sound effects by The Flying Ducks / David Tristram

The Review

OTR July 2009
What you have to remember is that generally when I watch a comedy the closest I’ll get to showing I think something is funny (if indeed it is) will be to smile quietly to myself. It is probably my age, but I just don’t think comedies are funny these days – we have endless conversations about the Two Ronnies, Porridge, Only Fools and Horses, etc., and reminisce about funny shows and programmes we used to have. At that 6.30pm time on Radio 4 – someone can usually be heard in our house saying ‘is this supposed to be funny?’ Mind you thinking about the ‘old days’ I could never stand Brian Rix and his farces – so irritating I always wanted to shout at the stage!
It was with some trepidation then that we went along to the Conquest to see Inspector Drake and the Black Widow. I have to tell you it was HILARIOUS. I haven’t laughed that much for years and we weren’t alone as a nicely packed audience all thought so too. We laughed until we cried. We had to hold on to each other and when we walked home afterwards we were still laughing! In fact we were quite exhausted from all that mirth – and not just a quiet smile either – uproarious, loud laughter.
This was a fantastic production – brilliantly acted with a super set. There was not one hitch, awkward moment or a time when I needed to glance at my watch to see if it might be the interval coming up. This was packed with action, twists in the plot, ludicrous, ridiculous moments when I would defy anyone to not have been practically on the floor with laughter. The cast of three – Hugh Farey as Sergeant Plod, Mark Cox as Inspector Drake and Ann Smith as…………… well, I think you had to be there to know just what Ann did do – had perfect timing and outstanding stage presence. I’m afraid to say that I don’t think I can explain what the plot was about suffice it to say it was a murder investigation and if I told you what we were laughing at I don’t think you would find it funny. You had to be there (as they say) – but imagine a typical drawing room investigation in a country house and add to that incompetent police, double meanings, plays on words and general chaos and you may be getting there.
As the two men investigate the unravelling plot they somehow manage to cause more murders and gradually all suspects are removed from the equation through their own incompetence. There is something very strange happening, however, in that whilst questioning each member of the household everyone except the bungling inspector knows it is the same person. It is only when he demands to see the triplets (‘how many are there?’) that all at once that panic ensues. It is just testimony to his dire inability to investigate anything that he doesn’t see that they aren’t exactly ‘identical’.
An excellent evening – brilliantly directed by Barbara Hockley and the best sound effects I’ve heard for a long time from Greg Swinford. I would like to thank everyone involved for such an entertainment – let us remind ourselves we are still in Bromyard, not the West End! MS
PS. I’ve googled David Tristram and see he’s written several other Inspector Drake stories – PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE can we have some more?

Pictures of inspector Drake and the Black Widow in rehearsal

Click any thumbnail to see a larger version