Shadowlands brothers reunite for Neston Players’ production of Prescription for Murder

Oct 26 2011 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

NESTON Players’ Shadowlands brothers will be reunited for the theatre company’s next production.

The Players are staging Prescription for Murder by Norman Robbins at Neston Civic Hall next month.

Two of its leading lights, Michael Kennedy and Gordon Wallis – who played C.S Lewis and his brother Warnie in the Players’ award-winning production of Shadowlands – are taking to the stage again for the gripping crime thriller.

Michael said: “Our characters in Prescription for Murder are about as far removed from the cosy world of 1950s Oxford academia as it’s possible to be.

“But it’s great fun and a great challenge as actors to get your teeth into roles so entirely different – and obviously it’s an absolute pleasure to be performing with Gordon again.”

Prescription for Murder follows busy Dr Richard Forth, who has an awkward yet close friendship with his ex-girlfriend, while his wife Barbara is chronically and mysteriously ill.

Richard believes her symptoms are psychological, but when a stranger claims to have known Richard’s second fiancée, a woman Richard says does not exist, Barbara’s health worsens.

It soon becomes apparent somebody is out to kill her – and anyone else who gets in their way.

Gordon, who won the NODA North West Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Shadowlands, said: “The play is an absolute corker in terms of keeping the audience guessing right up until the final scene.

“Michael’s character is suspected of killing his first wife and could possibly be trying to murder his second – but it’s all half-truths, rumour and gossip – all of which will hopefully keep the audience on the edge of their seats until the final curtain.”

Director Cliff Inns, who directed the Neston Players’ production of Comfort and Joy last year, said: “Prescription for Murder has all the hallmark traits of the classic British whodunnit – a country house, an eclectic collections of characters, countless red herrings and a brilliant twist in the tail.

“The Players’ haven’t staged an out and out thriller for quite a while and we are all looking forward to bringing a sense of mystery and suspense to our audiences this November.”

l Performances run from Wednesday, November 9 to Saturday, November 12 and start at 7.30pm (doors open at 7pm).

Tickets are £5/6. Call the box office on 0800 4118881 or buy online at www.brownpapertickets.com/event/198371