Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift, The Churchill Theatre, Bromley. 12.05.26
It is always a pleasure to be invited back to The Churchill Theatre in Bromley, and especially for a nostalgic murder mystery: Midsomer Murders – The Killings at Badger’s Drift.
I fondly remember growing up with Midsomer Murders on ITV, and the eery theme music that accompanied the credits (thanks to a revival in this evening’s stage version, I will have it in my head for at least the rest of the week). I was interested to learn in advance of this evening’s performance that The Killings at Badger’s Drift was the pilot episode for the TV series when it first started back in 1997. I was definitely too young to watch it then, so with no frame of reference I grabbed my amateur sleuth friend and we headed off to see if we could work out whodunnit ahead of the reveal.
Given its ‘whodunnit’ nature, the production’s website obviously gives away very little:
When well-loved spinster Emily Simpson is found dead in the picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to accept it was an accident. DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering a world of hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries.
With eccentric villagers, shocking twists and an unforgettable reveal, The Killings at Badger’s Drift is a classic whodunnit that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats.
In a real full-circle moment for Daneil Casey, who played Sgt Troy for over 10yrs from 1997 in the TV series, he returns, not to reprise his original role, but to take on the role as DCI Tom Barnaby. He seemed fully at ease in this role, as though he had never left Midsomer County, but it must have been a surreal experience to see someone take on his former role of Sgt Gavin Troy, this time by the highly entertaining James Bradwell.
The pair make a dynamic duo, bouncing off one another to bring the right level of mystery and comedy together. The story is quite easy to follow and relatively fast-paced, which meant there was never a dull moment.
For me there was a lot more humour than I remembered from the TV series, but it was nice to see they were not taking themselves too seriously. Perhaps my favourite part was when DCI Barnaby said ‘I’ve worked here for almost 30yrs, and although I can’t pretend to boast the county has the lowest crime rate…’ It raises a really pertinent point – I’m sure I’m not alone in wondering why there is anyone left/why people would continue to live in Midsomer when there are multiple murders on a regular basis going back years.
It is only a small cast, with all of the wider cast picking up multiple roles. Of particular note was Julie Legrand, who played the persistent and extremely frank Lucy Bellringer, and Chandrika Chevli, who continued the comedy with a great interview scene where she swaps between two roles several times in quick succession.
Although my friend and I felt quite smug that we correctly identified the murderer before the big reveal, there was a twist that (in the words of one of the cast) was a real ‘WOW, I didn’t see that coming’ moment. Part of my surprise came from a place of always thinking Midsomer Murders was a bit PG, whereas this was quite a shocking, sordid revelation, so either I underestimated the TV series, or the stage production has greater licence!
Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening thanks to an expert and professional cast. A special mention to David Woodhead, the Set & Costume Designer, for some really innovative set pieces that helped to bring to life the entire village of Badger’s Drift in a limited space.
Midsomer Murders – The Killings at Badger’s Drift is playing at The Churchill Theatre in Bromley until Saturday 16th May and I can highly recommend a visit. Tickets can be bought here.
