Theatre review: A Spot of Murder - you'll laugh until your face is numb

A Spot of Murder

Whole Theatre

Ngau Chi Wan Civic Centre Theatre

Reviewed: May 1

Written by British playwright Geoff Bamber and directed by local theatre veteran Chan Suk-yi, this Cantonese adaptation had the audience in fits of laughter throughout the performance.

It opens with a flamboyant and psychotic washed-up diva recalling her theatrical past to a young writer before the cast of 10 quirky characters is introduced.

If you're expecting a suspenseful whodunit, you will be disappointed: A Spot of Murder takes an absurd and comical approach to the genre. And it works wonderfully well.

Established performers such as Louis Cheung Kai-chung, Michael Ning Chi-ho and Cecilia Ng Kit-yan deliver convincing portrayals.

Ning (above right, with truncheon), who plays a police officer desperate for a career breakthrough, was great fun with his hilarious expressions and body language.

Although adapted from a British script, director Chan made the Cantonese rewrite relevant to a Hong Kong audience with nods to local issues and puns.

Director Chan worked hard to make the performance an immersive one: he had the actors running up and down the aisles, calling to one another from different parts of the hall, sprinkling water on the front row, and shining torches at the audience.

Sitting through two hours of non-stop laughter was a face-numbing experience.

Gloria Chan

Until May 10