The Case of the Frightened Lady review: tedious and rambling, yet still quite amusing and entertaining at times

Review: The Case of the Frightened Lady at The Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds

The Case of the Frightened Lady. Photo: Pamela Raith Photography - Credit: Pamela Raith Photography

This Edgar Wallace classic thriller performed by The Classic Thriller Company was tedious and rambling, yet still quite amusing and entertaining at times. It failed to provide the array of talented, well known and experienced cast the opportunity to show their wares to full effect.

So you had the Chief Superintendent (Gray O'Brien) doing a great take of Lt Columbo with mac, often stooped posture and wiping his brow with handkerchief. Gray really enjoyed that role.

The two footmen Gilder and Brook were spooky as they were always listening in and sliding on and off stage like slippery snakes. But they created much laughter.

You still had to guess who the culprit was despite plenty of red herrings to throw you off course.

Now was this really a tongue cheek thriller, not to be taken too seriously, despite the brutal murder of three people?