Midsomer Murders

“Murder, mayhem and mischief abound as Midsomer Murders proves delightfully deadly on stage.”

There is something wonderfully comforting about Midsomer Murders. Perhaps it is the idyllic English villages, perhaps the gloriously eccentric characters, or perhaps simply the knowledge that no village fête, garden society or parish meeting is ever more than moments away from a grisly murder.

At Darlington Hippodrome, Caroline Graham’s Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift delivers all of that and more in a stage production that is enormous fun from beginning to end.

Based on the original novel that inspired the long-running television phenomenon, the story begins when elderly villager Emily Simpson dies in suspicious circumstances. Her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to believe it was an accident, prompting Inspector Barnaby and Sergeant Troy to uncover a tangled web of secrets, rivalries and long-buried scandals lurking beneath the picture-postcard beauty of Badger’s Drift.

What makes this production so enjoyable is its willingness to lean into the humour. While the television series often plays things with a straight face, this adaptation, perfectly directed by Guy Unsworth, revels in its theatricality, sprinkling the mystery with knowing comedy, quick-fire character changes and moments of genuine laugh-out-loud silliness without ever undermining the central whodunnit. Fans of the TV series will adore the affectionate nods throughout.

Leading the cast is Daniel Casey — beloved by audiences as the original Sergeant Troy in the television series — now stepping into the shoes of Inspector Barnaby with tremendous charm and gravitas. Alongside him, James Bradwell brings boundless energy and comic timing to Troy, the pair developing a wonderfully warm partnership that anchors the increasingly bizarre events around them.

The supporting cast are superb throughout, many juggling multiple roles with dazzling speed and precision. Julie Legrand is particularly memorable, effortlessly shifting between comic eccentricity and village gossip, while Chandrika Chevli is brilliant playing both passion driven lovers Barbara AND Dickie.  The entire ensemble ensure that there’s never a lull as they embrace the delicious absurdity of Midsomer’s body count with infectious enthusiasm.

The staging is inventive, the pace brisk, and the audience reaction suggested many were already trying to solve the mystery long before the final reveal.

This is not dark Scandinavian noir; it is something far more enjoyable — a witty, playful and gloriously entertaining evening of murder mystery theatre that leaves audiences smiling as much as gasping.

Midsomer Murders is playing at Darlington Hippodrome until May 23^rd – tickets from www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk