The Late Edwina Black, penned by William Dinner and William Morum in the early 1940s, is a classic British whodunit. The curtain rises on the sombre living room of Black’s house, the scene set in Victorian times and Edwina Black’s companion, Elizabeth Graham (Georgina Sutton) and housekeeper, Ellen (Katie Evans), relate the story of her recent demise. They await the return of Edwina’s schoolteacher husband, Gregory (Nick Waring) from his morning constitutional walk. His demeanour upon his return is inconsistent with that of a recently-bereaved husband.
In the meantime a knock on the door heralds the arrival of Henry Martin (Richard Walsh) whose position is misunderstood for some time by the three other characters providing some of the many moments of humour in this Ian Dickens production. When it emerges that he is a police officer and is investigating the death of Edwina, the principal characters’ weaknesses come to the fore. The doctor’s death certificate has given rise to suspicion that Edwina’s death was not natural. The killer surely cannot be Edwina’s devoted housekeeper and the policeman has only just arrived at the scene, which leaves only two suspects in this four-hander.
Gregory is a weak character, having clearly been subjugated by the overbearing Edwina whose wealth has allowed the comfortable lifestyle he and her companion have enjoyed. He shares his paranoiac trait with Elizabeth and their relationship, whilst now allowed to flourish, in turn becomes destructive. The plot twists and turns, as a variety of poisoning scenarios are played out, and the audience is skilfully led backwards and forwards between seemingly plausible explanations.
Richard Walsh’s detective is skilfully portrayed. One gains the impression that his mind is whirring as he is about to finish sentence and then another point triggers a telling question.
This is a well-written piece, skilfully cast and played to a large and attentive audience, a first-class production.
