The Stretton Players production of Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime opens at The Silvester Horne Institute in Church Stretton from this evening.

The three act play based on a short story by Oscar Wilde and adapted for the stage by Constance Cox. The black comedy tells the story of a man who is tricked into committing a murder before he can marry the love of his life.

It is only a matter of weeks until the marriage of Lord Arthur Savile to the beautiful Miss Sybil Merton. Everything is in place for the society wedding of the year, that is until Lord Arthur is introduced to Mr Podgers, by his future mother-in-law. Convinced by the shady palmist that he must commit a murder, he resolves to protect the honour of Miss Merton and commit the dastardly act before his wedding day. With his trusty manservant, Baines, by his side, Lord Arthur must now decide on who to kill and how?

First published in 1887, Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime has been adapted several times for stage, film and television, including a 1960 Armchair Theatre production for ABC Television, starring Terry Thomas.

Director, Ray Philpotts is excited to be taking on the show: “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime has become a firm favourite with audiences around the country. Wilde’s tale of how the power of suggestion can destroy a man’s life is brought to life with hilarious consequences by Constance Cox’s script. We are lucky enough, at the Stretton Players, to be able to call upon actors from as far afield as Shrewsbury and Clun. This promises to be an unmissable evening’s entertainment.”

The Stretton Players, formerly The Dorrington Players, held their first production in 1931 and have performed every May and November since. Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime follows on from the success of their May production of The Real Inspector Hound, by Tom Stoppard.

Tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/strettonplayers.

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime is performed at The Silvester Horne Institute, Church Stretton, 7.30pm, 17-19 November 2016. Tickets £8.00 (half price for under 16s).

Article by: Jenna Feasey