REVIEW: THE PLAYERS GUILD’S “ART OF MURDER” IS MURDEROUS FUN

Oct 20

I’m an artist…never judge me.

Intrigue, dark humour and murderous plots are all at play to open The Players Guild monumental 150th season. Joe DiPietro’s Art of Murder, a 2000 Edgar Award winner for Best Mystery Play, is a comedy murder mystery full of plot twists and turns and laugh-out-loud moments. Director Tamara Kamermans demonstrates her particular knack for and understanding of this genre as she skillfully directs her talented cast throughout this well-paced and enticing production.

The set design is, as per usual, gorgeously detailed with several abstract art pieces reflecting not only the character’s work but of women artists such as Hilma af Klint, an abstract artist who was constantly overshadowed by male artists such as Wassily Kandinsky. There is also a cleverly designed isolation chamber which looms in the corner almost like a character itself. Kamermans and her crew have chosen everything to have meaning, whether to provoke or simply for tongue-in-cheek humour (such as the pre-show, intermission and curtain call music selections). Kamermans has also cast four incredibly distinct actors to handle the layered twists within this narrative and who keep the audience engaged through laughter as they uncover the truth behind the various motives of each character.

Jack Brooks (a hilariously loathsome portrayal by Brad Forbes) is a misogynistic and narcissistic artist/celebrity and his treatment of housekeeper Kate (a delightful and unsuspecting Renata Ona) and his wife Annie (played by the exceptionally conniving Andrea Adcock), make him a likely candidate for murder. Adcock’s character is complex, starting off subservient and resigned then allowing her deep-seated anger and weariness to break through. Her part of story is constantly in motion and we inevitably root for her to do away with her obnoxious husband and restore her identity as an artist and woman.

There is nothing subtle about the Brooks’ art dealer Vincent. Vincent is played with over-the-top flamboyance by Mike Mitton and watching his high-strung, weaselly antics is a highlight of the production. Without giving away too much of the mystery, Vincent walks unwittingly into a set up, but he brings his own baggage, so there isn’t much sympathy for his involvement in this plot either.

Art of Murder is two acts of comedic dysfunction, full of the murder mystery tropes audiences will recognize but fresh enough in its setting and motives to be consistently engaging. It’s just a matter of who gets murdered, and when, and by whom – a delightful way to celebrate the start of the Guild’s 150th season. Don’t miss it!

ART OF MURDER TICKETS