Murder by Chocolate Reviews
Herald Theatre
September 21-29 | Reviewed by Imogen Neale, The Lumiere Reader
HOW TO concoct the perfect, chocolate-laced, murder:
Take one disillusioned romance writer with a Willy Wonka-worthy chocolate addiction. Add an editor cum ‘Elementary my dear Watson’ sidekick called Dorian, a dastardly mother with novel intentions, a transsexual psychic who channels all manner of dead people, a policeman with a nom-de-plume, a Darth Vader ‘Luke I am your father’ moment, a two tiered disappearing chocolate stand and, the most unlikely of murder weapons, a chocolate fish.
Mix thoroughly. Dim the lights. Sit back. Watch it set.
Murder by Chocolate is the latest offering from dynamic Flax Works duo (think Biscuit and Coffee), Alex Ellis and Phil Ormsby. First performed at BATS Theatre in 2007, it’s a quirky quick-fire mix of film noir, Who Framed Roger Rabbit and Bridget Jones’s Diary (minus all the tragic ‘where’s-my-mummy’ boyfriends).
Alex Ellis does a brilliant job with protagonist Felicia Fargo – a disenchanted romance writer who’s decided that literary redemption (least she be forever know as the winner of the most ‘Wet Pillow’ awards) lies in the creation of a truly crafty – and chocolaty – crime novel. Indeed in a scene that sees Felicity getting crawl-on-the-floor drunk on chocolate (having popped her two-tiered chocolate stand up out of her desk) Alex’s acting is pure genius. She flops, she laughs too long and too loud, she gets weak at the knees, she thinks anything and everything is both hilarious and entirely plausible. And, she does it all without causing you to reach that cringe point where you think ‘right. We get it, you’re totally drunk. You can move on now.’
The other characters – Felicia’s haughty mother Margot Fargo, made-for-television psychic Madam Vulnavia, Constable the Policeman, Fesley the embattled publisher and Dorian, Felicia’s right hand man – are all played by Phil Ormsby. Such a diverse catalogue of characters should be a very daunting task – all those different voices, ways of moving, idiosyncratic facial expressions – but Ormsby makes it look effortless. Seamless. To the point that, like the Indian Ink Company’s Krishna’s Dairy, you’re convinced that if you were to venture backstage you’d see all the other characters there, ready and waiting in the wings.
The performance does lag a little in the beginning. Primarily because it spends too long developing Felicia’s predicament – her writing, her chocolate addiction and her very strained relationship with her mother. But once her novel (and thus the murder mystery) is underway, well the best description I can think of is ‘totally mad-cap.’ So much so that before you know it the curtain is falling (so to speak) and the murderer has been served their just desserts.
Aided (and abetted) by clever, very purposeful lighting and a well crafted, flexible, set, Murder by Chocolate is a highly entertaining murder caper that confirms Alex Ellis and Phil Ormsby have talent to burn.
Murder By Chocolate
Bay of Plenty Times
Date: 27th June 2007
Venue: 16th Ave Theatre
A ROMANCE writer whose books are torrid and just a little bit kinky with a penchant for chocolate and the dream of becoming a world renowned murder mystery novelist intrigued?
A mere description of this play left me captivated and wanting more.
It didn’t disappoint. The sharp, witty dialogue rife with sexual innuendoes and overflowing with chocolate had me in fits. The play takes the form of a typical whodunit but it’s the pop culture references that make it fresh. Alex Ellis was excellent in the role of Felicia Fargo. Phil Ormsby displayed his acting talent, portraying several characters from the overbearing self involved mother, Margot Fargo, to the camp assistant Dorian.
Murder by Chocolate is a brilliant play which tantalizes throughout and I thoroughly recommend this to everyone, of any age.
- Jacqueline Tran Van.
Murder by Chocolate
The Daily Post
Directed by Caitlin Dullard
At Shambles Theatre until June 14
Reviewed by Alison Brown
Duo milk chocolate whodunnit for mirth, mayhem
If theatre is like a box of chocolates, then Murder by Chocolate is the Belgian variety – deliciously dark and decadent.
The play is the latest offering from Tauranga thespians Alex Ellis and Phil Ormsby, who impressed three years ago with Biscuit and Coffee.
They’re back touring with another self-scripted creation, but unlike Biscuit and Coffee (which showcased Ellis’ extraordinary talent), this is a light-hearted tribute to the classic murder mystery. Ellis shines again, this time as Felicia Fargo, a disenchanted novelist who wants to trade the fluff of romance for the gritty world of crime writing.
They’re back touring with another self-scripted creation, but unlike Biscuit and Coffee (which showcased Ellis’ extraordinary talent), this is a light-hearted tribute to the classic murder mystery. Ellis shines again, this time as Felicia Fargo, a disenchanted novelist who wants to trade the fluff of romance for the gritty world of crime writing.
Their fast and witty dialogue is offset by simple lighting devices and a flexible set featuring a two-tiered disappearing chocolate stand. They aren’t afraid to get physical, with hilarious scenes involving Ellis crawling around drunk on chocolate and Ormsby filling his face with chocolate mousse. As performers, is there anything this pair can’t do?
Overall, this is 90 minutes of clever comedy that had me laughing out loud.
Like devouring your favourite chocolate treat, Ellis and Ormsby leave you wanting more and prove, if nothing else, that chocolate is perhaps the most fatal of all known comforting confections.