“Secondary Cause of Death” by Peter Gordon (April 2018).
Secondary Cause of Death is the eagerly-anticipated sequel to the author’s hit comedy thriller Murdered to Death. It’s now 1939, and storm clouds are gathering over Europe. Having inherited Bagshot House, Colonel Charles Craddock has converted the property into a hotel for the discerning visitor. Soon Inspector Pratt arrives once again at Bagshot House, bearing grim news for Colonel Craddock. But that’s just the beginning – who is the strange Polish Count? Is Henrietta really an army captain? And where does the flamboyant thespian Cardew Longfellow fit into the picture? When Joan Maple’s sister Cynthia arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, it’s not long before Pratt’s visit turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher than ever!
Cast
Lady Isadora Pollock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Julie
Count Puchlik (a Polish gentleman). . . . Gary
Colonel Charles Craddock (retired) . . . Jason
Captain Henrietta Woolmer-Cardington. . . .
. . . . (an ATS officer). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lucy
Cynthia Maple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nicola
Cardew Longfellow (a thespian). . . . . . Jason
Martha Armstrong (housekeeper). . . . Becky
Larry Tuthill (chef) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ross
Inspector Pratt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Luke
Nurse Ann Parsley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jess
Woman . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann
Production Team
Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ron
Assistant Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ross
Stage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Denise
Assistant Stage Managers. . . . . Gordon, Ben
Set design and Construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cynthia, Nick and team
Lighting and Sound Design . . . . . . . . . . Jason
Lighting and Sound Technician . . . . . Daniel
Publicity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie and team
Costumes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jane
Make-up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jo
Programme Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gill
Production Assistants and Continuity . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ann, Carol
Stunt Double for Mr. Longfellow . . . . . . Ben
Front of House. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Helen
Compere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Nick
Acknowledgements
BaCStage would like to thank the following, without whose help this production would not have been possible:
Our sponsors: Elglaze Ltd, Earith ~ Bluntisham Service Station ~ Bluntisham Butchers ~ Earith Timber Products Ltd ~ Cole & Day, Somersham
Jespal Singh (equipment transportation)
BAWDS Drama Group and Combined Actors of Cambridge (loan of props)
Emmaus (loan of furniture) ~ Aladdin’s Cave (costumes)
Bluntisham Parish Council ~ Impressions Village Scene
The Herald, the newsletter of the Meridian Benefice
Our thanks also to the groups who were unable to use their usual accommodation at the Village Hall during production week:S Stopps – Ballroom dancing, Badminton Club
Tracey Davidson (Cambsfit – HIIT, Pilates and Zumba)
Badminton Club, Barbie Fisher – Badminton, Rugbytots – Meg Fountain
Somersham Under 7’s – Liam Football Coach
