Who is the Kilcullen murderer?

A murder will be perpetrated in Kilcullen on Saturday, 28 February, writes Brian Byrne. It will happen on stage in Kilcullen Town Hall, where the lead actress in Kilcullen Drama Group's Stage Fright will die within minutes of curtain-up.

But whodunnit? Nobody on the stage, nor any of the backstage crew, will know, because the answer is not in the script. Neither Marple nor Poirot will be available (one is having friends for sherry in St Mary Mead, the other has an appointment for a moustache trim at Truefitt & Hill in St James’s, London), so it's up to the sleuths in the audience to solve the mystery. 

Everyone on stage and behind it is a suspect. Who has a reason to see her dead (jealousy, spurned love, dangerous knowledge ...)? Who had the opportunity to put poison in her cup (friend, rival, props manager ...)? Who is the most suspicious-looking, or faux-relaxed, as the clues and red herrings scatter on the stage while the cast try to work out who is the traitor amongst them? Suspicion, motives and finger-pointing will unfold as the story develops, keeping both actors and audience on their toes.

Stage Fright is an entirely original production created by the group, and, in an exciting first for Kilcullen Drama Group, the play will be largely improvised by the cast.

Audience members are encouraged to put their detective skills to the test, with a raffle being held on the night among those who correctly guess the killer. During the interval, tea and coffee will be served by members of the cast (will you dare to sip that beverage, or munch on that biscuit? Is that slightly burnt almonds taste really in your imagination?).

Tickets cost €15 and are available now on Eventbrite and in Woodbine Books. Because the denouement will make the front pages of the nation's newspapers the following morning, this is a one-night-only production. So book your edge-of-the-seat now. 

Knitting and moustache-waxing optional.

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