Death by Chocolate

The staff at the Meadowbrook Health Resort will get you healthy - or die trying.

This May, Richmond Players presents Death by Chocolate, a play combining all the elements of classic murder mysteries with scathing satires of the 80s health crazes, technology and fashion.

Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies, including famed chef Edith Chiles.

On the eve of the grand re-opening of the resort this is not the best advertisement so it’s up to John Stone (Joel Baltaks of North Richmond), the manager, to find the cause - and the murderer.

The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates, and the suspects include all the outlandish characters working for the resort.

Could it be Lady Riverdale (Emma Taite of Cranebrook), owner of the resort, and a woman with dark secrets or Ralph Deadwood (Martin Crew of North Richmond), gym instructor and all-around cad?

Dick Simmering (James McLanders of Glenmore Park), the aerobics instructor?

What about Anne (Lisa Hardwidge, Glenmore Park), the panic-stricken nurse?

Or could it be Sweet Pea Meadowbrook (Anthea Brown, Norwest), the grieving daughter of the recently deceased founder of the resort?

Director Penny Johnson of Norwest said she chose the show to make her directorial debut as it was the same show she had made her debut in community theatre.

“I had such fond memories of the show so when I had the chance to direct my first show with Richmond Players, I naturally went for this play,” she said.

“It’s such a fun story, full of one-liners that will make you groan and characters that range from sweet to very salty.

“I really hope that the audiences enjoy the fun and naturally try to work out who is the bad guy.

“You’ll never look at a box of chocolates the same way again.”

Details: Performances run weekly on Saturday, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 from 2 pm and 7.30 pm at the Richmond School of Arts, West Market St, Richmond.

Concession (Seniors/Pensioners/Students): $30

Adult (Standard): $35 (Plus 50c ticket fee).

Depending on availability there may be some tickets still available at the door.

Ed is a guest of Lady Riverdalle’s and at Meadowbrook for more than just the grand re-opening. He is a writer who hopes to be inspired for his next play… a murder mystery. Is he the type of author who really immerses himself in his material (maybe too much) or is he just keen to solve a real-life murder?

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• Performing Arts