Barnaby Folcey is discovered murdered at a family gathering held at Marlgate Manor. It transpires that he had a motive to murder everybody present… although no one else had a reason to want him dead. Come along to Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of the comedy/drama But Why Bump Off Barnaby? If you make a charitable donation during the interval, you can also turn detective for the evening and help solve the murder. The play opens on the 13^th of July.

The stage is set. Barnaby scrawled the letters “b-a-r,” whilst dying, implicating everyone. This leads to a frantic attempt by the bizarre group to unmask the murderer. People vanish, poison is found in the sherry, and the police take forever to arrive. Meanwhile, there's a secret treasure to be found and a mystifying limerick to decode, as well as all sorts of doom to be avoided before the killer is finally unmasked and destroyed using one of the funniest methods ever seen on a stage.

We talked to But Why Bump Off Barnaby? director Franchesca Nicholson about the reasons behind the play's selection and why the play is so special to her.

Simon: Is this TFT production an adaptation of the original stage play?

Franchesca: We are using the original play as written by Rick Abbot, which is incredibly funny. We’ve then made interactive elements for during the intervals to add an additional spin on it and difference to the theatre goers usual theatre experience.

Simon: What made you decide to choose this play?

Franchesca: I was trying to search for a play to put forward to direct and the name jumped out, it was funny and intriguing and luckily when I read the script that was still the case. I wanted something funny and different from plays I’d previously directed and this was the perfect choice. It’s also my first production I’ve directed with the adult company to be performed in the Oak. I knew I wanted to try something I’d not seen yet at TFT and there’s elements of the staging that we’ve not previously done at TFT so it’s exciting to be doing that too - although I don’t want to give anything away too much, let’s just say things are not always as they seem. 

Simon: Did your Mum enjoy watching murder mysteries?

Franchesca: She did, I used to work for a murder mystery company when I was 18 and me and my parents then attended a few murder mystery nights with another company and always enjoyed them. TV shows and plays which were murder mysteries have always been firm favourites for my mum and dad. 

Simon: I like the idea of the audience being able to guess the murderer by making a donation in the interval. Is this a first for TFT?

Franchesca: TFT have done charity donations before during shows but this is the first to my knowledge which has guessed the murderer like this. It seemed like a fun addition. Whenever you’re watching a murder mystery you always try and guess who it was and how, so this allows you the chance to do it as well as support a great cause. Plus they can be in with a chance to win a hamper full of prizes! 

Simon: Why will the audience enjoy the play?

Franchesca: It’s incredibly funny. With a variety of unique and loveable characters. It’s a great escape from the day to day lives and it will make you laugh out loud. 

Simon: What has it been like to direct the play?

Franchesca: it’s been a lot of fun. The cast have been a joy to work with and we laugh in every rehearsal as it’s so funny, the characterisations keep getting better and it’s been a fun show to work on with a supportive and hard working cast. After everything with the lockdowns over the past two years I really wanted to ensure we all had a great experience and were able to let our hair down and enjoy the show which I hope they feel too as I certainly have. There’s also a wonderful behind the scenes crew who have been instrumental in bringing the show to life and do what they can to add additional elements which I’m really lucky to have.

Simon was talking to Franchesca Nicholson.

Titchfield Festival Theatre’s production of But Why Bump off Barnaby? is performed at St Margarets Lane, Titchfield on Wednesday 13th July to Saturday 23rd July 2022. The shows start at 7.30pm. There is a matinée performance on Sunday 17th July 2022 starting at 2.30pm.

For more information including booking tickets, please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/ or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.