Murder Mistaken

Murder Mistaken by Janet Green

This was our first play produced at the new Memorial Hall. Its producer was Gwen Clarke and was a nice little thriller to open the new hall with. It was Gwen's first directorial production for Wyong Drama Group and ran for two nights, Friday 16 July and Saturday 17 July 1965. It was also the drama group's entry in the 1965 Arts Council play festival which was judged by Mr Reid Douglas viewing the Saturday night performance.

Murder is his business and generally speaking Edward Bare is a successful business man. Married first to Monica, rich, doting and many years his senior, Edward waits amicably for her to die. It is not "poor Monnie's fault" that he comes one day to the mistaken conclusion that she is about to make a will in favour of her sister, and decides that, his only course is to hasten her end. But Edward has misjudged the old woman, for she meant to leave him everything. As it is, he finds himself with less than he had when she was alive.

Edward is not daunted: He looks around for another rich fish to net, and finds the answer to this pressing necessity in the person of Freda Jefferies, wealthy widow of a hotel proprietor. Freda, who has always seen that her head ruled her heart, marries Edward, at the same time keeping a tight hold on her purse strings. This does not suit Edward and when Charlotte Young, another rich woman, arrives on the scene, he is all set to remove the one that irks him most. Charlotte appears easier game than the tough Freda, and Edward sets about staging the scene for an exciting last situation.

Which lady will receive the brunt of his murdering tactics? Packed with suspense and thrills, the machinations of the killer's mind are laid bare for the observation of the audience, and the twists are unexpected and spine-chilling.

Murder Mistaken Programme (pdf file, 214,765 bytes)

Photo Gallery

The below pictures are thumbnails. To see the full-sized pictures, simply click on the thumbnail images.

	Adjudication: marks and comments made by Reid Douglas at the Arts Council Drama Festival performance. Date of document: 17 July 1966 (Note that these articles can be expanded in the browser window they open in by clicking on the picture and scrolling around)
	At rehearsals in the new hall: George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant, Phillip McGill and Lorna Worgan
	Bonnie Bryant, Phillip McGill, George Geatches and Lorna Worgan
	Lorna Worgan, George Geatches and Bonnie Bryant
	George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	George Geatches and Bonnie Bryant
	Bonnie Bryant, Phillip McGill and George Geatches
	Lorna Worgan and Bonnie Bryant
	George Geatches, Ian Tasker (standing in), Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	Bonnie Bryant and George Geatches
	George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	Lorna Worgan and Bonnie Bryant
	George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	Bonnie Bryant
	Bonnie Bryant
	On the actual set, now: Lorna Worgan, George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	Phillip McGill, Bonnie Bryant, George Geatches, Mildred Ede, Juyne Ceely and Lorna Worgan
	George Geatches, Phillip McGill, Mildred Ede, Bonnie Bryant and Juyne Ceely
	We are blessed to have these three colour pictures (slides) on the full set: George Geatches and Juyne Ceely
	George Geatches and Bonnie Bryant
	Lorna Worgan, George Geatches, Bonnie Bryant and Phillip McGill
	Neville Goldsworthy's article reviewing the play in the Wyong Advocate Wednesday 21 July 1965 (Note that these articles can be expanded in the browser window they open in by clicking on the picture and scrolling around)
	Tuggerah Lakes News article also Wednesday 21 July 1965 (Note that these articles can be expanded in the browser window they open in by clicking on the picture and scrolling around)