Above: Jack Whitam as Richard Gloucester. Picture: Front of House Photography
When a 1950s murder mystery plays out in the industrial setting of a renowned working local brewery in front of an audience that can interrogate the suspects with the goal of working out whodunnit – the result is a brilliant, interactive, often funny and very memorable production.
Hogs Back Brewery – where there’s been a murder!
We went along to enjoy Guildford Shakespeare Company’s ‘A Brew to a Kill’ which is staged at The Hogs Back Brewery near Farnham (until 15th November) and takes inspiration from the Bard’s War of the Roses cycle. Brilliantly it combines a characterful, perfectly period murder mystery with a tour of arguably one of the region’s most famous breweries. A clever concept in which the audience moves around to visit and question the various suspects in different parts of the Tongham premises.
Setting the scene
It’s 1954 and change in the air at Hogs Back Brewery. After a turbulent few years, the brewery is re-opening with a brand-new brew and Tap Room… but before the ribbon is cut a chilling discovery is made and it’s soon clear that something more than just beer is brewing at Manor Farm! The play focuses on the machinations and betrayals of the Gloucester brewing family: siblings Edwina, George and Richard. Into the mix are thrown local mob boss Tommy Tyrell, and a takeover bid from rival brewery Priory Ales.
Even though I might have struggled to gather all the information in my head to form a strong opinion as to who the murderer was (like I do with most whodunnits!) – it did however give me the chance to see behind the scenes in this working brewery while I pondered.
The cast of ‘A Brew to a Kill’ (l to r): Robert Maskell, Jack Whitam, Laura Smithers and Emma Fenny)
Obviously, the cast (Emma Fenney, Robert Maskell, Laura Smithers and Jack Whitam) have no idea what questions might be thrown at them and so, besides having to know their lines, also have to be totally across all aspects of their character’s back stories in readiness. And they were faultless. Hats off to the entire GSC team for a great production.
Full details about tickets to the performances are on the Guildford Shakespeare Company website.
Theatre, music, art and culture are featured in a multi-page ‘Events’ guide in every edition of Premier Magazine. Browse the latest edition HERE. There is also a monthly online ‘what’s on’ bulletin in between printed and digital editions of the magazine.
