Mark’s Score: 3.5 stars
With British television drama in its infancy in the late 1950s radio still held top position for light entertainment broadcasts. Things would soon change after 1960 with the coming of commercial television when 60% of the population would own a receiver. The Brits had never had it so good with a robust post war economy finally kicking in and an increased standard of living for the general populous. Against this social background the present offering at The Ensemble is set within a radio studio and we the audience are in attendance for the recording of two thrillers. But it is not solely the telling of the tales that delight but the opportunity to witness the paraphernalia in use to create the atmospheric 
sound effects accompanying the performance.
The first mystery drama is Conan Doyle’s The Solitary Cyclist, followed by The Dead(ly) Wives Club especially written for this entertainment by its director Mark Kilmurry. He also appears in both stories suitably teamed by Georgie Parker and Daniel Mitchell. These accomplished performers capture all the grace, wit and elegance of the genre and the period. The adaptation of the Conan Doyle is top-notch and delivered with a cracking pace, while the other radio play is eerily comedic and intriguing with its divorced detectives (from each other) as the protagonists. I wonder hesitantly if such characters would have been represented on the radio in conservative 1950s Britain, nevertheless this did provide a lot of undercurrent “will they / won’t they” to the plot.
However it is Katie Fitchett as maestra of ambience who steals the show. She is set up behind the actors and well resourced with a myriad of props, appliances and converted objects. Like the actors she works off a script giving the proceedings a freshness and spontaneity. Fitchett plays a Foley artist and her aloof job’s worth attitude is highly amusing. Dressed in functional trousers and blouse while donning a land-girl headscarf, she is strangely shod, for a day at work, in not very sensible heels – though justifiably needed when creating footfalls on sand, pebbles, etc. The outfit is finished with the ubiquitous 1950s “never leave home without them” strand of pearls. Genevieve Graham as costume designer also impresses with the men dressed in suave attire and with Parker’s gown full-skirted and beautifully fitted. She is subtly bejewelled and coiffed for, though this is radio, artists were expected to be dressed to the nines.
Murder on the Wireless is a very cosy production which will appeal to those who love this simpler time and stylish era. As a radio drama aficcionado from my years living in the UK I am attracted to this art form and only wish there was a resurgence of it via present day radio services. The plays in the production are not what will bring in an audience per se. Nor will the dynamic between the actors when not “on air” as there is a certain lack of conflict and not much tension on display. What absorbed my attention is the bygone era of radio mechanics and the recreation of the studio. The craft employed in a sound effects department and the amazing range of the human voice can often liberate the imagination, therefore I do recommend you occasionally close your eyes and luxuriate in the senses.
Mark G Nagle – Theatre Now Sydney
Murder On The Wireless
Arthur Conan Doyle & Mark Kilmurry
7 Jun – 13 Jul 2019
See website for performance dates and times (Use ‘Book Tickets Here’ link)
Venue: Ensemble Theatre
Theatre Company: Ensemble Theatre
Duration: Aprox 90 Min (No Interval)
Adjust the dial, tune in for an evening of suspense and intrigue and witness the world’s greatest detectives at their sleuthing best. Incomparable duo Holmes and Watson team up to avert disaster at the hands of THE SOLITARY CYCLIST, while Divorced Detectives Ridley Jones and Teresa Scott are embroiled in a mad train chase to thwart a criminal mastermind in THE DEAD(LY) WIVES CLUB.
Set in a 1950s studio in the heyday of the radio play, marvel as atmospheric sound effects are created before your very eyes from galloping horses’ hooves to distant thunder… and a menacing squeaky bicycle.
Hold on tight as MURDER ON THE WIRELESS transports you through time and space and into the magic, mayhem and delicious comedy of the radio drama with multi-skilled performers Katie Fitchett (FRANKENSTEIN), Mark Kilmurry (EDUCATING RITA), Daniel Mitchell (BAREFOOT IN THE PARK) and Georgie Parker (BAREFOOT IN THE PARK).
Director
Mark Kilmurry
Cast
Katie Fitchett
Mark Kilmurry
Daniel Mitchell
Georgie Parker
Ticket Prices
