Murder Before Evensong

'A show with grit as well as cosiness... mines the pathos of wartime trauma and sexual prejudice... Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna's rewrite sticks closely to the novel, initiating us into the neighbourhood's rivalries and hidden secrets before a man is murdered with secateurs... Whether you're more inclined to Christie or Christianity, this is a perfectly enjoyable concoction for those obsessed with vice and vestries'

* The Times *

'Reverend Richard Coles's novel has found its ideal stage home, as a mystery that is both comic and suspenseful... missing this would be a crime!'

* WhatsOnStage *

'Agatha Christie meets GK Chesterton... Coles' work is ideally suited to the stage... the adaptation is a model of economy and stagecraft... a satisfyingly complicated plot... The tangled tale of wartime romance, murder, adoption and late-flowering revenge is replete with shoals of red herrings... comforting without being sentimental... the dialogue is full of sleight-of-ear gems... an endearing entertainment fuelled more by character than plot, and an adroit combination of wry humour and grisly murder'

* The Stage *

'If you're in the mood for a cosy crime play, MurderBeforeEvensong will more than suffice... its slow burn execution allows room to show how the murder impacts all of Champton... a night of humour and intrigue'

* Broadway World *

'A fantastic mixture of gripping amateur sleuthing, 1980s nostalgia, and outstanding performances that make it the epitome of cosy crime... beautifully captures the distinctly countryside charm and wit of the characters... the village of Champton springs to life magnificently from page to stage... a greatly enjoyable evening for those familiar with the novel and those who aren't'

* All That Dazzles *

'With a mix of gentle humour and an abundance of intrigue, Murder Before Evensong is a charming piece of theatre and a perfect cosy interlude for autumnal evenings in rural England'

* West End Best Friend *

'Compelling and highly enjoyable... cleverly adapted... a tantalising murder mystery that keeps the audience guessing... the surprising dénoument is totally unexpected... filled with wonderful characters that all the company embrace with relish... Most of the cast double up as other characters with swift costume changes... a joy to watch'

* British Theatre Guide *

'An entertaining night out for all'

* Stage Talk Magazine *

'A cosy English murder mystery with plenty of charm... the murders are cleverly staged, with some genuinely effective moments of shock, and the mystery remains sufficiently open-ended to encourage plenty of guessing. The identity of the killer remains difficult to pin down until the final stages, making the final revelations satisfying'

* A Young(ish) Perspecti