VALLEY Performers’ colourful November production, The Gangster’s Ball, has been ‘a proverbial ball’ to rehearse according to the actors.

Rehearsing at the Macksville Ex-services Club, the cast has seen club patrons pop their heads in with curiosity and the actors have had to be very wary they don’t give away ‘whodunnit’.

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Lisa Yeo, who plays the snitch, ‘Light fingers’ Lulu Brown, told News Of The Area, “It’s been a joy to work with everyone creating the characters and leading the audience through a murder mystery.”

Elwin Butler, who plays Rico Salad, who ‘owns’ the town said, “This play has it all: flappers, gangsters, bootleggers and of course ’a murder’.

“So many colourful characters, it keeps us busy.”

Claire Vanderriet said that she loves playing the ‘over-the-top’ budding silent film actress, Tess.

“Who wouldn’t?” she posed rhetorically.

Working alongside Terry West, who plays Tom Bowers, a suave bootlegger, has been such fun, the cast agree.

“He has the best accent,” said Claire.

“All the Gatsby 1920’s outfits look amazing on stage,” commented Kirsty Bush, who plays Bonnie.

“I can’t wait to see audiences dress up in either gangster or flapper outfits, or in something Christmassy.”

There are audience prizes for the best dressed as well as the best detective.

Karen Forbes, who plays Peaches Galore, told NOTA, “The club has been fantastic.

“Audiences will enjoy a Christmas dinner, then help solve the murder.

“Groups are booking tables for their end of year function, so we expect a party atmosphere.

“Throw all that together and it’s going to be lots of fun.”

Director Ruth Stuart had the last word, “Watching the clues line up and characters maintain their innocence while the audience work out whodunnit has been challenging.

“With nine suspects, you’ve really got to make sure actors deliver their lines in a way that the audience can piece it all together.

“The hardest thing the cast has found is to lie convincingly.”

Macksville Ex-services Club hosts the performances on November 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 Friday and Saturday evenings 6pm for dinner for 7pm show and Sunday matinees 1pm lunch for 2pm show.

By Andrea FERRARI