A Stage Take on a Telly Classic: 'The Killings at Badger's Drift' Review
Midsomer Murders has been a staple of British television for 28 years, captivating audiences with its idyllic yet deadly countryside settings. Now, the show is being brought to life on stage by writer-director Guy Unsworth, who takes the first novel in the series, 'The Killings at Badger's Drift', and turns it into a hilarious and clever adaptation.
Unsworth's production features an all-star cast of seven actors, who effortlessly play multiple roles, including suspects and victims. The actors' impressive range is on full display as they switch between characters with ease, delivering witty one-liners and comedic timing that will have you giggling in the aisles. The set design cleverly incorporates elements of TV drama, such as quick cuts and slide-ins, to create an immersive experience reminiscent of the original series.
While 'The Killings at Badger's Drift' is a lighthearted adaptation, Unsworth tackles some serious themes, including prejudice and stereotyping, in a way that feels both subtle and impactful. The production takes a bold approach by using the stage to explore these topics, making for a truly unique theatrical experience.
The show's central character, DCI Barnaby, is played by Daniel Casey, who brings a charming sense of straight-man humor to the role. Casey gamely copes with the wacky cast of characters around him, making for an entertaining and engaging performance.
Unsworth's decision to bring this beloved TV series to life on stage could be seen as daring, but it's clear that he's onto something special here. By blending elements of comedy, drama, and panto, he's created a show that will appeal to both Midsomer Murders fans and newcomers alike. If you're a fan of the TV series, do yourself a favor and book a ticket – just don't watch the original too closely beforehand!
Midsomer Murders has been a staple of British television for 28 years, captivating audiences with its idyllic yet deadly countryside settings. Now, the show is being brought to life on stage by writer-director Guy Unsworth, who takes the first novel in the series, 'The Killings at Badger's Drift', and turns it into a hilarious and clever adaptation.
Unsworth's production features an all-star cast of seven actors, who effortlessly play multiple roles, including suspects and victims. The actors' impressive range is on full display as they switch between characters with ease, delivering witty one-liners and comedic timing that will have you giggling in the aisles. The set design cleverly incorporates elements of TV drama, such as quick cuts and slide-ins, to create an immersive experience reminiscent of the original series.
While 'The Killings at Badger's Drift' is a lighthearted adaptation, Unsworth tackles some serious themes, including prejudice and stereotyping, in a way that feels both subtle and impactful. The production takes a bold approach by using the stage to explore these topics, making for a truly unique theatrical experience.
The show's central character, DCI Barnaby, is played by Daniel Casey, who brings a charming sense of straight-man humor to the role. Casey gamely copes with the wacky cast of characters around him, making for an entertaining and engaging performance.
Unsworth's decision to bring this beloved TV series to life on stage could be seen as daring, but it's clear that he's onto something special here. By blending elements of comedy, drama, and panto, he's created a show that will appeal to both Midsomer Murders fans and newcomers alike. If you're a fan of the TV series, do yourself a favor and book a ticket – just don't watch the original too closely beforehand!
I heard from a reliable source 
that the cast's improvisational skills were key to making this stage adaptation work. Apparently, they all had so much fun playing multiple roles, it showed on stage! 
The set design is also super clever - those slide-ins and quick cuts really add to the immersive experience. I'm curious, though: how did Unsworth choose which themes from the book to tackle in such a subtle way? 
But seriously, it got me thinking about how we can use humor as a tool to break down barriers and challenge our own biases. It's all about finding the right balance between seriousness and levity. For example, when watching the show, I found myself laughing at one character's antics, but then suddenly realizing that they were actually making some really valid points about social class and power dynamics. It was like a punch in the gut, but in a good way! 
can you imagine an all-star cast playing multiple roles on stage? 
I'm low-key hoping they do a UK tour soon so I can see it live! 
gotta say, blending comedy, drama, and panto is the perfect way to bring this beloved TV series to life on stage... Unsworth's a genius 
the all-star cast is going to kill it 
and I love that they're tackling serious themes like prejudice and stereotyping in a subtle yet impactful way 
the set design sounds genius 
Daniel Casey as DCI Barnaby sounds hilarious 
can't wait to see it on stage 
. It's not just a fun adaptation, it's actually thought-provoking too. I think Unsworth's decision to bring this show on stage is a total game-changer 
. But what really stood out to me was how cleverly they tackled some serious themes like prejudice and stereotyping... without ever feeling preachy or heavy-handed 
. It's actually kind of impressive that the show can make you laugh and think at the same time 
.
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I've been a die-hard fan of the show since I was a kid and to see it come to life on stage is just mind-blowing 
And Daniel Casey's performance as DCI Barnaby is perfection