A Dinner to Die For: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Dazzling with the decadence of year 1928, the Retreat Hotel's interactive theatre show A Dinner to Die For is pure fun. As the guests arrive at the Daventry family manor to celebrate Lord Quinten’s birthday, suspicions abound when it becomes apparent that some of the arrivals are harbouring ulterior motives. When one of the guests is found dead at the bottom of the stairs, it’s not long before accusations are unleashed. What ensues is a riotous night of hilarious whodunit designed to turn anyone into a sleuth.

Facing unbridled debts, Lord Quinten (David Gould) deviously proposes to the lacklustre but wealthy Fanny Farquar (Leonie White) in an unashamed bid for her substantial fortune. In doing so he upsets the officious Captain Montague (Richard Cotzabuyucas) who carries a flame for Fanny, but never seized the opportunity to act upon his emotions—until perhaps tonight. Also part of celebrations is Uncle Bernie (Simon J. Robinson), whose reputation as a cad during his time in military service leads one to wonder who his mysterious partner in a carnal dalliance was. The uninvited entrance of clairvoyant Gwendella Garavinah (Annie MacDonald) certainly rubs Uncle Bernie up the wrong way; when the clairvoyant sees something unsettling in the waters, the scene is set for a night of extreme commotion. The bonking from behind of Gertrude Glossop (Sue Miles) starts off the series of strange events for the night and as the evening eventuates other guests also become victims. Eventually, with the arrival of the intuitive Nanny Maude and her keen detective skills, the truth behind the carnage is revealed.

With the odd smatterings of group sing-a-longs thrown in and a spiritual hand-holding moment bringing the whole room together, the evening is packed with enough drama, innuendo and intrigue to keep everyone entertained. Budding investigators will be on high alert as there are more than enough clues to keep guests guessing. The drama is also well-paced with just enough time allowed for people to finish each course before being captivated by the next chapter in the saga.

The production caters for around thirty or so people and patrons are assigned a character a few days prior to the performance. With individuals being given artistic licence to interpret their character as they like, it is often hard to differentiate between the guests and the cast. The crew perform each of their roles with unbridled enthusiasm, a difficult feat considering that each member is assigned a table to entertain for the evening and manage to stay in character throughout. The cast were amiable and happy to stay back to chat to after the show, which added that extra touch of intimacy to the small scale production.

The wonderfully period Retreat Hotel is the perfect venue for the performance, although the dining room is a tad small, which may have prevented the mingling of the guests and made the viewing of the action a bit difficult at times.

A Dinner to Die For is a great excuse to dress up, embrace an alternative persona and delve into the wonderful world of pretend.

A Dinner to Die For: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Venue: The Retreat Hotel, 226 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford, VIC
When: Saturday 4th, 18th or 25th April, June 13, 2009
From: 7.30pm
Dinner & Show $80 pp