The Usual Suspects have been in rehearsal for eight weeks and they have had their own string of minor misfortunes, but nowhere near as bad as the tough luck in store for Magnolia Bay Theatre Company.
A few cast members went under to Covid along the way, but everyone is back on deck now and bright-eyed for tonight's opening.
“It's great fun. We had one lady who came in on the last two or three rehearsals and she was still laughing last night, which is a good sign.
“It's a fun night out. It's not serious and as the writer I feel a great sense of relief after someone sees it three times and they are still laughing.
“I guess we have got some contingency plans (for illness) so we're going to keep going. The murder happens every night but it's a different murderer each time. The play is the same but the murderer is not.”
The Usual Suspects company is renowned for its improvisation and this is where the show gets even more interesting. The actors have to improvise otherwise they would have to learn four different scripts.
“They have to know their motives and relationships very well when we go into the second half of the show,” Dorothy says.
“They do enjoy it. They have great fun. It stretches them a bit as actors as the audience can throw anything at them and they have to answer in character.”
The Usual Suspects floats around and performs in different spaces around town, fundraising for various organisations. This one is for Evolution Theatre Company.
Their next show in October will take place on a steam train, which does bring to mind a famous story by Agatha Christie.
No doubt that won't be a journey for the faint-hearted, either.
Deadly Dress Rehearsal opens tonight at 7.30pm in Disraeli Street, and runs through the weekend to a Sunday matinee at 4pm.
Nibbles will be available.
