The Case Of The Frightened Lady

Bruiser Theatre Company presented a fantastic night at the theatre – a classic ‘who-dunnit’ for all ages. The year is 1932 and writer Edgar Wallace the ‘King of the modern thriller’, gets a desperate call from his publisher. With only a weekend to produce a new novel, “The Case of the Frightened Lady” was the hilarious account of the antics of the Wallace household while devising plot, storyline and final denouement; creating characters that flit in and out of reality and fiction.

Wallace’s new thriller bulged with a tangle of dodgy criminals, false clues and strangers with mysterious pasts. As the corpses piled up, Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Tanner must keep one step ahead of the bungling rural police and prevent the course of justice being perverted by a household of secretive toffs! His legendary powers of observation have never failed him yet. Just how far beneath the surface lies the grisly truth? Why is the Lady so frightened? Whether you're a regular theatregoer, or a first timer, ‘The Case Of The Frightened Lady offered the perfect night out.

Critics Review

  "Belfast’s Bruiser Theatre Company has found a heaven-sent 
   vehicle for its distinctive brand of precise, choreographed 
   physical theatre...Director Lisa May has made a fine job of 
   casting this motley crew and the five actors are excellent as 
   they swap characters and create evermore outrageous flights 
   of theatrical and narrative fancy...this has the makings of 
   the best Bruiser show yet."
   Review - Jane Coyle in ‘The Irish Times’

  "This play was hilarious, from start to finish. It didn’t miss 
   a beat, probably because it was choreographed to perfection...
   Each scene change, each gesture, each brief interaction was timed 
   to the second. The mania and hysterics of the play didn’t let up 
   right to the end and the audience truly felt as though it had been 
   taken on a journey throughout...I laughed constantly and the comedy 
   techniques employed were brilliant.....’The Case of the Frightened 
   Lady’ delivered beautifully. Well done to the cast and all who were 
   involved in putting this play on stage. I will keep an eye out for 
   future Bruiser Theatre productions." – 
   Online Review in www.DarrenByrne.com

  "I saw your production and thought it was fantastic and certainly 
   the best play I have seen staged in a few years...your physical 
   acting really suited this play and it was a treat to see it."
   Email From Armagh Audience Member

   "...comic theatre of the highest order....The dialogue is littered 
   with razorwire one-liners that literally will have you rolling in 
   the aisles and wiping the tears away. Lisa May’s direction superbly 
   compliments the wonderful script, with precise choreography, exact 
   timing and an excellent ensemble cast ensuring a rollicking two hours 
   of entertainment of the highest order. A true tribute to the slap-stick 
   era and something the theatre scene could do with more of: good, 
   well-acted, well-produced with no pretensions..."
   Review – Mark Ashby for www.brazencity.com

  "When it comes to innovation, it's hard to beat a Bruiser production. 
   Director Lisa May and her cast have polished their latest play, ‘The 
   Case of the Frightened Lady’, until it's positively gleaming - their 
   enthusiasm, energy and professionalism win me over every time. By the 
   time we discover whodunnit, I can only marvel at their accomplishment."
   
  "Lisa May’s delightful comedy is performed...by a highly talented cast...
   a show that is firmly stamped with Bruiser’s trademark style. Enjoy!"
   Grania McFadden follow-up piece in ‘The Belfast Telegraph

  "Absolutely superb!  Energetic, professional, entertaining, fun!"
   Audience Feedback Form, Ardhowen Theatre, Enniskillen.

Bruiser’s tour of Bill Scott’s wonderful The Case Of The Frightened Lady’ ended on October 18th 2008 and was one of our most successful tours to date. In total, the show was performed 23 times in 15 venues to an audience of 2,210! The show’s writer Bill Scott and his wife Keri came over from England to see the show in Belfast – a real treat for the Company and much appreciated by cast and crew.

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