It is the opening night of director-writer Shane Tweed’s new murder mystery. Jamie Oxenbould and Mark Kilmurry’s new comedy looks behind the scenes at the world of amateur theatre, where luck, determination and unbridled confidence rule the day. A very funny take on bad timing, incompetence and sweet optimism to end the 2023 season.
Overview
WORLD PREMIERE
It is the opening night of director-writer Shane Tweed’s new murder mystery, MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL.
Seven of the amateur theatre company’s cast are down with the dreaded lurgy. So the Middling Cove Players’ director and two of the remaining actors, and whoever else Shane can co-opt, pitch in to continue the long tradition of ‘the show must go on.’ Juggling nerves, props, and absurd miscasting, will they manage to pull it off? Or will everything go horribly, terribly and awfully wrong?
Mark Kilmurry and Jamie Oxenbould’s new comedy looks behind the scenes at the world of amateur theatre, where luck, determination and unbridled confidence rule the day. A very funny take on bad timing, incompetence and sweet optimism to end the 2023 season.
Ticket Prices
For group bookings of 10+, please call Box office on (02 8918 3400) or email boxoffice@ensemble.com.au
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice.
| SINGLE TICKETS | PREVIEWS | IN SEASON |
|---|---|---|
| FULL PRICE | $75 | $80 |
| SENIORS CARD | $72 | $77 |
| PENSIONER | $68 | $73 |
| 30 OR UNDER | $38 | $43 |
| FULL-TIME STUDENT | $38 | $43 |
| MEAA/AWG | $38 | $43 |
| SCHOOL GROUPS | $25 | $25 |
| GROUP 10-19 | $72 | $77 |
| GROUP 20+ | $68 | $73 |
Reviews
★★★★★ "Act II, (the play), is of course hilarious. The manic cover-ups, desperate improvisational moments are rich and original. The cast are a brilliant and cohesive team." Sydney Arts Guide
★★★★ 1/2 "a bloody entertaining night at the theatre." Theatre Thoughts
★★★★1/2 "a stellar display of comedic brilliance at its highest, especially for the premiere of a newly commissioned work" Musical Theatre AU
"often so funny that the structural integrity of the Ensemble’s seating must have been in some jeopardy as so many people shook with laughter" The Sydney Morning Herald
“eye-streamingly funny” Megaphone OZ
“whimsical creativity and a joyous abandonment that proves infectious and irresistibly hilarious.” Northern Beaches Mums
“Complete mayhem and jolly good fun.” City Hub
“Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall offers a welcome escape from responsible adulthood and permission to indulge in giggling at Kilmurry and Oxenbould’s cheerfully zany take on the well-worn phrase “What could go wrong” South Sydney Herald
"Here’s a tight, bright theatrical farce that should brighten anyone’s Christmas viewing" Stage Whispers
"O’Sullivan is pitch-perfect as the reedy-voiced wannabe auteur, quietly in love with Snape’s delightfully batty Middling Cove diva. Oxenbould’s comic flair and timing is a huge asset to the show." Limelight
“The script by Jamie Oxenbould and director Mark Kilmurry is hilarious, a glorious mixture of gags and set-ups that facilitate character based humour, both verbal and physical.” Theatre Reds
“If the laughter in the audience on opening night is anything to go by, it will be another star in the Ensemble’s theatrical story” Wimmer
"Rigorous direction by Kilmurry fills every moment with a playful zeal." Suzy Goes See
"Ensemble Theatre’s early Christmas gift to Sydney audiences, a laugh a minute farce where everything that possibly can go wrong does go uproariously wrong and that’s what makes it so riotously right." Australian Stage
"Midnight Murder at Hamlington Hall has a genuine warmth to give depth to the frantic silliness." Cultural Binge
Cast & Creatives
Mark Kilmurry
Test
Jamie Oxenbould
Playwright/Cast
Emma Canalese
Assistant Director
Sam O’Sullivan
Cast
Ariadne Sgouros
Cast
Eloise Snape
Cast
Simon Greer
Set & Costume Designer
Verity Hampson
Lighting Designer
Daryl Wallis
Composer & Sound Designer
Erin Shaw
Graduating from the Technical Theatre and Stage Management course at NIDA in 2016, Erin has previously worked in the industry as a dresser on GIRL ASLEEP (Belvoir, 2016); stage manager on LITTLE BORDERS (The 505, 2017), MOTH (ATYP, 2017), and LOVE, ME (The 505, 2018); and assistant stage manager on DIPLOMACY (Ensemble Theatre, 2018) and BLISS (Belvoir, 2018).
Erin feels privileged to have worked with such an incredible team on this production and looks forward to the season.
Christopher Starnawski
Assistant Stage Manager
Toby Blome
Special Observer
Sara Kolijn
Costume SupervisorDownload the program
Discover more about MIDNIGHT MURDER AT HAMLINGTON HALL with our digital program. It’s packed full of info about the show including writer’s and director’s notes, cast and creative bios, plus photos and more.
Special performances
Audio Described
- Thu 28 Dec 11am
- Sat 30 Dec 3.30pm
Tactile Tours are available 1 hour prior to Audio Described performances, please contact the Box Office to book.
Q&A Session
- Fri 15 Dec 8pm
- Tue 19 Dec 11am
Free Teen
- Wed 10 Jan 2014 7.30pm