Stratton Players presents murder mystery

FITCHBURG - How can a play be a murder mystery when the identity of the murderer is known ahead of time and the murder is committed in full view of the audience? That is the twist that makes Emlyn Williams' "A Murder Has Been Arranged" unique.

Presented by The Stratton Players from Friday, Nov. 16, through Sunday, Dec. 2, Murder is part ghost play, part suspense thriller and part old-fashioned melodrama. In fact, director Victor Dupuis, of Fitchburg, plans to fire up the old footlights built into the stage.

The play is set on the state of the Saint James Theatre, London. Sir Charles Jasper, an authority on the occult rents the theatre for a dinner party in recognition of two events. When the clock strikes 11, he will inherit a fortune. It is also the anniversary of a murder, the arrival of a mute woman, and the appearance of the victim's ghost who identifies the murderer. Will history repeat itself, as has been prophesized?

Throw in a May-December marriage, an overbearing mother, a mysterious stranger, suspected infidelity, strange forces, premonitions and a spellbinding gothic atmosphere, and you have an entertaining evening of theatre.

The cast includes Pam Sontag and Victor Dupuis, of Fitchburg; David Prescot, of Leominster, Jacob Babineau, of Gardner; Laura Crook, of Acton; Lynn Armstrong, of Ipswich; and Janet Cragin, David Prokowiew and Julia Specht, all of Lunenburg.

Performances are Nov. 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and Dec. 1, at 8 p.m.; Nov. 25 and Dec. 2 at 2 p.m. at the Stratton Playhouse, 60 Wallace Ave.

Tickets are $15, reservations recommended, pre-payment required for four or more tickets. Call (978) 345-6066 or e-mail strattonplayers@hotmail.com.

Stratton Players will also continue the group's tradition of Dinner and a Show with the Fay Club on Saturday, Nov. 24. Dine at the Fay Club, 658 Main St., Fitchburg and stroll to the theatre afterwards for "A Murder Has Been Arranged." Dinner is served at 6 p.m., curtain is at 8 p.m. Dinner includes autumn salad, seafood tortellini, chicken Florentine, scalloped potato, vegetable medley, rolls and butter, caramel mousse and beverage. Dinner alone is $24 or $39 for dinner and a show (all-inclusive tax/gratuity). For Dinner and a Show reservations, call the Fay Club at (978) 345-4537.