Sherlock Holmes has found his way to Brockport, well, not exactly; this mystery is for the audience to figure out. The Theater department is getting ready for its showing of “The Game’s Afoot”, a comedy murder mystery full of twists and turns with jokes and drama. The tongue-in-cheek nature of the script pays homage to old Arthur Conan Doyle novels while providing a comedic take on the whodunit formula.
“ We (the Department of Theatre) wanted to introduce our students to this type of comedy,” said director Frank Kuhn. “It’s also just so funny we had to go with it.”
The show’s timing has the cast feeling festive since its events are set around a Christmas party.
“Listening to Christmas music and seeing the set has gotten me into the holiday spirit,” sophomore Rachel Ekstrom, who plays Daria Chase said. “The show is set around the holidays so I think it will get more people excited to attend.”
To get the wider student body involved, Kuhn and the cast have hidden small magnifying glasses around campus for people to find. Attached are free tickets to the show.
“The tradition extends back to a few shows. I use things like this to promote shows and drive attendance. It sparks interest,” Khun said.
“Anyone can come to see this is a show for all ages,” senior Hunter Lincoln who plays Simon Bright said. “There’s humor for younger people and there is humor for older people. You know, the older people are going to get those little cute lines that go back to the 30s. At the same time, there’s physical combat which has comedic elements that tends to draw more to the younger crowd.”
The play involves a group of actors who are attending a holiday party after an attempt on one of the group’s lives during a Broadway show. The group is trapped inside due to a Christmas eve snowstorm. They must figure out whodunit while navigating relationships, double-crosses and other twists and turns before it is too late.
“The Game’s Afoot” is running December 2–4 and 8–10 Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday Dec. 3.
