What happens when you mix the brilliant wit of Noel Coward with the intricate plotting of Agatha Christie?

You have the chance to discover the answer when South Brent Amateur Dramatic Society present their spring production, Rob Urbanati’s comic thriller ‘Death by Design’, in the Village Hall from Thursday, May 18 until Saturday, May 20.

Set during a weekend in an English country manor in 1932, ‘Death by Design’ is a delightful and mysterious ‘mash-up’ of two of the greatest English writers.

Sophisticated and arrogant playwright Edward Bennett and his air-headed actress wife Sorrel, have retreated to their country estate to lick their wounds after critics panned their latest play.

As they carry on their psychological warfare they are joined by a strange variety of guests: a Conservative politician, a fiery socialist, a near-sighted ingénue and a zany modern dancer. Some are invited, some not, but soon one of them is lying lifeless on the sofa. All the characters have a motive for murder, but it’s left to Bridgit, the feisty maid with a macabre interest in homicide and who is in cahoots with a young libertine chauffeur, to solve the crime.

Ably directed by the experienced Tim McGill, this promises to be a highly entertaining evening. The cast is a mix of seasoned SBADS members – Kim Kidney, Rob Willoughby, Nat Cook, Sarah Lanin, Andy Doree and Ben Butcher, and two newcomers to the society - Alan and Cathryn Wilkes.

‘Death by Design’ is in the Village Hall, South Brent, at 7.30pm on Thursday, May 18, Friday, May 19 and Saturday, May 20.

Tickets can be purchased from the Mare and Foal charity shop in the village between 10am and 12.30pm, or by callling 07812 414916.