Murder mystery

Royal Players present first show of new season

By Elizabeth Pannell

LITTLE ROCK — Murder, comedy and politics are combined in the latest show presented by The Royal Players of Benton.

Mandate for Murder by Pat Cook is a murder mystery that show producer Susan Dill said “takes the audience on a laugh-filled comedic romp through the wonderful world of political intrigue.”

The show is directed by Randall Earnest, who has played in other Royal productions The Man Who Came to Dinner and Guys and Dolls. This is Earnest’s first time to direct a Royal Players production, but he was the director of the Young Players production, The Pirate Show.

Dill said the show is set on election night as friends and supporters of mayoral candidate Matt Kensington wait for him at the home of the eccentric Dolores MacDonald.

“He knows they are giving him a campaign party, but does not know it’s a birthday party for him as well,” Dill said. “As the campaigners wait in the dark the doorbell rings, the door opens and the lights comeon to reveal a dead body.”

“The ending changes for each performance,” Dill said. “The audience does not vote on the identity of the murderer, however that turns out to be the biggest surprise of the evening.”

The cast for Mandate includes first-time Royal actor and Screen Actors’ Guild member Don Pirl. He plays Commissioner Doggerty, who, Dill said, is summoned to solve the crime without tipping off the press until the voting closes.

Other cast members includes longtime Royal actors Donna Johnston, director Earnest, producer Dill, Debbie Wright and Jerry Rice.

Show times for Mandate for Murder are Thursday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 12 and Thursday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 19. Sunday shows are at 2 p.m. and shows Thursday through Saturday are at 7 p.m.

Adult tickets are $10, seniors $8 and students $5. For reservations call (501) 315-5483 or visit royalplayers.org.

The Royal Theater is in Benton on 111 S. Market.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 69 on 10/02/2008