One of the cleverest and funniest pieces of musical theatre I have had the good fortune to see, Murder for Two is a triumph of writing, performance and direction. It is an outrageous murder mystery, a comedic whodunit, with two actors filling 13 roles … and 12 those going to one of them. Mayhem, mirth and music make a heady combination.
Dahlia Whitney is planning a surprise birthday party for her lauded and prolific author husband, Arthur. In attendance are several of his friends. They include his niece, Steph who is studying a graduate degree in criminology, psychiatrist Dr Griff and prima ballerina Barrette Lewis. Also present are the Whitney’s bickering neighbours, Murray and Barb Flandon and the three remaining members of an all-boys choir, Timmy, Yonkers and Skid. Firefighter Henry Vivaldi will also put in an appearance – later.
With the lights turned out, gunshots ring out and Arthur (who we never see) lies dead in a pool of blood. First on the scene are Officers Marcus Moscowitz and his unseen colleague, Lou. They are waiting for the investigator assigned to the case, Detective Grayson, to arrive. Officer Moscowitz has been traumatised by a past relationship with former partner Vanessa (who we don’t meet).
He is out to prove to the Chief that he is worthy of promotion due to his knowledge of crime scene protocol. As such, he sets about trying to solve the crime before Detective Grayson gets there. He begins interrogating the partygoers, all of whom are suspects, as it appears each one of them had their reason for wanting Arthur done away with.
Murder for Two takes the best ingredients of an Agatha Christie novel and kicks it up several notches with unbridled hilarity. Written by Kellen Blair and Joe Kinosian, with lyrics by the former and music by the latter, it is witty and wonderful. It premiered at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater in 2011 and this Hayes Theatre production, directed by Richard Carroll, is bursting with energy and vibrancy.
Performers Maverick Newman, who takes to the stage in a flamboyant top, and Gabbi Bolt are sensational. Their stagecraft and repartee are heaven on a stick. With a shiny, black grand piano centre stage, they tickle the ivories brilliantly together and one by one, while the other acts and sings up a storm. Neither misses a beat (they are faultless), as the action unfolds at a rapid pace.
Newman, who fills the multiplicity of roles and switches characters seamlessly and acrobatically – as if shelling peas – puts on a comic tour de force. Matching him stride for stride, often as the exasperated fall guy, is Bolt. What a combination. What a treat. The highlights are plentiful, including Newman pulling faces and flinging himself about the stage, and Bolt singing at the piano, while Newman mimes.
Shannon Burns has done a mighty job choreographing all the right moves. A wood panelled backdrop, complete with umpteen books, provides a strong sense of place. The set and costume designer is Keerthi Subramanyam. Murder for Two is superlative entertainment, with the laughs turned up at every turn. It is so much fun, with the ultimate and most fulsome praise left for Maverick Newman and Gabbi Bolt for creating musical theatrical magic. Do not miss it.
One hundred minutes without interval, Murder for Two is on at Fairfax Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne, until 25th August, 2024.
Alex First
Alex First is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.
