The cast of four Neil Jennings, Wesley Griffith, Becky Bertram and Mitch Donaldson brings to the stage a range of characters as Detective Stuart Pinnock (Neil Jennings) leads the investigations in the play The Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception.

The famous painting has gone missing during the auction at the Manor House. Lord and Lady Rayburn (Mitch Donaldson and Becky Bartram) have a house full of guests staying for the event. Which keeps their maid on her feet and the police busy with their questions.

Expect a few red herrings, possibly some plot twists and a few exaggerated truths along the way as the Detective and his sidekick Dusty Wills (Wesley Griffith) uncover more than simply a missing painting.

Most of the characters have hidden pasts and as you expect in a mystery play these become revealed. However,  none of these I will divulge as I don’t give away spoilers (of which there are loads).

Olivier award-winner Louie Whitemore’s set and costume designer brings the essence of a manor house to the stage with a large wooden cladded reception room, an old-fashioned wooden radio that answers back along with an authentic fireplace.

The costumes follow the rank and status of the characters. From the tweed suit worn by Lord Rayburn to the black and white Maids outfit. Each character is easily identified. Oh and keep an eye out for the gardeners who don’t appear to know what day it is and are very funny.

This is one detective mystery play I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend. If it’s coming to a theatre near you or you’re going to the Edinburgh Fringe, put it on your “to watch” list and see who really stole the painting.

For more information about Shoddy Detective and the Art of Deception and future productions at The Theatre Royal Winchester please use the links below. The company will also be performing at The Edinburgh Fringe in August 2025.

Five Stars.

https://www.theatreroyalwinchester.co.uk/whats-on

https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/a-shoddy-detective-and-the-art-of-deception

https://www.shoddydetective.com/

A laugh-out-loud slapstick whodunnit featuring four actors, a dozen characters and a whole load of chaos.

Creative & Production Team

Producers – Mitch Donaldson on behalf of Shoddy Theatre, Joshua Beaumont & Matthew Emeny on behalf of The Production Garden

Written & Developed by – Mitch Donaldson & Becky Bartram

Cast – Shoddy Theatre

Director – Mitch Donaldson

Associate Director – Matthew Emeny

Set & Costume Designer – Louie Whitemore

Lighting Designer & Technical Manager – Adam Jeffreys

Composer & Sound Designer – Sam Baxter

Production Manager – Adam Jeffreys

Set Builders –

Technical Stage Manager – Adam Jeffreys

Costume Supervisor –

Marketing Manager – Holly Salewski

Filmmaker & Videographer –

Graphic Designer – Rebecca Pitt

Promo Photographer – The Other Richard

Production Photographer –

Based on The Art of Deception by – Mitch Donaldson, Josh Thompson, Zach Devereaux, Lucy Wordsworth, Megan Froud & Nick Mulvey.