Murder's In the Heir
at Eden High School

Reviewed on April 22, 2023

Amy Lu
Ridley College
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

A captivating cast, a meticulously-crafted set, and interactive choose-your-own-adventure elements come together to create a suspenseful and riveting theatre experience.

Eden High School's production of "Murder's in the Heir" kicked off with a lengthy introduction from a character posing as the director of the play-within-a-play. This uniquely creative aspect provided relief from the serious plot which follows the Starkweather family, staff, and a couple of outsiders as they navigate a revised will that results in the loss of billions of dollars for many of them. The show's fourteen characters scramble to resolve their turmoil, while the "director" intermittently provides live feedback, breaking the fourth wall in an immersive and amusing way. The production also features nine different possible endings, giving the audience a chance to choose the show's outcome. This interactive feature added an extra layer of excitement to the show.

The production was truly a spectacle to behold. The student production crew's meticulously crafted set and devotion to creating a thoroughly authentic experience paid off for the audience. The hand-stenciled wallpaper on the back on the set and the intricate decorations, including real food props and medical tools, displayed the depth of detail put into the production.

Shieh Lively played the pensive detective and his compelling acting not only drove the story forward, but his confident stage presence hooked the audience in and brought them along as he investigated the murder and culprit.

Meanwhile, Owen Culp played a most convincingly haughty butler, Bensonhurst, whose consistent disputes with the crude and comparably unrefined handyman, played by Dante Palumbo, was a regular and routine means of comedic relief. Georgia Enns switched between being a shy, bumbling girl and a plotting, murderous maid with ease. While some actors could have benefitted from more exaggerated characterizations, others, such as Ava McVittie's expressively jolly but air-headed widow, were a merry sight to watch.

Throughout the night, lighting and sound contributed to establishing a mood and transitioning between scenes. The lighting, (Theo Fletcher and Johanna Jablonka), and the sound, (Hailey Jacques and Lenny Vanstaalduinen), complemented each other to allow the audience to feel the authenticity of the thunder cracking outside and the lightning reflecting on the walls. Credit is also due to the stage managers (Angelina Huang and Julia King), who gave cues and worked with the cast and crew so everything would be on point.

From casting calls in October to their eighth and final performance this April, the cast and crew of "Murder's in the Heir" left the audience feeling satisfied with their chosen ending and with fulfilled expectations of this thrilling murder mystery.

Sameera Ahmad
Sir Winston Churchill
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

Eden High School's rendition of "Murder's in the Heir" by Billy St. John is an interactive, immersive, and intimate comedic murder-mystery with more endings than one. With student-made sets, costumes, and an ominous theme-song, this whodunit mystery is larger than life.

The play takes place on a November evening, when billionaire Simon Starkweather invites his living relatives and household staff to discuss his will - and a murder occurs. Detective Mike Davis, played by Shieh Lively, puts on his thinking cap as he investigates all nine suspects in the Starkweather Mansion.

The intriguing mystery plot provides compelling factors to suspect anyone as the murderer. Taking a turn on the interactive side, the audience plays the role of an "armchair detective," where they select who the murderer is, thus impacting the story's end.

Balancing comedy and seriousness, ironic jokes of Mr.Starkweather's death were made by the characters, who fit together like puzzle pieces and complemented one another despite their independent personalities. Rufus Jones the Handyman, (Dante Palumbo), was a clueless staff member who often butted heads with Bensonhurst the Butler (Owen Culp). The audience chuckled as their mismatched personalities and strikingly different body language provided comedic value as one character's enjoyment caused the other's despair.

Paula Thompson the Southern Belle, (Lauren Jonah), gained the spotlight with her peachy sweet, southern accent and cartoonish facial expressions that elevated her performance. Tasked with the responsibility of performing a multitude of possible endings, actors occasionally tripped over their lines, but quickly reclaimed themselves and moved steadily ahead.

Creative, personalized colour palettes and vision boards were created for all the characters, giving each a unique, larger-than-life look. From their accessories to their make-up, these visions were ably executed by the Eden Hair and Makeup Crew, and Costume Design team, where they thoughtfully paired each aspect of the look together, making the characters bold and interesting.

Cleverly using the intimate-sized theatre, no microphones were used in this performance, giving a more personal experience; however, at times it was difficult to hear particular words. This issue was solved in the second act when the actors spoke more clearly. Lighting and sound cues were on time with strategic entrances and exits that left the audience anticipating the contents of the next scene. Donovan Losier created the mansion's hand-stencilled wallpaper that symbolized strands of the play, featuring a skull, a question mark, and a pregnant woman. His attention to detail created realism and depth that made the audience feel as if they were in the mansion itself, with the set's cozy, yet eerie pieces of furniture and dark colour scheme.

Overall, Eden High School put on a memorable performance that will be remembered for years to come. "Murder's in the Heir" highlighted student creativity and included details that left an impression on the audience's minds, leaving them wanting more.

Ambar Foster
Sir Winston Churchill
Submitted for publication to St. Catharines Standard

A murder happening on a dark and stormy night...with nine possible endings to the mystery.

"Murder's in the Heir," performed by Eden High School, presents a mysterious and comedic play filled with twists and turns and unexpected finales. When billionaire Simon Starkweather is murdered in the first act, one of his nine heirs must be to blame. This interactive, murder-mystery comedy lets the audience decide the outcome of the murder, and the cast created a perfectly entertaining balance of comedic and dark aspects.

"Murder's in the Heir" is a play-within-a-play, with a "director" intervening throughout the show, adding humorous interjections. Not only was it a charming extra character who added a lighthearted attitude to the murder, but he also explained the story behind the options and incomplete ending, which assisted with the overall understanding of the show.

Having an unknown ending may come as a shock to the audience, but the cast executed a fantastic finale. Everyone embodied their roles and made sure to perfect every detail, such as a consistent accent done by Lauren Jonah as the Southern Belle of the heirs. The audience-determined murderer, Jordan Starkweather, played by Sam Kearney, always held his playboy swagger. Kearney's final villain monologue was delivered convincingly, especially considering it was one of nine possible denouements.

Set design and props also played an important role in creating the foreboding locale. The set displayed as a cozy living room during a stormy night, and in the modest theatre at Eden High School the audience seemed as if they were watching the mystery unravel on an opposite couch. The set was also intricately detailed by being hand-stenciled, with symbolism discreetly painted into the wallpaper. The use of lighting was exceptional throughout the night, especially during the second act when detective Mike Davis, played by Shieh Lively, was interrogating the suspects. After the murder of the old billionaire, the slow reveal of who was out for blood was presented through flashbacks of earlier conversations. The use of the spotlight during these moments was creative.

Props also played a prominent role in the play, including real food presented as hors d'oeuvres, an IV for the old billionaire, a knife, an ax, and a wrench. Another way the crew of "Murder's in the Heir" added more detail was through makeup. For example, old Mr. Starkweather was noteworthy because of the detailed creases on his forehead and his cheeks, and the beard for Detective Davis was remarkable.

Not only was the acting and set fantastic and immersive, but the unique ending options entertained the audience with a fresh twist on a classic genre.