‘Midsomer Murders', the popular, long-running British detective drama that became a staple of weekly TV schedules, has translated rather beautifully to the stage. This touring production of creator Caroline Graham's story ‘The Killings at Badger's Drift' is set in the familiar fictional English county of Midsomer, a seemingly idyllic rural area of picturesque villages, eccentric locals, oh – and an astonishing number of murders!
Fans of the series will be delighted to see actor Daniel Casey take the lead. Having played sidekick Sergeant Troy on screen, he's earned his stripes and been promoted to the role of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby for ‘The Killings at Badger's Drift'.
The whodunnit plot is as labyrinthine as you'd expect if you've ever seen the show. In fact, ‘The Killings at Badger's Drift' was the very first episode. When the elderly Emily Simpson dies after apparently falling in the woods, having just found a rare flower, most locals assume it was an accident. But her dotty friend Lucy Bellringer suspects murder and contacts DCI Tom Barnaby. It doesn't take much digging for Barnaby and the dependable Sergeant Troy to uncover a sinister web of secrets and latent scandals lurking within the apparently peaceful village community. This encompasses blackmail, affairs, visits to brothels, murders from years earlier and even a spot of… well, never mind, that would be a spoiler too far…
With only seven main cast members and a multitude of characters, the actors have their work cut out doubling or even tripling up on parts. I've seen this done badly plenty of times, and on other occasions it's been unintentionally funny (when the same unlucky actor dies on stage more than once). But in ‘Midsomer Murders', they lean deliciously into the absurdities that this theatrical convention throws up and embrace it to the hilt. This sets the tone for the play. There is a genuine, clever, layered whodunnit at the heart of the story. Armchair sleuths will relish the opportunity to try unravelling the strands in their heads. Groups will enjoy taking bets on who the murderer is at the interval – there are plenty of characters with secrets and motives to choose from! But the show is relentlessly entertaining, and the sparkling script (adapted by director Guy Unsworth) is full of laugh-out-loud lines and humorous moments.
The cast members, as well as doing a sterling job backstage with lightning-fast costume changes, are universally good. Daniel Casey manages to be both commanding and amiable as Barnaby, I guess having learnt from the best. James Bradwell steps convincingly into the role of Sergeant Troy and wins a good number of laughs. Their rapport is excellent and ensures the production is well-grounded. We adored Julie Legrand in all her roles, but especially as Lucy Bellringer, the elderly aspiring Miss Marple. It's a memorable and well-written part, but she pitches eccentricity perfectly. The most impressive in drawing a contrast between characters is Chandrika Chevli, who is hilariously repellent as the village doctor's tarty second wife, and equally as adept at playing the no-nonsense Dickie Whiteley. John Dougall also deserves credit for alternating between several comic grotesques. Despite the fun that the cast evidently have with their roles, it is not indulgent. Discipline is maintained and the timing stays pacy: this should be aimed for throughout the run.
All production elements come together effectively for ‘Midsomer Murders'. We loved the set design by David Woodhead, which is adaptable, inventive and makes great use of models. This cleverly reinforces the idea of Badger's Drift as the perfect model (yet all is not what it seems) village.
‘Midsomer Murders – The Killings at Badger's Drift' is funny, fast-paced and engaging. The script could, perhaps, have used a little tightening, and some of the more convoluted aspects of the plot are unveiled in a heavily expositional manner (so pay attention or you'll definitely miss something!) But with few reservations, the show is heartily recommended, especially for those who enjoy a murder mystery in a quaint English setting. The story makes some serious points: Lucy Bellringer is concerned that her good friend's death will be overlooked or dismissed simply because she was elderly. It takes Barnaby to listen to her theories and follow up on them. It also takes delight in exposing the hypocrisies that so often lurk within sleepy village populations. If serious police procedural dramas are more your thing, then this show may not tick the right boxes. But we loved the humorous touches, larger than life characters and involved plot that all came together in the end. It would be fantastic to see Daniel Casey and James Bradwell reprise their roles bring ‘Midsomer Murders' back to the stage in future with more murder cases for Barnaby and Troy to crack. Preferably with the same supporting cast!
Cast: Daniel Casey, James Bradwell, Nathalie Barclay, Chandrika Chevli, John Dougall, Julie Legrand, Rupert Sadler, Chris Agha, Rhian Crowley-McLean Writer: Guy Unsworth (adapting Caroline Graham's novel) Director: Guy Unsworth Running time: 140 mins including interval Theatre: The Churchill, Bromley Dates: 12th – 16th May 2026 Buy tickets for ‘Midsomer Murders'
