02-07-2025
Murder mystery play which will have audiences gripped takes to the stage tonight
A murder mystery play will take to the stage tonight - leaving the audience guessing throughout.
'The Proof of the Poison' by Falkland L. Cary and Philip Weathers will be acted out by the talented members of St Vincent's Dramatics Society.
And audiences can be sure of a well-plotted whodunnit. But what's it about?
The play starts with the unexpected death of James, the head of the Sanderson family. His death may be very convenient for some, but is it suspicious?
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No-one in the house has suspected that anything is amiss until the doctor refuses to sign the death certificate. which comes as a shock - except for the murderer.
(Image: Ian Charters)
And the question is, have they been clever enough to get away with it?
That's what Tricia Shorten thought when she was looking for the society's next play. Tricia, winner of the local district's National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA) Shining Star award for her recent directorial endeavours, said: "It's not always easy to find the right one. However, Bolton Amateur Theatre Societies (BATS) have encouraged their member societies to share details of the scripts they have, full sets or just a single copy.
"This was such a good starting point - we were considering performing a murder mystery this time, so even just looking at play titles gave me a few to consider.
"Looking online at the licence holders' websites then gave me the basics – the roles and an overview of the play. I was then able to get copies of a few different scripts to read from the local societies, and this one just felt right for us.'
'We are not a large society, so choosing a play with a larger number of roles can be a bit daunting. However, it has allowed us bring in new actors to the society as well as giving acting opportunities to our own actors. There will be both familiar and new faces on-stage for our audience to enjoy. "
(Image: Ian Charters)
She added: "We all work so hard to ensure the play is a success, both back-stage and on-stage, but it has to be fun too.
"We're all volunteers, looking to enjoy ourselves, right the way through from the initial design stages, all the rehearsals and during the week of the play.'
"Our award nominations mean so much to us as well, such an encouragement. And it's not just the lead roles that are recognised either. So often it's the supporting roles that add that bit of sparkle to a production, like Keith Hindley's NODA award-winning role in our recent play 'The Late Mrs Early' - by Norman Robbins."
(Image: Ian Charters)
The play is set in the 1950's, in the lounge of a country house, with an array of characters all apparently suspected of the murder - the fussily self-important brother Hector Sanderson, the eldest step-daughter Kate Wilson, her boyfriend Robert Boyd - employee at the Sanderson's company - and the younger step-daughter Nina Cooper. Then there's Helen Traynor, the reserved personal secretary, Mary the somewhat brusque housekeeper, not to forget laconic and always observant Aunt Agatha.
Family solicitor Mr Luce is soon on the scene, with surprise developments in the will and secrets being revealed.
Detective Inspector Harvis continues with the investigation, exposing a number of lies, and finding the poison in dramatic and shocking circumstances. But is it proof enough… and has the culprit been found?
The play is on for three nights and some tickets are still available - check Ticketsource, and the society's website
Performances are from tonight to Friday, July 4 2025, starting at 7:30pm in the Parish Hall, Rutherford Drive, Over Hulton, Bolton BL5 1DJ.
To find out about other productions in the local area, look online at or at and details are also on Facebook too.
