OVER 20 Millicent people expressed an interest on Monday night in taking part in a “murder”.
It was a strong turnout to the casting call for a locally-staged melodrama scheduled for autumn.
The story of a Millicent “murder” will be acted out on April 6 as part of the annual Geltwood Craft Festival.
For the past two festivals, members of the Millicent branch of the National Trust have invited the public to a Murder at the Museum night.
Around a year ago, they staged a who-done-it in the Living History museum and its grounds with 40 members and supporters donning 1920s-era clothes and providing clues to around 200 paying guests.
The 2017 Murder Mystery Night was set in the 1870s.
Murder Mystery Night coordinator and Millicent National Trust secretary Chris Parmenter is again the author of the 2019 event as he was of the past two.
Dubbed The Murder of the Mode Mechanic, Mr Parmenter said the coming event would have a 1960s theme and the shipwreck room turned into a disco for the night.Mr Parmenter said the action around the grounds will be accompanied by music of the 1960s.
“Visitors will weave their way through hippies and protestors, Beatle wannabe’s and girls in mini-skirts, gurus and cocktails as they try to unravel the clues and figure out who-done-it,” Mr Parmenter said.
“Suspects include the local crime boss, the potential father-in-law and the spurned older woman.
“We want visitors to dress up in their best bodgies and widgies outfits and help us solve this gruesome crime.
“There are prizes for the first correct answer, popular costume and a lucky door prize.
‘If you would like to be involved in the performance, leave your name and contact details at the Millicent Visitor Information Centre.”
Mr Parmenter designed the promotional poster and also led the hour-long casting call at the South East Family History Group Research Centre in Millicent.
In a new move for 2019, the Millicent Murder Mystery Night will be linked to an event on April 13 at the Old Courthouse in Mount Gambier.
The Mount Gambier National Trust will stage a theatre-style mock trial of the murder suspect in the historic building.
A preliminary casting session was held the Old Courthouse on Sunday where community interest in the event and specific roles were canvassed.
