For 2012, The Fringe Files selected whodunit parody The Cook Did It! written by British Playwright Michael Starr. Although this play had been performed previously, this was the first staging of it in England.
THE PLOT
The once thriving Old Barn Country Hotel plays host to an unwanted spate of sinister deaths. However, nobody is convicted, public interest quickly wanes and the cases are filed away as unsolved. Cue Jenkins, a local video store clerk and keen amateur detective, who believes he has unravelled a pattern linking the victims.
Jenkins undertakes the task of identifying the killer armed with notes written on a collection of multi-coloured post-it pads. Unfortunately events soon take a turn for the worse and suspicion becomes rife amongst the guests. Suddenly everybody has something to hide, except the cook, who’s really nice.
THE TIMETABLE & BOX OFFICE LINKS
THE TEAM
For this production The Fringe Files welcomed new members Ian Tapner, Gordon Watson, Jenny Ball, Nathalie Eeckhout, Adam Holland and Lauren Bowen. Founding members Michael Starr, Arianne Wolodarsky and Quintin Mitchell returned along with American based artist Jeff Haas.
The Fringe Files designed (for the first time) a brand new purpose built touring set. Much of the multimedia was brought in-house following significant investment and continued focus on self sustainability. At the Woking Drama Festival, The Cook Did It! was nominated for three awards. Best lighting (Gordon Watson), Best male actor (Michael Starr) and Best new stage play.
The Fringe Files kept a detailed production blog for this show which documented images, videos, thoughts and news throughout the production run. You can view the entire running blog by clicking here.
MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION FILES
THE CREDITS
| Arianne Wolodarsky | Props Master / Artist / Tech |
| Jeff Haas | Artist |
| Ian Tapner | Stage Design |
| Gordon Watson | Tech |
| Quintin Mitchell | Performer / Director |
| Michael Starr | Performer / Writer / Producer |
| Nathalie Eeckhout | Performer |
| Adam Holland | Performer |
| Jenny Ball | Performer |
| Lauren Bowen | Performer |
| Fernando | Bristol Support Act |