ITS MURDER as a South Craven theatre group returns to the stage for the first time in almost three years.

The body count rises fast as Sutton’s Green Hut Theatre Company presents an Agatha Christie-style whodunnit next month.

But all will not be what it seems when the story of family feuding, cunning plots and gruesome deeds unfolds at Sutton Village Hall.

Comedy is the nature of the game in this spoof murder mystery, with a non-stop parade of hilarious mishaps happening both on stage and off.

Five real-life actors portray members of the Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society who are in turn attempting to perform a Murder Mystery.

The mystery is set in a 1940s mansion where members of the Bishop family assemble to hear the contents of Sir Reginald’s will. Somebody is bumping off the siblings one by one.

The Townswomen’s Guild members are forced to play several characters each, changing costumes at breakneck pace and messing their lines while suffering scenery, sound and lighting chaos.

The Green Hut production is a family affair – two families in fact – with the cast comprising mother-and-daughter Alison and Emma Jayne Waters, and parents-and-daughter Katrina, David and Jamie Knights.

Four of the actors will return to the stage in December as part of the cast of the Green Hut’s first pantomime in three years, Aladdin.

The Murder Mystery will be performed at Sutton Village Hall on Friday and Saturday September 9 and 10 at 7.15pm. Visit ticketsource.co.uk/suttons-green-hut-theatre-company to book tickets, which cost £8 each.

The Green Hut would welcome children aged eight and above to join the cast of Aladdin. Rehearsals begin in September on Friday evenings. Parents can contact 07768 964110 or email suttongreenhuttheatre@gmail.com.