Enniskillen Amateur Dramatic Society (EADS) returns to the Ardhowen stage next week for their annual production, when the oldest continually performing amateur dramatic society in Ireland will this year take a step back in time as they tackle Ken Ludwig’s whodunnit comedy, ‘The Game’s Afoot’.

The cast comprises actors from both Fermanagh and Donegal, including Christian Carbin, Amy Robinson, Padraig Connolly, Victoria Johnston, Conor Friery, Shelby Keys, Deborah Fallis and Tracey Kernaghan.

Directed by Nick Hambly, the play’s action takes place in December, 1936, when following an attempt on his life, Broadway star William Gillette (Christian Carbin) invites his cast-mates to his home to celebrate Christmas with him as he recovers.

Unknown to his guests – long-time friend Felix Geisel (Padraig Connolly), his wife, Madge (Victoria Johnston) and newlyweds Simon Bright (Conor Friery) and Aggie Wheeler (Shelby Keys) – Gillette has called them together not only to share some holiday spirit, but to try to find out the identity of the person who tried to kill him.

To the delight of no-one, neither his guests nor his mother, Martha (Amy Robinson), Gillette has also secretly invited the much-maligned Daria Chase (Deborah Fallis).

Twists and turns

True to the genre, The Game’s Afoot is full of twists and turns, misdirection and misadventure. While Gillette is busy sleuthing to solve his own mysterious attack, one of his guests falls victim to foul play, and the evening becomes a double-whodunnit.

By the time Inspector Harriet Gorring (Tracey Kernaghan) arrives on the scene in Act II, everybody is a suspect ...

Looking forward to the play and all of the joy that live theatre can bring, EADS’ President, Christian Carbin said: “In these troubled times, where we find ourselves bombarded on a daily basis with news of recession and the rising cost of living – not to mention the prospect of war in the east, and the gloomy weather – it is all too easy to find ourselves down in the dumps and feeling somewhat depressed.

“We at EADS want to change that, if only for a few hours, with our upcoming production of The Game’s Afoot.

“Join us for a night of intrigue, suspense and bellyaching hilarity in this riotously funny whodunnit with a fantastic cast of local and not-so-local actors, some gracing the stage with EADS for the first time, and some seasoned regulars.”

The Game’s Afoot will be performed at 8pm on February 16, 17 and 18 at the Ardhowen Theatre. Tickets are available via the Ardhowen website (www.ardhowen.com), or by contacting the box office at 028 6632 5440.

EADS will be supporting the work of the Enniskillen branch of the Riding for the Disabled Association by a donation taken from ticket sales sold on Thursday night’s performance, February 16.