By Jack Deslandes
Jack Deslandes reviews Revunions’ comedic murder-mystery Dial ‘M’ for Mustard.
The Revunions’ new show, Dial M for Mustard, comes in the form of a play ‘definitely a play.’ Bristol’s favourite sketch comedy troupe moves into the realm of the feature length and tries to keep us laughing that little bit longer with their quasi-murder mystery.
Dial M for Mustard follows Detective Inspectors Martin Silver (Ben Gosling) and Fiona Wiley (Joy Molan) as they try to untangle the ‘whodunnit’ double hit of a harsh restaurant critic and a mustard mogul whilst guests at Mr. Hotel’s hotel. The inevitable Cluedo puns make welcome ground for some big laughs in the first act but the script becomes confused in its pinning of the murderer and whether or not it should stick to the traditional Mousetrap formula.
This seems to be its biggest downfall. Before the interval, the would-be murderers are revealed to the audience and the detectives painfully play catch-up throughout the second half. Despite satirising the trademark Poirot-twist, its ending isn’t satisfying enough to justify this break from tradition and DI Silver’s earnest incompetence doesn’t hold.
Though his character’s ineptitude occasionally tests patience, it is Revunions’ regular Ben Gosling’s performance that glues the show together. With every buffoonish remark and sly glance to the audience, Gosling relates sound comic timing and an impressive embodiment of character.
The overall narrative seems a little thin – or if you will, doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
Overall, Dial ‘M’ for Mustard makes for a fun night out that has the same feel as some classic Revunions sketches. Meta-jokes and puns galore will provide some good short laughs but the play’s structure will have you needing more to keep interest in the second act. Their wit is strong in a smartly written programme, and produces a consistently vocal response from the audience. But despite this, the overall narrative seems a little thin – or if you will, doesn’t quite cut the mustard.
