Caroline Graham, now 94, won a Crime Writers’ Association Award for her first Inspector Barnaby novel The Killings at Badger’s Drift, dating from 1987. It was adapted for television in 1997 and was the most-watched TV drama that year, since then there have been many more, all set in the same crime-ridden part of the UK!
At present, almost every “new” play seems to be an adaptation of a book, film, or television series, and, to be frank, many of them are dull and instantly forgettable, so it is very pleasant to be able to report that Guy Unsworth’s reworking is simply superb! It is stylish, very amusing, well-constructed, adds a layer to both the novel and the TV episode and makes for a hugely relaxing, enjoyable evening in the theatre!
Unsworth has also directed his play and, realising that there is very little action but a great deal of talking and explanation in the original, has decided to play it slightly larger than life, but always believably. Most of the nine-strong cast have roles which are slightly caricatured and each actor throws themself into their various roles with great gusto and enthusiasm, which is just what Unsworth asks for! The pace is brisk – no time wasted on scene changes, but items of furniture quickly trucked in and out often very amusingly and everyone, with one exception, playing it tongue-in-cheek” – and it works beautifully. In fact, Unsworth should give master classes on how to successfully adapt novels for the stage! I could suggest various people who would greatly benefit from such a course!
However, the direction is artful, because there is one actor who plays the whole thing totally straight – Daniel Casey as Inspector Tom Barnaby – which adds to the delight of the whole evening. His is the voice of sanity and no matter how larger than life his fellow actors are, he steers the course of good sense. Those who remember the early ITV “Midsomer Murders” will know that Casey played Barnaby’s ‘side-kick’ Sergeant Gavin Troy, and, as Barnaby, Casey does not even attempt to emulate John Nettles’ portrayal of the Detective Chief Inspector, but totally inhabits the role as he sees it, and very effectively.
James Bradwell makes an amusingly dense Detective Sergeant Troy and, of the excellent ensemble cast, Julie Legrand is very amusing as Lucy Bellringer, getting the play off to a terrific start. Rupert Sadler is a very strange funeral director and John Dougall truly inhabits the role of Iris Rainbird, Rupert’s mother. Others who impress include Chandrika Chevli as Dr Bullard and Nathalie Barclay as Katherine Lacey. The whole ensemble contrives to make you feel as if the cast is much larger than it actually is by inventively doubling many roles.
David Woodhead’s attractive set, including the aforementioned electronic, computerised trucks whizzing on and off stage, adds to the mayhem, and his costumes are very apt, greatly aided by Suzy Barrett’s wigs. Ella Wahlstrom and Max Pappenheim have conjured up very apt music and sound effects and Matt Haskins’ lighting is as unobtrusive and atmospheric as well-designed lighting should be.
I spoke to several members of the audience at Theatre Royal Brighton who claimed never to have seen Midsomer Murders on television, nor to have read the books, and they all said they enjoyed the new play immensely, as, apparently, did all the audience by the spontaneous cheering at the curtain call. The Killings at Badger’s Drift is a very successful and most enjoyable evening in the theatre – highly recommended! Do see it at Brighton if you can, but if not, it is continuing its tour until the summer.
Review by John Groves
When well-loved spinster Emily Simpson is found dead in the picturesque village of Badger’s Drift, her friend Lucy Bellringer refuses to accept it was an accident. DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy are called in to investigate, uncovering a world of hidden passions, long-buried secrets and deadly rivalries.
With eccentric villagers, shocking twists and an unforgettable reveal, The Killings at Badger’s Drift is a classic whodunnit that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats. Bringing to life the wit, charm, and chilling suspense of the beloved TV series and original series of books, this gripping and thrilling new show is set to delight audiences.
Daniel Casey – Inspector Barnaby
James Bradwell – Sergeant Troy
With Nathalie Barclay, Chandrika Chevli, John Dougall, Julie Legrand, Rupert Sadler, Chris Agha and Rhîan Crowley-McLean
Caroline Graham – Original Novel’s Author
Guy Unsworth – Writer and Director
David Woodhead – Set and Costume Designer
Matt Haskins – Lighting Designer
Ella Wahlström – Sound Designer
Max Pappenheim – Composer
Ginny Schiller CDG – Casting Director
Sarah Stacey – Associate Director
MIDSOMER MURDERS: THE KILLINGS AT BADGER’S DRIFT
Theatre Royal Brighton, 3 to 7 February 2026
Tour continues to 13 June 2026
