SPARKLING performances from an all-star cast delighted a capacity crowd on a blustery Bonfire Night in Blackpool.

Successful thriller writers Harry (Robert Powell) and Paul (David Griffin from Keeping up Appearances) have devised complex murder plots together, but now Harry has decided to branch out alone to try and produce a long-running hit show, as he says, "another Mousetrap".

Paul, afraid he would not survive without Harry, set out to blackmail him, whereupon, in good thriller fashion, the only course of action was for Harry and his wife Emma (the lovely Liza Goddard) to plan the perfect murder.

Brimming with suspense, surprises in store and laughs along the way, the story twisted and turned until the final unravelling.

Robert Powell's wry humour was reminiscent of his role in The Detectives, and some Pythonesque dialogue was bantered between he and the Inspector (Michael Kirk.)

Not surprising then, to discover that the writer, Edward Taylor, had also penned such works as Round the Horne and The Men from the Ministry.

You will be on the edge of your seat trying to work out who dunnit, and if indeed, anyone did.

To quote Paul, "Murder mysteries are never what they seem at first."

Murder by Misadventure keeps you guessing and gasping until the very last minute.

MURDER BY MISADVENTURE - The Grand Theatre, Blackpool

Until November 10