The Murder Game ** TNT

Thursday 09 April 2009 14:47 GMT

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The Murder Game

This article was first published on tntonline.co.uk on Thursday 09 April 2009 14:47 GMT.

In a lengthy programme note, American writer James Farwell thanks a long list of friends and helpers for their input and support. It’s a pity they weren’t more stringent with their criticism as the result of his “long-time dream” is a heavy-handed attempt at a screwball comedy which rarely hits its mark.

Things aren’t going too well for glamorous New Orleans Judge Katherine Kelly (Josefina Gabrielle) – she’s on the hit-list of a convicted criminal, her husband, district attorney Randall Kelly (bland Michael Praed) wants a divorce because he’s impregnated his paralegal, and their mutual friend Melvin (an ultra camp Patrick Clancy) is using her office phone to place losing bets on the horses. But at least her smarmy new beau, a Brazilian ex-footballer (Ben Jones) is paying her lots of attention.

Credulity is stretched ludicrously past breaking point, though, when both Kellys decide not only to hire a contract killer (Matt Healy) to rid each of the other, but also end up inviting him to dinner.

Farwell (an attorney and political consultant – this is his first play) sensibly sticks to an environment he’s familiar with and manages to tie up all the flailing ends, but the hardworking cast has its work cut out trying to breathe life into paper-thin characterisation, embarrassingly laboured jokes and an irredeemably ridiculous plot.

Kings Head Theatre, Upper Street, NI (0844 412 2953) till 19th April (£18- £23, concessions available)