Murder Before Evensong

adapted from the novel by Reverend Richard Coles

by Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna

The sleepy Cotsworld village of Champton St Mary - and the life of its Rector, Daniel Clement - is disturbed when the body of the archivist from Champton Manor is found savagely murdered in the nave of the medieval church. It will not prove to be the only killing which Daniel, working with Detective Neil Vanloo, has to get to the bottom of.

Directed by Paul Hart

Designed by Ceci Calf

Lighting Design by Charly Dunford

Sound Design by Stephen Atkinson

Video Design by Rachel Sampley

Intimacy Co-ordination by Foxy

Associate Director Lilac Yosiphon

The play premiered at the Watermill Theatre, Newbury on September 29th 2026 and runs until November 14th

The show is a fantastic mixture of gripping amateur sleuthing, 1980s nostalgia and outstanding performances that make it the epitome of cosy crime.

All That Dazzles

The plot starts to cast its spell, combining painful memories of there Second World War and the struggles of people young and old fighting sexual prejudice.

The Times

A model of economy and stagecraft…. an endearing entertainment fuelled more by character than plot and an adroit combination of wry humour and grisly murder.

The Stage

It has found its ideal stage home, as a mystery that is both comic and suspenseful… I probably shouldn’t advise to “kill for a ticket” but missing this would be a crime!

What’sOnStage

Paul Hart and Shaun McKenna’s adaptation of there script has made the most of Coles’ gentle sense of humour, often eliciting guffaws from the audience.

Stage Talk Magazine

Adapted by Shaun McKenna with direction by Paul Hart, its slow burn execution allows room to show how the murder impacts all of Champton.

BroadwayWorld