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1930s: Just what does go on behind the curtain of a theatre….
Quick Curtain (British Library Crime Classics)
What you need to know before your trail
A murder mystery and musical takes place at the Grosvenor House in London. In the story, the leading man is killed and the actor plays his part with relish. Rather too well it turns out as one night a real bullet is real and he dies on stage in full view of everyone.
In the audience that night is Scotland Yard detective Wilson with his son Derek who is a journalist. When a second actor is found dead, the mystery has only just begun..
Travel Guide
Grosvenor Theatre
Quick Curtain is very evocative of a time when theatre was probably one of the major forms of entertainment, if not the most popular. Going to the theatre was an event in itself, an evening to dress up, join a party of friends or go with your husband or wife to a play or musical. New and novel forms of entertainment
This is written by a playwright himself who is keen to have as much fun with the genre as it possible. In the story, Blue Music is billed as a “Musical comedy operetta” in which Brandon Baker is killed by a real bullet. Imagine the shock of the audience, the fall out, the damage done to the theatre’s reputation, the shocking murder of someone in plain view of many witnesses.
These were the days of excitable theatre critics, of the Golden Age of theatre and a sneak peek behind the scenes of a theatre at the prime of its life. There are many old and decorative theatres in London which could help immerse you into the Golden Age of theatre. There are many old and Golden Age style theatres in the city – Wiltons Music Hall is one which really evoked memories of this novel and vice versa.
Booktrail Boarding Pass Information: Quick Curtain (British Library Crime Classics)
Author/Guide: Alan Melville Destination: London Departure Time:1930s
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