A whodunit with a local twist

Transcona

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This article was published 09/04/2025 (498 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There’ll be a murder at Regent Manor, and audiences are invited.

From April 24 to 27, the Transcona Memorial United Church’s theatre company, Caught in the Act Co., will perform Murder at Regent Manor for dinner theatre audiences from April 24 to 27 in the hall at its home church (209 Yale Ave. W). The company’s annual dinner theatre productions are fundraisers for the church.

“We’re still, as a church, recovering from COVID,” said Cheryl Hadaller, producer of this year’s show. “This event, we’ve heard from people that it really opens up the opportunity for us to have the church be all together and very welcoming. Our sign says ‘Welcoming to All’, and we really do work towards making that experience for our guests.”

The play, a whodunit, was written by Michael Druce and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, out of Denver, Colo.

“It is a murder mystery at Regent Manor. It takes place in the 1950s and… a family member… has asked her family to come and hear the reading of her will,” Hadaller explained. “There’s a drop-in person named Miss Jane Maple, who comes upon the manor and has to stay overnight. She is known for, wherever she travels, murders occur. She overhears the will-reading and then murders begin to happen.”

Hadaller said the show should delight audiences who enjoy a good mystery — and a good meal.

“There’s suspense, pretty colourful characters, some fun music, a new set on stage, and a buffet meal that we’re having,” she said. “There’s a bit more open space for seating, too, so we’re hoping to make it a little more comfortable.”

While this is Hadaller’s first year as producer of Caught in the Act Co., she has been on stage for the past two productions. However, the step behind the scenes has come naturally to her.

“I did that at my event planning years working at U of M, and also assisting family and friends with event planning, weddings and socials and all that,” she said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn a community event. I really could not do any of it without the help of the production team that I have. There are 13 of us in total working towards making it a success.”

The 13 crew members and 12 cast members aren’t the only people who make the annual production a success. In total, 208 volunteers are needed to pull it all off.

“I find it a real joy to be a person to help the church present this to the community,” Hadaller said. “I really appreciate that the Transcona community and larger Winnipeg community are embracing our show and dinner theatre. It’s been very rewarding.”

Tickets for Murder at Regent Manor are $55, and include dinner, dessert, and refreshment, along with a $20 tax receipt. At press time, only about 10 tickets were left. For more information, visit tmuc.ca/dinner-theatre