Synopsis

Cassiopeia Wrigglesworth-Bottomley-Smythe is the leading light of the local drama group, always demanding the leading role, no matter how unsuitable. Her husband Bertram is director of the group, but can’t cope with Cassiopeia off-stage or on, constantly being accused of having a stream of mistresses. Cassiopeia suspects that neighbour Anastasia might be Bertram’s latest paramour, and casts her as the body, hoping Bertram might give himself away. Unfortunately, cleaner Molly finds the make-believe corpse beforehand and calls the police.

When Detective Inspector Whelping and Constable Shortley arrive, Cassiopeia is afraid of becoming a laughing stock in the local village, and she and Bertram try to bluff things out instead of revealing the true state of affairs.

Whelping and Shortley prove to be an ineffectual detecting team, and truth and invention become blurred in the misdirection and misunderstandings which follow. Whelping discovers a trail of tomato sauce near the body and decides that it’s a vital clue. Anastasia’s had enough of being a dead body and stalks off, but her disappearance isn’t noticed.

Aspiring actress Esmeralda arrives, convincing Whelping that a French hunchback and an exotic dancer have jointly committed the crime. Whelping sends Shortley to find some more clues. Anastasia returns as the body but soon leaves again, and her place is taken by Esmeralda. Whelping concludes that a serial killer is on the loose.

Shortley returns with a bottle of tomato sauce, which convinces Whelping that Molly is the murderer. To prevent Molly’s arrest, Bertram owns up to the deception and reveals that no crime has been committed. Whelping eventually leaves with Constable Shortley.

Duration

Characters