THERE have been many tears shed by those affected by the devastating fire at Long Eaton's Duchess Theatre, but the show must go on and the Riverside Drama Company acted swiftly to find alternative premises to stage its murder farce Secondary Cause of Death. 

St John's Church Hall in nearby College Street, Long Eaton, provided a lifeline for the Bramcote-based theatre group and, much to the delight of everyone involved with Riverside, the production went ahead and was well received by audiences attending three side-splitting performances of Peter Gordon's play. 

The company was to have staged Secondary Cause of death at the Duchess just a few days after the fire scuppered Riverside's plans, along with other groups, including the Arcade players and Orchard Theatre Company, who both chose to postpone their productions to next year at alternative venues.

The help and support given to Riverside drama company certainly was a big plus and was greatly appreciated by the group's leader Martin Holtom and those involved with the company.

"We have been tremendously impressed by the community spirit, positive help and co-operation of everyone who have made it Possible for us to stage our play in the church hall. 

"We owe much to the church, to fellow drama groups such as the St John's Players and the Arcade Players, whose members have come along to help us through a difficult time," said Mr Holtom. 

Secondary Cause of death, was a follow-up to the equally hilarious Murdered to Death, which was staged by Riverside in 1995, and brought to the fore one of the most hapless crime-solvers ever in Inspector Pratt, who certainly lives up to his name. 

Set on the eve of the Second World War, Peter Gordon's incident-packed play brought together a host of colourful characters who gather at Colonel Craddock's country home, Bagshot House, which he has converted into a hotel for the discerning visitor. 

Cynthia Maple, who has long lived in the shadows of her more illustrious sister Joan, arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, almost at the same time as Inspector Pratt, and their presence together is the signal for a chaotic nightmare of happenings, with murder on the menu! 

With flamboyant Cardew Longfellow, the vociferous Count Kuchler, Army Captain Henrietta Woolmer-Cardington, Lady Isadora Pollock, Nurse Ann Parsley and Maid Lily Tuthill all in the frame for murder, the picture became clearer as bodies littered the stage like confetti. 

As the mayhem unfolded, the laughs came thick and fast too, adding to a production that lifted the spirits and lightened the gloom from what had gone before at the Duchess Theatre. 

Directed by Rob Osmond, Secondary Cause of Death brought out the best from an accomplished cast, with Pat Tuffin, as the bumbling inspector, Martin Holtom in great form in his dual roles of Colonel Craddock and Cardew Longfellow, and the excellent Moya Magee as the unlikely murderer Cynthia Maple, setting the standards. 

Joanna East's appearance as Martha Armstrong, was short and sweet, an early victim of Cynthia Maple's killing spree, while Pat Clarke who played Lady Isadora Pollock, John Lomas as Count Puchlik, Liz O'Hara, Captain Woolmer-Cardington, newcomer Amy Hall (Nurse Ann Parsley) and Janet Bradbery (Lily Tuthill) were all on the hit list. 

A production team comprising director Rob Osmond, stage manager Donna Chinn, set designer Bob Baron, and costume coordinator Janet Bradbery among others, worked valiantly to help make staging of the play possible. 

Under the circumstances, Riverside Drama Company can be proud of what it has achieved against the odds. 

Though the fire at the Duchess Theatre did have a devastating effect, one good thing to come out of a terrible happening is that it has brought those involved with amateur dramatics in the area much closer together. 

"The spirit of camaraderie has shone through and there's no doubt that sooner, rather than later, a new Duchess Theatre will rise out of the ashes to provide bigger and better opportunities for those who love treading the boards," said Riverside member John Lomas. 

Plans are being considered to rebuild the theatre, and Leon Wade, chairman of Long Eaton and District Arts Council's executive committee said the cost of rebuilding would be covered by insurance. 

"We will start with a clean slate and completely rebuild a new theatre which we hope will be named the Duchess. We wish to raise funds to add to the insurance so we can provide a, bigger and better facility for theatre-users and theatregoers," said Mr Wade. 

A fund-raising appeal named the Chatsworth Centre Phoenix Fund has been launched and anyone wishing to contribute should contact membership secretary Ivan Jacklin, who is also seeking people to become 'friends' of the Chatsworth Centre. "To become a 'friend' a person would have to donate a minimum sum of £IO a year in order to secure the theatre's future," said Mr Jacklin. 

To make a donation to the cause or to become a 'friend' contact Mr Jacklin on 0115 973 4918.