After a fire at the Duchess Theatre, Riverside Drama looked set to axe its next show but the group has found a new venue and the show will go on.

It may be a cliche but the show really must go on. And, despite the loss of Long Eaton's Duchess Theatre to a huge fire last Saturday night, Riverside Drama Company has moved venue at the 11th hour and will now perform their latest offering, Secondary Cause of Death, at St John's Church Hall, Canal Street, Long Eaton. 

An hilarious murder farce set on the eve of the Second World War, the group have been working on the production for almost six months and a spokesman said: "We couldn't put that much into it and not go ahead with it. 

"it was dreadful news about the Duchess and we hope it can be rebuilt as soon as possible. 

"In the meantime, though, we have to help keep amateur dramatics alive in the town and we have managed to secure an alternative venue at very short notice.

"We must thank the church and their resident group, the St John's Players, for their help and co-operation, and we hope everyone will come along and rally round. 

"It is important all the groups stick together right now and help each other through what will be a very,difficult time.

"It's hard to believe the Duchess has all but gone overnight and, as it was so popular, I am sure there will be a strong feeling in the town that it must be restored as soon is humanly possible." 

In the meantime, Riverside hope to put a smile quickly back on the faces of the town's distraught theatre-goers with Peter Gordon's sidesplitting Secondary Cause of Death. 

This is the follow up to Murdered to Death - much favoured by the amateurs scene. 

It is 1939 and the storm clouds are gathering across Europe.

Having inherited Bagshot House, Colonel Craddock has converted the property into a hotel for the discerning visitor. 

Soon, Inspector Pratt arrives at the house bearing grim news for the Colonel, but that's just the beginning. 

Who is the strange Polish Count? 
Is Henrietta really an Army Captain? 
And where does the flamboyant thespian Cardew Longfellow fit into the picture?

When Joan Maple's sister Cynthia arrives to stage a murder mystery evening, it's not long before Pratt's visit turns into a chaotic nightmare as the bodies pile higher than ever! 

If this sounds like a homage to Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, then you'd be right although, in the words of Martin Holtom, co- ordinator of the Riverside Drama Company, "It's more of a stupid spoof murder mystery really. 

"We did Murdered to Death back in 1995 and it's good once again to do something that calls for caricature and over the top acting. 

"Basically, it's pantomime without the cross dressing " 

Directed by Rob Osmond, this production sees Pat Tuffin taking on the role of the hapless Inspector Pratt. 

Martin is in for a busy time, playing the dual roles of Colonel Craddock and Cardew Longfellow. 

Liz O'Hara plays Captain Henrietta Woolmer-Cardington and Moya Magee will be Cynthia Maple, joined by Janet Bradbery as Lily Tuthill, John Lomas as Count Puchlik, Pat Clarke as Lady Isadora Pollock, Jo East as Martha Armstrong and, making her stage debut with the group, is Amy Hall as Nurse Ann Parsley. 

"We try to do a variety of things at Riverside," says Martin, when asked about how the company decided on their latest production. 

"Comedy is the main strand that goes through the whole of our membership but we tend to go for a wide variety of shows that give all of the group, or new members, the chance to get on stage. 

"In June, we did Educating Rita which is a two hander, so this is an opportunity to get all of the people who weren't involved with it a chance." 

Unlike other groups, Riverside doesn't have a committee when it comes to deciding what productions will be staged. 

"Somebody will go to the library and pull out some scripts that we then have a read through and collectively decide what we will do for the year," says Martin. 

"Then someone will volunteer to direct, and off we go. 

"We're lucky enough to be able to do all of these things without bringing anyone else in." 

So what does Martin think Riverside's production of Secondary Cause of Death offers its audience? 

"You'll see a group of people who are very enthusiastic, talented and supportive of each other in a play that has an extremely large number of laughs," he says. 

"What more do you want out of a night out?"

SECONDARY CAUSE OF DEATH
November 27-29
St John's Church Hall, Canal Street, Long Eaton
Riverside Players present the Peter Gordon comedy at 7.30pm nightly. Tickets £5 adults (£3.50 concessions)