Team behind Fleabag bring smash-hit comedy musical ‘Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder!’ to Bristol Old Vic

Attention, fans of comedy, musicals, and plot-twist-heavy whodunnits: BFFs and hosts of ‘Hull’s least successful true crime podcast’ Kathy and Stella have arrived, and they’re here, ostensibly at least, to help.

“This is impossible! We’ve got no motives. No suspects. We don’t know anything! Who knew solving a murder would be so hard?”

Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder! comes from the Oliver Award-winning creative team behind Fleabag, Baby Reindeer and A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad), once more bringing together writer/director Jon Brittain with musical director Matthew Floyd Jones.

Imelda Warren Green, Jodie Jacobs and TJ Lloyd in Kathy & Stella Solve a Murder

Following a sell-out run at the Fringe in 2022, the show is returning to Edinburgh in August, before tranferring to Bristol Old Vic for a two week run beginning on September 13.

Bronté Barbé and Rebekah Hinds are reprising their lead roles as Kathy and Stella, joined in the ensemble by Imelda Warren-Green, Jodie Jacobs, TJ Lloyd, Jacob Kohli, Sarah Pearson and Chelsea Hall. In a break from rehearsals, Barbé shared her thoughts with Bristol24/7.

How are rehearsals going?

“Great thank you. It’s been a massive challenge changing the show from its original in-the-round staging to the classic end-on but we’re getting there!”

How would you describe Kathy? What’s the process of building a character?

“I think Kathy is a very relatable character. She’s a woman in her late 20s who’s lost her way a little in life, but has found her happy place in true crime. She’s kooky, loves a laugh and is a fierce friend.

“It’s been amazing building her. Bex and I have been on the show since the first workshop back in spring 2022. We met almost five years ago on another show so when we were both offered Kathy & Stella we couldn’t believe our luck.

“Having that previous connection has helped so much, especially playing characters who know each other so intrinsically. The piece really is an exploration of friendships and what they mean to us.”

Imelda Warren Green

Can you sum up the tone and the energy of the story, and how your on-stage partnership with Rebekah (as Stella) helps to manifest this?

“We describe it as a train that, once it leaves the station, you can’t get off! But in a nice way. It’s fast paced, fun and full to the brim with catchy tunes. There’s something for everyone. The script is absolutely hilarious. It’s so special to work on a brand new British musical with two incredible writers; I think it really takes audiences by surprise as it’s not what you’d expect.”

Are you personally fans of true crime as a genre? Is it easy to send up?

“Absolutely. Coincidentally we’ve both drained Netflix dry of their true crime documentaries. It’s currently so topical and the love for it is quite universal. This is something the show also looks into: why is it that so many people love true crime? And why is it mainly a certain demographic of women? Whether you love or hate the genre, come see our show and we’ll help you understand why!”

Rebekah Hinds and Bronté Barbé

What are the challenges of performing musical comedy and plot-twisting mystery simultaneously?

“The facts! Because it is a mystery the information needs to be clear for the audience, but when you’re playing two women who are not in fact criminologists but complete amateurs, that’s quite the feat! We’ve had lots of time to workshop the material and hone in on what the important information is, so we’re now at a point where the songs and dialogue are very clever while still being concise.

“There’s also the tone of the show to consider, and the writers know exactly what they’re doing. Kathy and Stella are two women who are obsessed with murders and all the gore that comes with them. We’ve had to throw caution to the wind and really lean into the crime narrative whilst also keeping it within the conventional confines of musical form. It’s been a massive challenge but I think we’ve nailed it!”

Kathy and Stella solve a Murder! (age recommendation 12+) is at Bristol Old Vic from September 13-30 at 7.30pm, with additional 2pm matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday. The show is presented by Francesca Moody Productions, Kater Gordon, Wessex Grove and Fiery Angel, in association with Bristol Old Vic. Tickets are available from www.bristololdvic.org.uk.

All photos: Mihaela Bodlovic

Read more: A clutch of Edinburgh Fringe shows will transfer to a packed autumn season at Bristol Old Vic

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