A British film noir comedy murder mystery that reimagines the characters of The Famous Five as adults, with additional voices by Alistair McGowan.
A Simply Beastly Murder comes to Theatre@41 on Wednesday 8 July, as part of the venue's summer season. It's a British film noir comedy murder mystery that takes a rather unexpected starting point: it reimagines the characters of Enid Blyton's The Famous Five as adults who have grown apart. Dick is now a hardened private investigator who gets in over his head and turns to his sister Anne for help. From there it slides into classic noir territory, with gangsters, intrigue, and — in a nod to the original books — lashings of tinned pineapple. The production has been nominated for the Funny Women Awards, and Alistair McGowan provides additional voices.
It's supported by Fenton Arts Trust and Barnsley Civic, and it sits within a wider run at Theatre@41 on Monkgate. The venue is running a full summer season from April to July 2026, with a mix of comedy, music, immersive experiences, and National Theatre Live screenings. Part of that is a 'Halfway to Edinburgh' programme, which brings previews of shows to York before they make their debut at the Edinburgh Fringe.
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So, if you're in the mood for a noir comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously, A Simply Beastly Murder is at Theatre@41 on 8 July.
