Arts:Blog

Theatre Review: Midsomer Murders--The Killings at Badger's Drift ***

Michael Cox reviews the theatrical adaptation of the beloved crime series, finding it to be ‘a delightful watch’.

If one were looking for an example of the term ‘Cozy Crime’, then Midsomer Murders would be an excellent source. Convoluted crime story that is more about the twists than justice? Check. A collection of quirky characters that get dispatched in odd ways? Present and correct. An investigative team relishing the puzzle through a light touch of wit instead of psychological darkness? All right here.

ITV’s adaptation of Caroline Graham’s book series has been a juggernaut for decades and has managed to outlast numerous cast changes. It has a devoted group of fans, many of whom are surely going to relish the opportunity to see the classic duo of Barnaby and Troy back in action.

And it’s clear that writer/director Guy Unsworth knows this. His theatrical adaptation of Graham’s first book—The Killings at Badger’s Drift—is loaded with salutes to the TV series, beginning with the basic structure of seeing the first victim in unbeknownst peril, followed by the easily identifiable theme tune (which brought the audience to warm applause as it played).

The biggest ‘wink, nudge’ to fans is that Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby is played here by Daniel Casey: Casey played Barnaby’s sidekick Detective Sergeant Gavin Troy in the classic ITV series back when it premiered nearly thirty years ago. Casey’s Barnaby isn’t a rehash of the famous depiction by John Nettles, instead coming off more philosophical and cheeky and with an aura of lightness. He’s usually the smartest man in the room, and when suspects try to outsmart him, he has no difficulty in matching wits.

Unsworth has created a production that, while not necessarily ‘safe’, is much more intent on entertainment than thrills. The TV show was never about overt realism, and here Unsworth chooses to lean into the absurd by having his supporting cast play multiple roles, each defined by a costume choice and quirks, ranging in social type and gender.

Is Midsomer Murders brilliant theatre? Not really. However, it is a delightful watch, and it has a lot of fun unspooling its plot through outrageous characters. But does it all add up in the end? In truth, who cares? The journey is entertaining, the puzzle is overly complex and, in the final moments, wrong is righted and our detective duo end not haunted by darkness but through a good chuckle and a trip for a much-needed pint.

How cozy.

Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift performs at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow until February 21, 2026. It then continues its tour with stops throughout the UK and Ireland. For further details, go to the production’s website.

Image by Manuel Harla.