This May , Richmond Players presents Death by Chocolate , a play which combines all the elements of classic murder mysteries with scathing satires of the 80 ’ s health crazes , technology and fashion .

Members of the newly renovated Meadowbrook Health Resort are dropping like flies , including famed chef Edith Chiles .

On the eve of the grand re-opening of the resort this is not the best advertisement so it ’ s up to John Stone ( Joel Baltaks of North Richmond ), the manager , to find the cause - and the murderer .

The clues point to a sinister box of chocolates , and the suspects include all

the outlandish characters working for the resort .

Could it be Lady Riverdale ( Emma Taite of Cranebrook ), owner of the resort , and a woman with dark secrets or Ralph Deadwood ( Martin Crew of North Richmond ), gym instructor and all-around cad ? Dick Simmering ( James McLanders of Glenmore Park ), the aerobics instructor ? What about Anne ( Lisa Hardwidge , Glenmore Park ), the panic-stricken nurse ? Or could it be Sweet Pea Meadowbrook ( Anthea Brown , Norwest ), the grieving daughter of the recently deceased founder of the resort ?

Director Penny Johnson of Norwest said she chose the show to make her

directorial debut as it was the same show she made her debut in community theatre .

“ I had such fond memories of the show so when I had the chance to direct my first show with Richmond Players , I naturally went for this play ,” she said .

“ It ’ s such a fun story , full of one-liners that will make you groan and characters that range from sweet to very salty .

“ I really hope that the audiences enjoy the fun and naturally try to work out who is the bad guy . You ’ ll never look at a box of chocolates the same way again .”

Richmond Players is one of Australia ’ s oldest continually operating theatre groups with deep roots in the Hawkesbury district . It has been performing an

array of shows since 1952 to audiences from all over Sydney . Richmond Players presents high quality , affordable theatre to the Hawkesbury and surrounding communities .

Performances run on Saturdays , 2pm and 7.30pm on May 4 , 11 , 18 and 25 , at the Richmond School of Arts , West Market St , Richmond .

Ticket Prices : Concession ( Seniors / Pensioners / Students ): $ 30 . Adult ( Standard ): $ 35 ( Plus 50c ticket fee ). Depending on availability there may be some tickets still available at the door .

Book online at www . richmondplayers . com . au or at https :// www . trybooking . com / CMQME