Saturday 29 November 2008

Middle Ditch 23



A Splash In The Dark

Lady Annabel and Minton are discussing recent events.
Minton finds the solution to making Sir John disappear.

This episode features in order of appearance

Rowena Kitchen as the Announcer
Rowena Kitchen as Lady Annabel
Brian Hinton MBE as Randolph Minton M.P.
Diana O'Rourke as Mrs Wood

Written and directed by Monique Caddy

79 comments:

jed said...

Some fine acting and humour. Most enjoyable!

Middle Ditch said...

Thanks Jed. I laughed out loud when Lady Annabel called Minton. Those two are great performers.

jmsjoin said...

love it Monique that is the best one yet! The bath motif made that really good. Congratulations all around!

Middle Ditch said...

Hey Jim, can you imagine how big that bath must be?
It must be huge, like Lady Annabel's mansion.

jmsjoin said...

yes, I imagined Roman Bath! i really enjoyed that!

Emery Roth said...

Thanks so much for stopping by my blog. I'm delighted you enjoyed "Sparkle," as it is one of my personal favorites.

Patrizzi Intergarlictica said...

I must have a dirty filthy mind.

How lovely a recording!

darkfoam said...

LOL!!!
how on earth did you all get through that episode without cracking up? hahaha ..
now, what WILL they do with the poor hapless cleaning lady?
and, i don't think i'll ever eat pig again. the DIET they have .. yikes ..

Unknown said...

If Randy has not become really randy by the end of the episode, I'd be surprised.

Hahahah-- that was fun MD. Enjoyed listening to that. Almost prim and proper, so terribly English.

PBS said...

Oh, I loved this one! Funny and very cool!

Rick said...

A classic, Monique! Loved every bit of it. Laughed out loud several times a this one. Keep them coming.

Anonymous said...

Very funny Monique. One I'll have to listen to again to see what I missed first time round.

Middle Ditch said...

Jim, I don't quite think it's as big as a Roman Bath. They are like swimming pools, but big enough to fit Minton and Annabel comfortably.

Ted, I always enjoy visiting your blog and looking at those magnificent photographs.

Miss Havisham, welcome to the quirky tales of Middle Ditch. I'm glad that you are enjoying the story.

Middle Ditch said...

Foam, we do crack up during rehearsal. It's great fun. Poor Mrs Wood. She is forever seeing something of Randolph Minton that nobody should see. And pigs do eat anything indeed.

Hillblogger, it's great seeing you here. I think poor Randy was too shocked by the sudden appearance of Mrs Wood to be randy any longer.

PBS, thank you for leaving a comment. I know that you are a fan though, but I always appreciate comments very much.

Middle Ditch said...

Rick, I too laughed out loud several times when I listened to it again. Brian and Rowena play their parts so well. They make the script come to life.

Aggie, my husband had to listen to it several times because he kept missing huge chunks by laughing so much. In the end he suffered the hick-ups.

fizzycat said...

Made me laugh lots , very cheering on a freezing winters day.My current favorite episode I think.
Bob the cat continues to enjoy his cushion.Your little cat has certainly got the central heating organised, they just rule don't they!

David Caddy said...

Yes, this episode was great fun. I wonder how far Lady Annabel and Minton will get in their devious plans?
I can imagine Minton coming up with some excuse for having to take a bath at Annabel's and trying to charm his way with Mrs Wood. Poor Mrs Wood!

Middle Ditch said...

Fizz, aren't they brilliant actors? I agree with you, it's great to listen to on a freezing night. And Minton and the lady rule as much as the cats do methinks.

Indeed David, poor Mrs Wood. What will happen to her? She fainted again and usually, when Mrs Wood faints, she loses her memory. Well, we have to listen to one of the next episodes to find out if she is well.

David John Caswell said...

Dear Middle Ditch,
I loved this episode it was great! Enjoyed every minute. From the screams due to the hot bath water, to the perfect murder.
Dave.

laughingwolf said...

still enjoying these, thx monique :D

Michelle said...

Fantastic! I so enjoyed this.

Anne Lyken-Garner said...

Feed him to the pigs? Surely that's GOT to go terribly wrong.

I didn't realise Randy was such a screamer!

Very good water sounds, Monique. I'm very impressed. It's funny how little things like that stand out to make everything sound so professional and complete.

Can't wait for the drive to the pig farm. That should be hilarious!

Anne

Monique said...

David, I loved writing this episode. Thanks for visiting.

Laughing Wolf, I was wondering if you were still listening, now I know that you are. Thank you for commenting. I love reading them.

Monique said...

Thanks Michelle.

Anne, the sound effects are great. David and Helen are so good at doing those. And we have to wait if the pigs like to eat sir John and if he is as appetizing as councillor Cassidy.

Anonymous said...

Very well done monique and the cast..sounds like you were in the bath when recording it..my wife put me onto this site..you know her :-)

Leigh Russell said...

Certainly a "corker"! I'm sure lots of listeners check in without leaving a calling card - as I do regularly. Must remember to comment in future - if I'm not too busy laughing -

lizzie said...

Hilarious! Worth waiting for.

Middle Ditch said...

Pete, welcome to Middle Ditch, quirky tales of village life. Thanks for listening and commenting and yes I know who your wife is.

Leigh, all comments are always gracefully received. I will visit you soon again.

Lizzie, thanks, I'm glad that you like this one.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Monique, I enjoyed Middle Ditch 23, looks like I am going to have to listen all previous 22 episodes..should keep me busy over xmas..and the coming year...the other half will need to register to leave a comment..shes been listenong to a few episodes of Middle Ditch also...

Middle Ditch said...

Hey Pete, the episodes are only about 5 to 6 minutes long so it shouldn't take too long but yes the time over Christmas should be great. Yes W told me all about it this morning. She seems to enjoy so far what she has heard.

raccoonlover1963/Lisa Myers said...

Hi Monique. Great episode! Too funny. Anticipating the next episode.
Lisa

jed said...

Welcome to the new listeners. I hope that you are enjoying the quirky tales of village life.

Middle Ditch said...

Hey Lisa, thanks for listening and commenting.

Hi Jed, isn't it great to have so many new listeners?

Unknown said...

Diabolical. More reason that minton should have his own spinoff. Very funny.

Charles Gramlich said...

Oh this was really excellent. One of the best episodes yet. I was roaring with laughter at the opening part of this. And the ending with Mrs. Wood passing out was cool.

Middle Ditch said...

Ricardo, yes this is such a fun episode. It is now seriously in our mind to do a Minton spinoff and we are now also thinking of doing an Easter, Halloween and Christmas specials. They should be fun.

Middle Ditch said...

Charles, I was also laughing so much at the beginning and so was my husband, so much so that he ended up having the hick-ups. It is great to see the written words being played with such gusto by Rowena and Brian.

The sound effects are also excellent. Thank you Helen. You've got such great talent for this.

And Mrs Wood ... well she just had to see something of Minton again that nobody ever should see. Poor Mrs Wood. Will she recover?

Reader Wil said...

I must start listening again from the first episode to the last! It's very good written! thanks for the visit.

Janice Thomson said...

Yes, this is one of the best you've created so far Monique - I laughed out loud a few times. A brilliant ending using Mrs. Woods again - poor thing :)
I can't imagine how you didn't crack up in the middle of recording this. LOL

Angela Morkos said...

Dear Monique - I thought the latest episode of Middle Ditch was very amusing and very well acted. Looking forward to hearing the next episode.

Angela Morkos

Marja said...

Contemplating murder in the bath tub I loved the oehs and ahs
Sorry didn't visit you for a while
The kids use up the broadband in less than 3 days so this time I was quick

Middle Ditch said...

Reader Wil, thank you for your comment. I hope that you are having fun listening to all the episodes again. I do this occasionally and it is surprising how quickly you have forgotten what an episode is about.

Janice, it's great to see you here again. Yes, I agree that this episode is just wonderful. It's usually during rehearsal that we have loads of laughter. During recording we all become very serious. Afterwards, when we listen to it, we all crack up gain.

Middle Ditch said...

Angela, welcome to Middle Ditch. It's just so great to have all those new listeners. It makes my day to see a new name.

Marja, I have missed you here, but I know how busy you are. Thanks for visiting and leaving such a lovely comment.

Chris Benjamin said...

hmmm, can't get no sound off this one for some reason.

Chris Benjamin said...

ok must have just been a temporary glitch.

good piece of theatre this. but it hit a little to close to true for me after following the story of the pickton pig farm/serial killer in british columbia.

ANNA-LYS said...

Hello MD,
Just wishing You a lovely weekend
(coz I do not understand spoken everyday English :-(

<3

Middle Ditch said...

Ben, I know what you mean. It was in the newspapers some time ago and it was indeed shocking. I have not read anything about the case for some time. Is the court case still in process?

Middle Ditch said...

Anna-Lys it's good to see you again. You have a lovely weekend too. It is at the moment absolutely glorious here after all that rain. In fact so glorious that my cats are refusing to come indoors and bask in the sun in the garden.

X. Dell said...

(1) I'm beginning to wonder if Mrs. Wood will ever begin and end an episode on her feet. (BTW, bathroom floors tend to be pretty hard).

(2) I'm beginning to warm up to Lady Annabel and MP Randy (perfect name for him). They're outrageously buffoonish caracters.

(3) I'll be curious to see if the pigs have an appetite for a corpse not drenchend in Drake's special tonic.

(4) I know this is silly of me, but I keep thinking about the legal aspects of Cassidy's death, since we'll have a copycat crime done soon.

Were the crime to have happened here, in the States, the most serious offense would be either third degree murder or felony murder (because he was assaulted, and then taken unconscious to the pigs--these charges pertain to a death that occurs during the commission of a felony). A smart attroney might be able to argue that the commission of the felony ended with the assault (the forced ingestion of Drake's tonic), and that the worst charge against them is involuntary manslaughter, or obstruction of justice, or of lying to a PC.

Then again, this is a comedy, and a dark one at times. Thus, the ending might have nothing to do with anything legalistic.

Perhaps that's why I've always been curious as to what the adjudication of Cassidy's death will be.

Middle Ditch said...

Ah Ex, great to see you and lovely to read your comment. Here goes ...................

1: Lady Annabel is living in a mansion with hardwood flooring all the way through. The lady wouldn't have it in any different way. Well spotted though.

2: I just love writing those characters and Rowena and Brian are excellent playing them.

3: So am I.

4: The episode 'Case Closed' where everything is revealed, has been written and recorded and it might just have that little twist I so like putting in.

After all it is Jim, full of self importance and taking this case very serious, who is investigating the disappearance of Councillor Cassidy. If it hadn't been for Mrs Wood telling him everything he might still be totally in the dark. Now he is hot on farmer Drake, Howard and Barbara's trail.

Or is he????????????

Meanwhile, of course, several other issues are still not quite solved, so we might digress a little bit here and there.

Leon1234 said...

Great show!

Monique said...

Leon, welcome to the quirky tales of village life. Thank you for visiting and commenting.

Maria said...

Monique,

I loved this episode. The script was excellent. The characters/actors were terrific. Great sound effects. Awesome job! :)

Maria

Middle Ditch said...

Maria, thank you. It was great fun writing and recording this and David and Helen's sound effects are indeed great.

jed said...

I am looking forward to seeing how the various story threads develop in the coming episodes.

FANCY said...

LOL

Middle Ditch said...

Fancy, hi! and LOL

Middle Ditch said...

Hi Jed, several story lines indeed. I'm working on it!

Devin said...

This place certainly looks fascinating! Have never seen this before-of course I am not the be all and end all of blog and web knowledge. If you do not mind I would like to link your place to mine. Peace and best to you-the image on the profile is beautiful-I have been to the sceptred isle twice in my life-first time as a high schooler -82 and second in 95 as a thirty year old-loved it both times! Best to you always Devin

Middle Ditch said...

Devin, thanks for visiting and welcome to Middle Ditch, quirky tales of village life. Thank you for linking. I shall return the favour soon.

Devin said...

This is wonderful-I was rather stupid at starting at the latest epsiode. I will now go to episode one and work my way up as I have time-very original! I always enjoy viewing and hearing peoples creative thoughts. Best to you!

Unknown said...

That was great and a very funny first few moments.

Middle Ditch said...

Devin, have fun listening from the beginning.

SJ, thanks for visiting.

Devin said...

To all of you at Middle Ditch-I appreciate and love this creative endeavor so much-I will continue to try to get caught up!-Ii received some bad news about my health today and will have to make some big decisions and small-even as far as going on with my place-just wanted to let you know how much I love this site-and if MFM is taken down or I do not comment as much-I am still here and loving your stuff-just a lot on my mind-best to all of you!

Middle Ditch said...

Devin, I and the cast wish you a speedy recovery.

I have enjoyed your comments on older posts tremendously and I hope that you are, soon, well enough to listen again.

It is so encouraging to get comments.

Devin said...

Depending on what happens-or the news is I do not know if recovery is in the offing-what I do know is that it is stupid to get so wrapped up in myself that I can't laugh! In my recent self-absorption I realized I never told my mom and dad about Middle Ditch-I know at the very least mom would love it-they do not know how to comment yet-or should say don't have the proper account I will try to show them-as I would at least like them to be able to comment at my place-I think one of the reasons I forgot to mention is that I am so used to the immediate people in my life not sharing my interests-but Middle Ditch is a wonderful and very common human interest-sometimes I think humor and love are the only things keeping the world together. Thanks so much for your hard work-all of you and I will get the 'word out' to others as I am able!

Devin said...

ps-the people I will tell MD about do not have the OCD tendencies to over comment again and again as I do even if they are able to-just ask Xdell! so no worries :-)

Middle Ditch said...

Devin, the medical science is now so far advanced that I'm sure there will be a positive outcome.

Family can be really funny isn't it? We let David's parents listen to it one day. They enjoyed it but have never listened since and have not shown any interest really. My family has not shown the slightest interest. Mind you they all live in Holland and they might find it difficult to follow.

And I do so agree with you, humor and love is what makes the world go round.

Thank you so much for spreading the word about MD.

tut-tut said...

I'm looking forward to your Christmas special; I have time to listen and knit now. Great sound effects and very funny erm interjections on the part of Randy!

Middle Ditch said...

Thanks tut-tut ... Helen and David do a grand job adding the proper sound effects. In the early episodes it was my clumsy efforts but we are trying to find time to replace mine on all the episodes.

Spoony Quine said...

Ah, plotting a murder. I do love it. And Randall's voice is so hilarious!

Middle Ditch said...

S E E Quine, I have missed you here. It's great to see you and thanks for the comment.

Spoony Quine said...

*sigh* no problem. Now that I have a little more access to the computer. Thanks for coming by my blogs!

Devin said...

Thanks so much for this wonderful site! and responding to my questions with your positive thoughts-I realized that as I was listening to episode 22 that I had forgot to tell my mum about it-which was stupid as we were together all day yesterday-it is only 620pm here so I will try to call her now-she tried to comment at my place last night and couldnt-so I will have to show her how which will be no problem when I am over at my parents place-I did email several friends about the site and of course anyone who reads me place will know of my affection for MD-people are funny-I know that if anyone I was close to said take a look at this-I would at least try to see what they were talking about. I can not wait for the next episode-and send the whole cast wonderful cheers for your work and I hope the whole cast and the people here have a fantastic Christmas-if they have any downtime with friends and family at all-independent of what they think of the actual holiday of course-I do not know if this happens in the UK-but I am never surprised any more when the first unfortunate shopper of the season is trampled to death at Wal-Mart or some place like that-sad all to get some meaningless trinkets in most cases I think-bless you all!

Middle Ditch said...

S E E Quine, you're most welcome, it's great to see you

Middle Ditch said...

Devin, thanks for being such a wonderful supporter. It is absolutely wonderful to read your comments.

I'm rather tired at the moment. We recorded four episodes this morning, including the Christmas special. This took several rehearsals as the cast was totally unfamiliar with the script. They loved it though.

After the session all of us went for a most delicious three course Christmas meal in our local pub. Now I'm just very full up. A couple of glasses of wine, some fine television (I hope) and then to bed.

First thing tomorrow we are editing and adding the sound effects to the Christmas special and put it online.

Thanks again Devin, you are a real champion.

Rick said...

Monique, hurry up and that Christmas album out!

Middle Ditch said...

Rick, I'm going as fast as I can!

bestoffrm said...

Thanks Jed. I laughed out loud when Lady Annabel called Minton. Those two are great performers.
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