Sunday afternoon, went to premiere screening at the
Sun Theatre of the first two episodes of the new ABC series
Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries escorting the author herself Kerry Greenwood along the red carpet. (The Wizard was there in his own right, having been an extra in the Blood and Circuses episode.) The
art deco splendour of the Sun Theatre was precisely the right venue.
I frocked up, in red frock coat, waistcoat and cravat. So, was nicely over-dressed.
There were a few brief speeches, including by The Author Herself. Then, after a slight lack-of-sound hitch, the first episode (Cocaine Blues), followed by intermission with popcorn, lollies and drinks, followed by the second (Murder on the Ballarat Train), with nibblies and drinks.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have a hit.
Essie Davies is excellent as
the Hon. Phryne. (Watching Kerry hugging Phryne afterwards was a great moment.) Ashleigh Cummings
as Dot and Hugo Johsntone-Burt as
Constable Hugh Collins are, if anything, even better. But the cast are all fine, the script writing is sharp, and witty in the right places. The villains were particularly good (this is important). Phryne's costumes are stylishly fabulous, the sets splendid. It all just works.
No wonder North American cable networks are already interested and they are taking it to
Cannes to try and sell it to the Europeans.
Friday evenings, for 13 weeks from February 24th onwards, now Have Something On. Enjoy.
ADDENDA At
Cafe Fidama afterwards, the Author was bubbling with happiness over what we had all seen, particularly as we all agreed it was splendid.