- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Jane Rackham
Here’s a murder mystery for twitchers and balletomanes alike as it’s loosely based on the story of Swan Lake and all the suspects belong to the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh Ornithological Society.
They’re all of a twitter (in a non-microblogging sort of way) because the blue crested hoopoe has been spotted in the woods around Swansdown Lake. And that’s a big deal apparently. Then their overbearing president is murdered, although his wife, a former Russian ballerina now teaching ballet to the local children, seems remarkably composed for a new widow.
There are dozens of potential suspects although, unusually for MM, there’s a low death toll. It’s most notable, though, for some rather stunning dance scenes involving the clever use of mirrors and make-up that are reminiscent of the 2010 movie Black Swan.
About this programme
8/8. Members of the Midsomer-in-the-Marsh Ornithological Society fall out when Ralph Ford claims to have spotted a blue-crested hoopoe, meaning he wins the group's year-listing competition. However, their president, Patrick Morgan, says the rare species could never have been seen so far away from its native Uganda and brands him a cheat. The next day, Barnaby and Jones have a murder case on their hands when Patrick is found dead at the scene of the reported sighting. Guest starring Paul Nicholls and James Dreyfus.
Cast and crew
Cast
- DCI John Barnaby
- Neil Dudgeon
- DS Ben Jones
- Jason Hughes
- Sarah Barnaby
- Fiona Dolman
- Kate Wilding
- Tamzin Malleson
- Patrick Morgan
- Alex Hanson
- Nina Morgan
- Genevieve O'Reilly
- Tim Whitley
- Paul Bigley
- Ralph Ford
- James Dreyfus
- George Napier
- Tony Haygarth
- Dave Foxely
- Paul Nicholls
- Michael Hipsman
- Allan Corduner
- Dr Markham
- Nicholas Boulton
- Olivia Carter
- Amanda Lawrence
- Aimee Whitley
- Ella Al-Khalil Coyle
Crew
- Director
- Nick Laughland
- Producer
- Brian True-May
- Writer
- Steve Trafford
- Share this episode
-