one4review | On 14, Aug 2026

Blood Me Up, Marjorie is a caper in the best traditions of Carry-On, and with roughly the same amount of innuendo and a similar style of humour. The story has room to be developed, though the plotting works well, and in general you’ll leave feeling like you had a good time.

Two actors (Steve Hemsley and Aly Cranston) take on a multitude of characters who are themselves actors working for the fictional Project M Murder Mysteries, which provides murder mystery entertainment for parties. It’s not as confusing as it sounds: real word Steve and Aly don’t appear on stage (contrast a comedy show, where fourth wall breaking and leak-through are expected], and the characters are well defined, (if a little caricatured at times) so it’s easy to follow what’s going on.

Aly and Steve do a great job of keeping their characters straight, and bring energy and verve to a mildly absurd and gently farcical plot. Alongside the innuendo and word play, there’s a good few more traditional punchlines, and a variety of visual gags too. The production is solid and you do feel like you’re in safe, professional hands (Aly and Steve, not the actors and director of Project M, who are comically variably competent). This is a fun show, with lots of potential.

Reviewed by Laura
Theatre 3 @ the Space at Surgeons’ Hall
Until 15th