They meet, apparently by chance, as they take a trip down the Nile on a paddle steamer and the play is set in the observation saloon. Halfway through the journey one of them is murdered and the question is posed – whodunit?

Directed by Bryan Smith, the Village Players' production proved another success with a talented cast deftly capturing the 1930s mood of the piece.

The task of unravelling the complicated murder conspiracy falls to Canon Pennefather, expertly played by Alan Hodges. Sharon Pentney and John McCarroll were convincing as the wealthy Kay and her newly-acquired husband, who has married money.

Jenny Smith was the crochety Miss Ffoliot-ffoulkes and newcomer Lorna Smith the bashful Christina. Two other actresses making their debut with the Players, Kes Hucklesby and Emma Wallis, did so in style. Kes was impressive as the dumped Jacqueline and Emma a stunning Louise, the French maid.

Chris Baalham had some sarcastic one-liners as Smith, the socialist, and Jim Bond was the enigmatic doctor. There were humorous touches, too, from Chris Hunt as the steward and over-enthusiastic beadsellers Leigh Sebba and Samuel Pentney.

The elegant set, designed by Nick Moriarty, and costumes by Eva Rolfe and Bea Sewell, were excellent. Murder on the Nile was an entertaining evening and had audiences at Nayland village hall gripped until the final piece of the puzzle fell into place.

The Players' next production is a new pantomime, Beauty and the Deep, in November and auditions will be in July.