Lively ‘Corpse!’ Doesn’t Give Up the Ghost : As long as North Coast Repertory audiences don’t mind diversion over depth, they will have a fine time figuring out this British howdunit.

SOLANA BEACH--Mysteries come in two packages, whodunits and howdunits. Gerald Moon’s “Corpse!,” at the North Coast Repertory Theatre through April 3, is a howdunit with a theatrical twist.

The thrill lies in figuring out how one brother will kill his twin. At least as intriguing theatrically is the question of how one actor can play both brothers, whose appearances seem to come within seconds of overlapping.

That was enough for this British bauble to hold the interest of Broadway audiences in 1986. As to whether it can hold the attention of North Coast audiences in 1993--well, maybe if you don’t mind diversion rather than depth.

Ron Choularton (who did terrific work in North Coast’s “Breaking the Code” in 1991) anchors the show as Evelyn--an actor who’s “too good,” as he puts it, to get work--and as Evelyn’s rich brother Rupert. Evelyn wants to settle a longstanding grudge against Rupert by having him killed and then taking his place. Peter Rose makes a good foil as Maj. Powell, whom Evelyn chooses to help him carry out his scheme. Wendy Cullum as Evelyn’s landlady and Mark Taylor as Rupert’s neighborhood policeman provide deft comic twists as they turn up at the most inconvenient times.

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Director Rosina Widdowson-Reynolds gives the play an authentic British feel but she could stand to quicken the pace throughout. In a show like this, which is rooted in tricks rather than substance, the key is to move swiftly to the brothers’ confrontations and then milk the excitement for all it’s worth.

Resident designer Marty Burnett has come up with another impressive, detailed set, telling a tale just by the way he positions Evelyn’s cold basement flat alongside Rupert’s warm, elegant digs. Sean LaMotte’s lighting works well, as do John-Bryan Davis’ starchy English costumes.

Michael Shapiro’s sound misfired--literally--on opening night when a gun failed to go off on cue. With that problem corrected, “Corpse!” should provide an enlivening if not particularly enlightening time.

* “Corpse!,” North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987D Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 2 and 7 p.m. Ends April 3. $12-$14. (619) 481-1055. Running time 2 hours, 10 minutes.

A North Coast Repertory Theatre production of a play by Gerald Moon, directed by Rosina Widdowson-Reynolds. With Ron Choularton, Wendy Cullum, Peter Rose and Mark Taylor. Sets: Marty Burnett. Lights: Sean LaMotte. Costume design: John-Bryan Davis. Sound: Michael Shapiro. Stage manager: Sue Schaffner.