An Account of Illicit Affairs and ‘Murder by Moonlight’

Of all the theatrical genres that an eclectic Southern California theater company might want to sample in its new quarters, in the year 2000, surely the English prewar murder mystery should be one of the last. Yet here comes Charles Higham’s “Murder by Moonlight,” the second offering at El Portal Center’s elegant 99-seat Circle Theatre.

It’s a premiere, but it offers none of the adventures you might expect from a new play. It feels as if it’s about the 642nd play coming off the assembly line at a factory devoted to the genre.

As was often the case with similar plays that preceded it, this one tries to be more humorous than suspenseful but succeeds in fulfilling neither goal. The torrent of second-act revelations defies credibility--but then you’ll forget about them within 24 hours, so what difference does it make?

After an introductory scene in town, we move to a country estate, where the master (William H. Bassett, whose scraggly appearance is one of the only nods toward originality) and mistress (Mimi Cozzens) are entertaining their respective illicit lovers (Holly Mitchell, Peter Husmann). The mistress attracts a potential second lover (Gary Newton) as well. The servants (Stuart Thompson, Leslie Simms) soon propose blackmail. Someone is killed, and a local inspector (Zale Morris) arrives to investigate.

The would-be comic elements center on Husmann’s gigolo, as he poses as a rugged Australian relative. Although Husmann’s performance can’t be faulted, the ruse never amounts to as many laughs as Higham evidently intended. Peggy Shannon directed.

* “Murder by Moonlight,” El Portal Center, Circle Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Saturdays-Sundays, 2 p.m. Ends May 14. $20. (818) 508-4200, (800) 233-3123. Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes.