Bentley School is inviting the community to an evening of suspense, laughter, and immersive theatre with its upcoming production of Ax of Murder, experience running June 12 and 13 at the school.

Presented with a twist on the traditional stage play, Ax of Murder is a mystery-comedy that blends ghost stories with audience interaction. The show follows a theatre troupe that stumbles upon a cursed script, and the chaos that unfolds from there.

“It's a classic paranormal murder mystery with a twist,” explained drama instructor and director Tayler Button. “We’re combining live theatre with yummy finger food created by our high school foods classes. We have tables set up in the performance space and actors moving through the audience. It’s a really big and exciting undertaking for the students.”

Button said the production reflects a full-school collaboration. “Our foods program is catering, our shop classes helped build the set, and our students are managing sound, lighting, and film work,” he said. “It’s truly a community effort.”

Joining Button in a leadership role is Grade 10 student Rio Garries, who serves as co-director while balancing work with an outside theatre company.

“I’m not on stage this time, but helping direct has been a great experience,” Garries said. “You see things differently when you’re behind the scenes, how the show flows, how blocking works, how everything comes together. It’s made me a better performer, too.”

While this year’s cast is smaller than past years at 28 students, Button noted that many of the performers are veterans of Bentley’s drama program.

Karrah Barry, a regular in school plays, said the returning cast adds to the experience.

“A lot of us have been in every play year after year, so it feels like a team,” Barry said. “We know how to work with each other, and that makes everything run smoother and way more fun.”

For students new to the stage, the experience was a little nerve-wracking at first.

Payton Wilkinson, performing in her first Bentley production, admitted she was nervous.

“The first few rehearsals, I was nervous, but everyone was so encouraging,” she said. “Once you're actually on stage and hear people reacting, it’s such a rush, the nerves kind of melt away.”

Amelia Crawford, another member of the cast, said the play’s clever structure and unexpected tone will keep the audience entertained.

“It’s a mystery, but also a comedy, and since it’s a play within a play, the audience gets pulled right into it,” she said. “There are a lot of funny moments mixed in with suspense. It’s interactive, clever, and full of twists.”

Performances of Ax of Murder will take place:

• Thursday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
• Friday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)

Tickets are $15 and include a complimentary treat. They are available through the PowerSchool Online Payments Parent Portal or at the door.

“We want the audience to come ready to laugh, and willing to participate,” said Button. “And of course, just to be a great audience for these students who’ve put so much into this show.”