The current Wattle Range Mayor and one of his predecessors again starred in the annual “Murder in the Museum Melodrama” at the Millicent National Trust Museum on Saturday night.

Around 30 National Trust and community members donned costumes and even outlandish wigs and entertained the crowd of almost 150.

For the second consecutive year, the cast included incumbent mayor Des Noll and 2006-2010 mayor Mark Braes.

Other roles were played by Lisa Braes who was a fortune teller, Millicent High School student Chad Cockrum (carnival clown) and Millicent National Trust Museum chairman Barry Long (police officer).

The previous five “Murder in the Museum Melodramas” have also sold out and the 2023 melodrama centred on gypsies, jealousies and love affairs.

The action took place in several of the museum’s displays including the Millicent Room, machinery shed, blacksmith’s shop and the Helen Hughes costume collection.

Written and produced by Chris Hollingsworth, there were several clues and false leads and the murderer turned out to be Lavinda, the bearded lady.

The prize for best actor by popular vote went to local educator Steph Barton.

According to the votes cast, the prize for best costume went to Millicent teacher Patrick Smith.

The “Murder in the Museum Melodrama” is usually a feature of the annual Geltwood Craft Festival in Millicent.

The Geltwood organisers have decided to delay the 2023 festival until October as was the case last year when there were COVID-related factors.