Educators Steph Barton and Wendy Thomson starred in the annual “Murder in the Museum Melodrama” at the Millicent National Trust Museum on Saturday night.


Around 35 National Trust and community members, Girl Guides and Millicent High School students donned costumes and wigs and entertained the crowd of almost 150.


The prize for best actor by popular vote was shared by past winner Steph who played Matron Gray and Wendy who had the plum role of Mary Teal.


Other roles were played by Lisa Braes who was an optometrist, Millicent High School student Chad Cockrum (patient) and Millicent National Trust Museum chairman Barry Long (blacksmith).


The previous six “Murder in the Museum Melodramas” have also sold out and the 2024 melodrama centred on the murder of a surgeon at a country hospital and the associated professional jealousies and love affairs.


The action took place in several of the museum’s displays including the Millicent Room, shipwreck room, Blacksmith’s shop and the Helen Hughes costume collection.


Directed and produced by Chris Hollingsworth and written by Chris Parmenter, there were several clues and false leads.


The murderer turned out to be Botox sister Alice Lemon played by Jennifer Golding.


Ms Hollingsworth welcomed the involvement of the younger people in the production.


“It gives people the opportunity to act out,” she said.


Mr Parmenter said the murder melodrama was interactive and made the museum come alive.


“This is the only National Trust fundraiser for the year,” Mr Parmenter said.


“‘The $1360 raised on the night will go towards the cost of the materials for new access ramps.”


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 next festival until March 2025.