Photo Flash: First Look at CRIMES OF THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING at the Lichfield Garrick

Fast becoming a Lichfield Christmas tradition, the award-winning New Old Friends return to the Garrick this winter with an all new cast for more seasonal shenanigans after the sell-out successes of Crimes On The Christmas Express last year and Crimes Against Christmas the year before.

Lady detective Artemis Arinae finds herself in the midst of a steamy seasonal crime caper set in high society. Lord and Lady Lorde's traditional family Christmas looks set to be overwhelmed by lust, greed and a very paranoid butler. Can she place the Prince's priceless possession and puzzling paramour before anyone gets stabbed in the back? A fast paced, gag-filled, daft romp of a show, with 13 characters played by a cast of just four. What could possibly go wrong?

"We are over the moon to be returning to The Garrick for the third year, and are absolutely honoured to hear on social media that it has become part of people's festive traditions with groups re-booking year on year. This year's show is inspired by the epitome of 'cosy crime' dramas - the isolated manor house. We've had a lot of fun with it." - Feargus Woods Dunlop, New Old Friends

New Old Friends are an award-winning theatre company dedicated to creating original comedy theatre, founded in 2008 and run by husband and wife team Feargus Woods Dunlop and Heather Westwell. Previous shows include Crimes Against Christmas, Crimes on the Christmas Express, and Crimes under the Sun. In 2014 and 2015, New Old Friends took their adaptation of Anthony Horowitz's The Falcon's Malteser on two national tours and to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, enjoying sell-out shows at the Pleasance and great critical acclaim. After a chance conversation via Twitter, the company met Lichfield Garrick's former artistic director Tim Ford and the opportunity for the Crimes shows began. In 2019 the company will tour new Crimes show, Crimes On The Nile, for 15 weeks across the UK.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith