THE South Devon-based murder mystery group The Foul Players are staging their latest evening of dastardly deeds at the Park Hotel in Paignton on Tuesday, March 16.

The Meditate for Murder plot is set during the last days of the Flower Power Era and it revolves around the mysterious disappearance of Maharishi Andayo Moniova.

Without giving too much away the Maharishi is due to make a rare appearance at the Barking Manor home of Lady Barking.

Her ladyship and others have given away their worldly wealth to the Maharishi's cause, and they're assembled — love beads and all — for their guru's appearance when there's an unexpected knock at the door.

Enter Laura Norder and her fiancé Perry Winkel who claim their car has broken down in a nearby lane. Or has it?

Meanwhile, the Maharishi's late arrival is put-down to the fact he's meditating but, as time passes, those present begin to ask questions among themselves.

Where does their money go? Is the Maharishi really what he seems to be? Come to that, who is he?

All will be revealed on March 16.

Advance tickets for the Murder Mystery evening are £20 each and they're available from Vivien Lesley on 01803 552377 or from the Park Hotel reception on 01803 557856.

The ticket price includes a three course dinner, and those attending will need to arrive at 6.45pm for a 7.15pm start.

JAZZ outfit the Smooth Operators featuring Graham Pinkney on keyboards, plus Mike Thorn (bass) and Colin Hedworth on drums, are in action at the Cary Arms in Babbacombe on Sunday evening.

Band spokesman Colin said: "It's free admission and we'll be playing smooth jazz from 7.30pm.

"This is a first Sunday of each month event, and later in the year we hope to be introducing special guest artists."

AS reported in last Thursday's Lowe Down column, on Friday, March 12, the Palace Theatre in Paignton is to be the setting for the return of the glittering music and dance production The Showgirl.

The two-hour show is a tribute to the chart and former soap star Kylie Minogue, featuring the Torbay based songstress Cheryl Hadley, plus a full supporting company of South Devon musicians, vocalists and dancers.

The March 12 performance at the Palace Theatre marks the culmination of a winter-long tour which began at the same venue last September.

Advance tickets for the event are £11 and £9 each and they're available from the theatre box office on 01803 665800. Anyone buying ten tickets gets the tenth free.

TOMORROW night's gathering of the Rebel Country CWMC at the Courtenay Centre, Kingsteignton Road, Newton Abbot, features a special appearance by Rosie Horne.

Admission to the event is £6 per person and all telephone inquiries about the club and its activities are being handled on 01803 299567.

In similar fashion, next Wednesday evening's Blazing Saddles CWMC rendezvous at the Cavendish Hotel, Belgrave Road, Torquay, features the return appearance by popular demand of Natalie Diamond.

Admission to the Blazing Saddles weekly event is £5 per person and all telephone inquiries about the club and activities are handled on 01803 401671.

DEVON'S jazz fans have a treat in-store this weekend when the Southgate Hotel in Southernhay East, Exeter, plays host to a three night jazz special.

The Jazzbreaks event kicks-off tomorrow at 8.30pm when Pete Allen's Westcountry All Stars headline, and there'll be support from Denise and Tony Lawrence.

Saturday evening's programme features the Dart Valley Stompers with support, once again, coming from Denise and Tony Lawrence.

Then on Sunday evening Denise Lawrence and Her Band take centre stage with support on the night coming from Ron Drake.

All telephone inquiries about the Jazzbreaks Weekend are being handled on 01392 412812.