FAIRHOPE — The queen of England died quite suddenly while Theatre 98's "Death by Design" cast was perfecting their British accents.

It worked out quite well, actually.

With so much news coverage the cast couldn't help but perfect their enunciation nearly every day.

Quirky. Dry. Witty. Incredibly British. Hilarious.

"Death by Design," which opens at Fairhope's Theatre 98 this weekend is vivacious trip through a zany weekend with wild personalities.

"We have these giant characters that are larger than life. I am so blessed I have a cast who can inhabit these characters," said Director Scotty White.

The show, written in 2013 by Rob Urbinati tells the story of a playwright and his wife, an actress, who flee London after a disastrous opening night. Soon, various guests arrive including the wife's conservative, politician and would-be lover, the playwright's bohemian best friend and a several other outrageous characters.

The story builds to an utter mess.

Oh, and also, there's a murder. But really, that's secondary.

The comedy, set in a 1932 English country manor is simply zany. White, who has directed several shows for Theatre 98 said the group's three-sided stage provides the perfect setting for great comedy.

"It's a small setting for the audience and good laughter gives the stage wonderful energy. It's a great place to laugh," he said.

As a newer show, fewer audience members have seen it and none of Theatre 98's actors have performed it. This means the cast and crew was able to bring the production to life completely with their own vision.

"It's organic and fun and it's not like Shakespeare or something where everyone has an idea of what it should be," White said. "This is totally something different that we can play with."

As a director White said the best fun comes with collaborating with the actors to create characters.

"I look at myself as a sculptor who helps smooth off the edges so these people can come to life," he said.

The cast is filled with faces familiar on the Theatre 98 and several newcomers. Cast members are Jennifer Walker, Anthony Finch, Camp Walker, Heather Delker, Brian Liddy, Richard Foster, Lucretia Little and Meagan Daves.