A Murder is Announced

It is several years since I have seen a live murder mystery play on stage despite drama being my first true love. Agatha Christie is the Queen of the whodunits and this production was a perfect medium to re-pique my interest. From the opening of the curtains it was apparent that the set had been designed and ‘dressed’ with fine detail in mind with period furniture, ornaments, and wallpaper. Costumes were also period although some cast members could have researched hairstyles of the era a little more fully. As with all Agatha Christie plays there were many characters – most of whom had motives and opportunity to be the murderer. ‘Red herrings’ and genuine ‘clues’ came thick and fast and by half time most of the audience’s brains could well have been addled wiuth all the permutations. As with any murder mystery play the pace did ebb and flow to allow the audience to catch up with the clues but the actors seemed generally assured in their roles. No more so than Jean Ord as ‘Letitia Blacklock’ whose poise, grace and almost continuous presence on stage belied her ultimate denouncement as the murderer. This is the first time I have seen Jean perform without a violin or conductor’s baton in her hand and I was pleasantly surprised to see her as an accomplished actress.

At times all cast members were on stage at the same time yet despite this the small set did not look ‘cluttered’ although some on the periphery were ‘hidden’ to members of the audience on the end of rows. With twelve cast members it is impossible to mention everyone and probably unfair as a play is a ‘team’ effort with each character, no matter how large or small their role, adding to the performance. It is fair to say that each player did indeed add to a splendid evening’s entertainment.

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