A Murder is Announced

This Miss Marple Mystery by Agatha Christie and adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon was a popular choice for St Ambrose Players judging by the audience numbers for each performance.    Director David White, had worked so well with the large cast and there were no weak links.

Curtains opened to reveal a well designed, constructed and decorated set, depicting two drawing rooms which had been made into one room, in an early Victorian home, “ Little Paddocks ” , in Chipping Cleghorn. Congratulations to the Company for their excellent standard of stage settings. Particular attention had been paid to the set dressing with appropriate furnishings and properties.Costumes, accessories, make- up and hairstyles had been carefully researched in keeping with the era of the piece.

The story centres around an announcement in the local paper, that a Murder is to occur in Miss Blacklock’s house at a designated time.

This classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives and concealed identities features many twists and turns and Miss Marple, who is staying at the house, is called in to assist in providing the final solution, at a personal risk, to herself.

Lighting and Sound were particularly important to the plot, in this piece, creating the tension and the atmosphere. Well done to the entire cast for excellent Diction and Projection and very convincing characterizations.

The pace never faltered and we were immediately drawn into the complex story line.

Julie Webster, who had the bulk of the dialogue, as Letitia Blacklock, used all her experience to produce an outstanding performance in this pivotal role. She looked completely at ease, on the stage, and her delivery of Christie’s dialogue was very convincing. The iconic role of Miss Marple, has been portrayed in many different ways, by numerous actors, both on stage and screen. This interpretation by the versatile Siobhan Edge was very well defined and she gave a very measured and thoughtful performance. Joan Watkinson was very convincing as the eccentric Dora “ Bunny “ Bunner .It is always encouraging to see younger, up and coming actors joining this popular, well established Company. Mikey Coleman, as Patrick Simmons and Sean McLaughlin as Edmund Swettenham both looked relaxed and gave assured performances. One of the highlights of the evening, for me, was Poppy Sparroe as Mitzi, the maid who made her presence felt at every entrance. Her body language, facial expressions and articulation were all excellent as she dramatically delivered her very funny lines.

St Ambrose Players are to be congratulated on a very high standard of performance from the whole cast and I am sure David White, who Directed this Production so well, was encouraged by the hard work and talent of all involved.

 

 

 

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