A Murder is Announced

A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
Presented by:  Chorley Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society. 
At Chorley Theatre, Dole Street, Chorley 
On 16th April 2024

 

An announcement in the local newspaper states the time and place when a murder is to occur in Mrs Blacklock’s Victorian House in the little village of Chipping Gleghorn.
The victim is not one of the houses several occupants but an unknown and unexpected visitor.  What follows is a classic Christie puzzle of mixed motives, concealed identities, a second death and a determined inspector grimly following a cases twists and turns. Fortunately, Miss Marple is on hand to provide the solution at some risk to herself in a Dramatic final confrontation. 

Agatha Christie stories are all about the characters and the casting and Directing in this production imaginatively lifted them from the page to the fifties era Village of Little Cleghorn. 

The Opening scene in the auditorium introduces two of Little Cleghorn’s residents …Mrs Swettenham was played with great aplomb by Elspeth Fisher.  With a crystal-clear voice and a natural upper-class demeanour, Elspeth created a recognisable character which she skilfully maintained throughout the play. Her cynical writer son Edmund was played by Luke Brown who looked and acted convincingly as the somewhat spoilt child. 

Letitia Blacklock was played by Karen Thompson-Butler, the Lady of the House.  Letitia is rarely off stage throughout the play and must convincingly display an extensive emotional range. Karen portrayed the character just right, with perfect vocal tempo maintained toward each climax - then brought down again as the audience is taken in another direction. 

Philippa Haymes the widowed paying guest at Letitia's played by Natalie Aspinall with the perfect warm and then cold persona. Lovely, measured performance Natalie. 

Julie Simmons played by Robyn Burns and Patrick Simmons by Nick Cox completely convincing as the bickering brother and sister. Really good timing in all interactions. 

Mitzi played by Meera Rambissoon… Letitia's ambitious House Keeper and Cook.  A defined ‘Christie’ character, deftly brought to life. Well done Meera.

Dora Letitia's childhood friend was played well by Donner Keller. Lovely believable recreation of the character Donna, you have impeccable comic timing and the comedy in the piece played so well because you were not playing for laughs. Excellent.

An outstanding portrayal of Inspector Craddock by David Walker. Voice, mannerisms, movement, Perfection. You lived the part, David.  I repeat "An outstanding performance".

Sergeant Mellors (Ciaran McGhee) you maintained a formal police attitude throughout. There was an instant natural rapport between you and the Inspector.

Efini Morgan… a brief but convincing performance as Jonny Button and I can't leave out Chris Sherburn as Rudi Scherz another brief but vital character. 

I have left one character to last because I can't deny I was mesmerised by this actors performance.  A door opened and the diminutive figure of Miss Marple played by Susan Hilton instantly commanded the stage and the Theatre. There are so many superlatives I could use to describe this performance, but I can only be honest and say it was as good as any acting I have seen in any Theatre.  Eccentric without overplaying and always from head to toe the epitome of Agatha Christie’s creation. A masterclass in character acting. 

We had a lovely scene with the detective and Miss Marple… where she slowly puts her glasses down and is engrossed in the letters.  Two experienced actors not afraid of the silence as they read - and a Director who had obviously let the scene develop naturally. 

Masterly Directed by Ellie Brown and with seamless light, sound and scene changes, a lovely night of Theatre genuinely appreciated by a capacity Audience. 

Thank you for the courtesy shown.

David Davies
On behalf of
NODA NW
District 6

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