A Murder is Announced

A Murder is Announced is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie, first published in the UK in June 1950 and adapted for the stage in 1977 by Leslie Darbon. It is set in the quiet village of Chipping Cleghorn where an announcement in the local paper states that a murder is to take place in the home of Miss Blacklock that evening, at 6.30pm. As Miss Blacklock, her lodgers, and curious visitors begin to arrive, tensions mount and everyone wonders if it is a silly joke. However, at the appointed time the lights cut out, gunshots are heard and when the lights come on, Miss Blacklock has had a near-miss from a bullet and an unknown man lies on the floor with a gun next to him. With the arrival of Inspector Craddock, a murder investigation begins and much to his frustration he is joined by amateur sleuth, Miss Marple. It is revealed that Miss Blacklock could be in line to inherit a huge sum of money but who would stand to gain from her murder?

Helen Preston was perfect as Letitia Blacklock. She was the epitome of a lady of substance, dignified and indeed was a caring friend. She tries her best to persuade everyone that the announcement must be a joke but after the incident and upon questioning from the inspector she quite eloquently reveals that she knew Rudi Scherz, the murdered man, from her time in Switzerland, also that her former boss left his estate to her in the event of his wife Belle’s death and if she dies before Belle, the fortune will pass to Pip and Emma Stamfordis, the twin children of Randall’s estranged sister, Sonia. Throughout all these emotional outpourings, which Helen delivered so well, she never waivers from being the upright person expected of her position. Dora Bunny, an eccentric friend cared for by Letitia, was exceptionally portrayed by Carol Cooper. She totally captured the nervous disposition, the flustered forgetfulness of the character superbly and her seemingly inability to not withhold her thoughts and secrets, together with her mannerisms and facial expressions were just all sublime. Julia Simmons, a second cousin of Letitia who is temporarily lodging with her, was extremely well played by Lucy Pledge. She had a strong stage presence, was quite upbeat but you definitely felt that there was something not quite right about her persona. James Bryan excelled as her brother Patrick Simmons capturing the laid-back and cheeky attitude of the character impeccably. Their bickering, as brother and sister, was quite an expected trait but, when they kissed - well, what were they hiding!  Ray Dell definitely fitted the bill as D.I. Dermot Craddock he was totally self assured, his no nonsense, strident demeanour, tenacious disposition and exasperations were well delivered but, he did ‘tolerate’ Miss Marple’s interference. Rachel Rist was ideally suited to the role of Miss Marple. She quietly captured the inquisitive observations of the character in a most unassuming manner and although she was a little bit of a hindrance to the Inspector it was achieved in a most charming way. Excellent support came from Olivia Brooks as Clara Swettenham, the rather hoity-toity nosy neighbour, desperately trying to deny being there for the gossip and as her son Edmund, Ed Telfer splendidly portrayed his outspoken and self-opinionated nature. Phillippa Haymes was delightfully played by Annie Phillips and good support came from Chris Doyle as Sergeant George Mellors and not forgetting Zach North as Rudi Scherz, the ‘victim’. But for me, a standout performance came from Louise Sutton as Mitzi Kosinski. She so brilliantly and hilariously brought out every inch of comedy in the role made all the more appealing with her superb, never faltering East European accent. Her over active and dramatic anxiousness, her fiery temper, her obsessiveness with garlic and cooking were all so expressively delivered. Even the ‘squeaky trolley’ was made more effective because of her facial expressions. A truly great performance. The inevitable unravelling of the mystery of ‘who killed’ Rudi Scherz was quite a surprise. I did not point the finger at Letitia, I must admit, but, with devious intervention, the true identity of the murderer was finally revealed along with the quite intriguing back story and of course, together with the intuitions, suspicions and detective prowess of both the Inspector and Miss Marple, who eventually worked together, it was solved.

The set was absolutely top-notch designed by Val Ryan & Andy Aldred with construction by Andy Aldred, Neil Beards, Theresa Hodgkinson, Heather Davies and Bailey Hodgkinson and Properties were by the Cast and Crew. The furniture was lavish with exquisite armchairs, a chaise-longue, a beautiful oak bureau and tables with working wall lights and central chandelier and stunning fixtures and fittings. The room had at one time been two separate ones and even that was evident by a small protrusion on the back wall. There were two beautiful solid doors and when opened there were visible paintings on the back wall, little touches like that are so very often overlooked. The actual ‘murder scene’ was brilliantly executed in that precisely as the clock chimed for 6.30, there was a sudden bang and a flash which came from a table light and the stage was then in darkness. Gun shots were heard followed by the shining of torches, and chaos reigned until the lights were back on when Patrick finds a gun and of course, the dead body. We also see that a painting is askew over the fireplace with bullet holes in the wall. The costumes were in keeping with the period, with changes being made to indicate the passing of time, the lighting and sound were spot-on and together with the gorgeous set they all added to the whole ambience of the production.

Many congratulations to Directors Val Ryan & Tom Bannister, to everyone Back Stage and especially to the very talented cast. Also my thanks to the Front of House Team for their warm welcome and for the brief meeting with Tom and his offer of hospitality. This was a very dramatic, funny and thought provoking show that had me contemplating the outcome right up to the very end - so typical of an Agatha Christie story and so impressively achieved by the Company.

© NODA CIO.  All rights reserved 

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.