Appointment with Death

APPOINTMENT WITH DEATH. CARLTON PLAYERS  SEPT 19TH 2017.

 Many people reading their programme would have been surprised , as I was, to find that Hercul Poirot was knowhere to be seen. The play adapted from the book of the same name  proved to be a radical reworking  of the novel: Not only was Hercule bandoned but the identitiy of the killer  changed. Several red herrings are dropped that point to various members of the family with the implication that  suspicion of each other would lead to long term problems between them and leave them forever in the victim’s shadow.

 For those of us who remember the film and TV versions the play is overly wordy as the various characters and their agendas  are introduced however the Directors could not resort to quick  scene changes which would point to the development of the plot as on TV or Film.

 Directors Phylis Brighouse and Marc Smith made good use of the limited stage space to get their characters in place, as it were and this enabled the piece to continue if not quickly at least at a reasonable pace.  Favoured by a strong cast  they were able to bring out the characters of the protagonists.

 Rachel Razbully got little sympathy from her audience through her excellent portrayal of the devious,overbearing Mrs Boynton. Had this been a pantomime the boos would have been loud. A young woman herself  she captured the ageing Boynton very well.

 The youngest of the Boyntons was played by Laura Smith and from the opening scene in the hotel  conveyed the troubled person she was. Her darting movements and rushed speech helped maintain this pose throughout. A young lady who I am sure will succeed in whatever part she plays.

Callum Downes  depicted the shell of a man who was Lennox Boynton. The downcast eyes  and slumped appearance showed the emotional burden which he carried,caught between love for his wife and perceived duty to his step mother.

 Jen Woods played Lennox’s wife Nadine perhaps the only family member not completely overawed by her Mother-in-law and caught between  her husband’s weakness and the attentions of on old flame which she was more than  able to carry off

 Jay Giblin: Raymong Boynton the youngest son  . His posture, sulky attitude, nervous twitches and wringing of hands emphasized Raymond’s broken spirit. When involved outside of the family, particularly his intended love, Raymond was a stronger character, which Jay portrayed through bright eyes but with quivering voice which showed the dichotomy of his role.

 

David Tolcher was Dr Gerard  formal and stilted with well maintained accent and slight  but precise nod of the head, he was depicted exactly in character.

  Bliss Hunter portrayed Dr. Sarah King the archetyplal young english doctor; herstrraight posture and head held high denoted a professional woman of merit. Dr.King had many encounters with the Boynton family and her  range of emotion expressed through her vocal quality, from breathy and light to strong and stilted, wide-eyed, stern expressions accentuated King’s role as the doctor moved between her profession, a love interest, and standing up to Mrs. Boynton. 

 

Lady Westholme is usually  the murderess but In the play, Lady Westholme becomes a purely comic character; played by  Maureen McConnell  she was a former English politician and still holds rank as a force to be reckoned with. Her domineering stance showed Westhome’s conflicting power struggle.Looking down her nose and tuttutting added to her holier than though attitude  Her over-the-top sparring with Higgs was well done.
 

 

Miss Amabel Price, Lady Wethome’s traveling companion, was played by Christine Smith She was the quintessential prim and proper English woman and  displayed this perfectly with her quiet demeanor and confidence, radiant by strong voice and sweet smile. 

Dan Burkarth played Jefferson Cope, a doctor who was in love with Nadine Boynton. Burkarth’s nervous laughter and unsteady movements showed Cope’s unease in how to show his love for Nadine. With a slight stutter and constant fidgeting with jacket buttons, Burkarth amplified his encounters on stage.

 

Gareth Crawshaw played Alderman Higgs, a fellow guest, who was in a constant state of verbal sparring with Lady Westholme the comedic relief in  the show. A Bluff Englishman Higgs’ cocky character with drink in hand, wide gestures and exasperated attitude was strongly adopted . However, Higgs is a brief character in the play although his  style and character gave us some fine comedic moments

 

Barry played multiple roles as Hotel Clerk, and Colonel Carberry. In each of these he deftly changed demeanor and energy to portray these characters. His hotel clerk was slouched shoulders and a “yes sir” humility. . As Colonel Carberry, he nicely transformed once again to a steely-eyed detective ready to solve a murder. Through his deep commanding tone and pointed movements, his actions set him as a man of power. 

 

Archie Roberts  nailed the constant pleasing behaviour of a dragoman and how they try hard to gain good favor with their clients  attempts to sell local artefacts and earn greater tips.

 

The main characters were  supported Daniel Lynch ,Liam Carr, Susana Lousada and Chris Clifton and to these congratulation must also goto  all the backstage team

 

 Appointment with Death was well handled by the Directorial team and cast and led to suspenseful moments as the audience were lead to the eventual  denoument. Which  in the end turned out to be suicide.    Well done to you all     Budge

 

 

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