Appointment With Death

Act 1 of the play is set in the lobby of the King's Solomon Hotel in Jerusalem, in the 1930's. Guests from around the world arrive, an English doctor, a French psychiatrist, an aristocrat and a rather blunt Northern Englishman all of who are hoping for a pleasant vacation.

The arrival of a dysfunctional  American family, The Boynton's puts the rest of the guests ill at ease.  The three adult children are totally dominated by their step-mother, Emily, who is harsh and malicious and takes great enjoyment from controlling her step-children's lives.  Emily also succeeds in rubbing up the rest of the guests and hotel staff the wrong way.  Elizabeth Williams was first class in this role, every word of her dialogue was full of hatred for all these around her.  Great performance.

Megan Pestell played a very convincing neurotic and erratic Ginevra, who was closely  watched by Dr Gerard, a eminent French psychiatrist, portrayed by Jonathan Hester. Dr Gerard encouraged Ginevra that it was only her step-mother who was causing her so much stress, and wants her to come to his clinic to be treated. Jonathan's  characterisation was very good and maintained the French accent throughout the play. Lennox Boynton (John Highfield), the quite man having deep thoughts know that  something has to be done to free the family from Emily's clutches.  Lennox loves Nadine his wife deeply, but unbeknown to him, she is in love with Jefferson Cope, a friend of the family who tries to persuade her to go away with him. Nadine and Jefferson were played  by Maxine Townsend and  Mark  Winton respectively.  Raymond Boynton is the other step-son (Alex Hayward-Browne) and with the help of Dr Sarah King's (Deborah Hester) love and encouragement  Raymond over-comes his fear of his mother.  Every one of these actors performed these complex characters perfectly.

Also staying in the hotel was Lady Westholme, a member of the British government. She was excellently played by Caroline Oakley, leaving us in no doubt that she did not suffer fools gladly and, no matter what, she will be obeyed. Tony Gallagher played like a true Yorkshireman the character of Alderman Higgs, the thorn in Lady Westholme's side and was marvellous. Great characterisation from this couple.

Miss Pryce: Susan Hardacre, who was at the beck and call of Lady Westholme.  Ralph Hastings taking on the role of  A Dragoman.  These roles were well cast.  Also staying in the hotel was a lovely Italian girl, played by Kathy Allan. Her Italian was perfect.

Hazel Hancock, as the very patient hotel receptionist, was good as well as the young man  Oliver Jackson as the Arab boy.  He has a great stage presence.

During the interval the set was amazingly changed from the lobby of the hotel to the archaeological dig at Petra.  It is here that the relationships developed between Nadine and Jefferson Cope and Dr Sarah King with Raymond.  All of this does not sit well with the step-mother.  Nadine and Dr Sarah King confront Mrs. Boynton but to no avail.  However, Mrs. Boynton is found dead.  She is poisoned.  Is it an accidental death, or has she been murdered?  There are many suspects, which isn't surprising.

Colonel Carbery, who is stationed in Palestine, is called upon to solve the  mystery and Brian Barber did justice to this role.  He gathered evidence and eyewitness reports as to who could have killed Emily and how.  The outcome was not what most Agatha Christie readers expect, but the ending is a happy one.

Every Member of the cast worked well together and handled the dialogue, accents and  characterisations extremely well.

Congratulations to Stephen and Michael for a very good and well thought out production.  Louise Walsingham, Steve Atkinson  and Michael Tipler  also need to be congratulated on a first class set deign, like-wise the lighting and sound.

Thank you to the company for the invite and the hospitality.  A  most enjoyable evening.

 

 

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