Murder on the Nile

Murder on the Nile a play presented by St Ambrose Players at St Ambrose Halls for All, Moss Lane, Leyland on Thursday 13th February, 2025

Murder on the Nile is based on Agatha Christie’s 1937 novel ‘Death on the Nile’ which in itself started off as a play which Christie called ‘Moon on the Nile’. The storyline follows the trials and tribulations of Kay Mostyn, supposedly the ‘richest women’ in England, a lady who has led a very charmed life. Blessed with beauty, enormous wealth and a new husband, she embarks on a honeymoon voyage down the Nile. Fatal circumstances await when the idyllic surroundings are shattered by a shocking and brutal murder. Under scrutiny is a multitude of memorable passengers, all with a reason to kill. The tension and claustrophobia builds, as a shocking and audacious conspiracy is laid bare!

The Production Team … the ever so experienced David White (Director) and Mac McCormack (Assistant Director) were the ones chosen to take us on this ill-fated journey down the Nile.  From the off, you could see/tell that David and Mac had made some great choices when it came to the casting and had managed with some imagination and understanding, to bring all the authors characters to life.  From the off, you could see and feel the connection between the cast members, resulting in a cast that looked engaged, well-rehearsed and up for the challenge that lay ahead.  Well done both of you, be proud of what you helped bring to stage!

The Cast… in typical Christie fashion, all thirteen characters involved in this production are introduced in the first scene as they board the Nile Steamer before they all become cut off from the outside world as the steamer sets sail. They included ....

i) ‘1st Beadseller’ played by Oliver Grindrod ... (A pesky peddler, selling cheap trinkets to passengers)
ii) ‘2nd Beadseller’ played by Charlie Grindrod ... (Another pesky peddler ... with more cheap trinkets)
iii) ‘Steward’ played by Fraser Bruce... (Head Waiter on board the steamer)
iv) ‘Miss Ffoliot-Ffoulkrs’ played by Siobhan Edge ... (A very wealthy snob)
v) ‘Christina Grant’ played by Alison Griffiths-Barnes ... (Miss Ffoliot-Ffoulkrs - Neice)
vi) ‘Smith’ played by Adam G. Smith ... (A wise cracking socialist, with a very sharp tongue)
vii) ‘Louise’ played by Anna O’Hanlon ... (Kay Mostyn’s Maid)
viii) ‘Dr Bessner’ played by Frank Duxbury ... (A Psychologist and a Physician)
ix)  ‘Kay Mostyn’ played by Nicola Preston (The ‘richest girl in England’)
x)   ‘Simon Mostyn’ played by Paul Regan (Kay’s estranged husband)
xi)  ‘Canon Pennefather’ played by Kieran Smith (Kay's uncle and guardian)
xii)  ‘Jacqueline de Severac’ played by Sarah White (Kay's ex-best friend - Simon's ex- fiancée)
xiii)  ‘McNaught’ played by Teague Robertson (The Lotus's Steam ship, Captain)

The tone for the evening was set from the opening scene and the arrival of the first passengers on board the steamer, who, in typical fashion, were besieged by our two ‘pesky bead sellers’ who looked splendid in their robes, trying to sell them anything ... to the final scene when the ‘noose dropped in’ and the lighting changed dramatically ... you just knew we were in for a treat!  This is usually the place where I ‘stick the old neck out’ and start selecting MY favourite characters, but in my opinion, the success of this production wasn’t down to an individual ... the success was down to a cast who’d come together under the leadership of David and Mac, two directors who’d had the courage and experience to allow scenes to develop naturally and who’d helped this cast of talented actors create a set of totally believable characters, all of whom were blessed with wonderful stage presence,  great characterisation skills, crisp understandable diction that was present throughout and when that happens, there’s very little else you can ask and if the applause at the end of every scene and at the bows were anything to go by ... this was a production appreciated and enjoyed by an almost full house that evening at St Ambrose’s Hall for All!

Set/Tech/Staging ... once again the ‘Back Stage Wizards’ had been hard at work to create what was another ‘stunning backdrop’ for the actors to do their thing!  Led, as always by Graham Forrest and Steve Barnes (Stage Managers) ... with Graham and Steve sharing the backstage workload with Martin Dempsey, Paul Gregson, Gordon Manley and Tony Stevens (Stage Crew) and with their ‘artist in residence’ Paul Gregson painting up a storm (not literally) ... this was another fabulous set, perfect for what lay ahead!  I really can’t move on without talking in detail about the view from the ‘Steamers windows’, (not sure there actually called windows, but you know what I mean ahahaha). As the journey progressed, so did the backdrops behind the windows, creating movement and time... the highlight being the evening scene where a ‘moon’ appeared in all its splendour ... it’s all about the detail, and detail is never far away here at St Ambrose... once again be very proud!

Lighting and Sound ...  under the watchful eye and ear of the experienced Stephen Porter... some of the lighting plot added so much to the scene and having chosen, for the first time ever, to sit at the back of the hall, I honestly don’t think I missed a single word... congrats Stephen... great job!   

Wardrobe... what a terrific set of costumes!  Perfect for this production, added so much and enhanced many if not all the scenes.   Taking charge of the wardrobe, we had Sam Torkington and the cast themselves who should be congratulated on their efforts pulling together such a superb wardrobe!
Props... again first class and used extremely well under the watchful eye of Dot Pilkington.

Thank you so much for the inviting my wife and I and for allowing me to meet and speak with cast and crew after the show which I always enjoy … great production, looking forward to seeing you all again soon!

Stay safe, keep well…
‘Stronger Together’
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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