Spiders Web

~~Although a long time fan of Agatha Christie I have not seen much of her stage work so it was a pleasure for me to get the opportunity to see this production.  In fairness it started off quite slowly  but soon picked up as the story enfolded and the humour found it's way into the dialogue and action.
There was at times almost an element of farce present.

Written at the request of Margaret Lockwood  who was seeking a change from her usual film roles she plays the part of Clarissa, the wife of a Foreign Office diplomat, given to daydreaming. ‘Supposing I were to come down one morning and find a dead body in the library, what should I do?’ she muses; of course she is soon to find out.  This development soon involves house quests, the gardner ,a stepdaughter,butler, a crook and the police all in the best Christie tradition.

Holly Skelton gave a fine interpretation of Clarissa once the story really got under way. Her portrayal of the naïve femme fatale from whom all confusion flows set the tone as Clarissa persuades her three house guests to become accessories and accomplices. It seems that the murdered man was not unknown to certain members of the house party (but which ones?), and the search begins for the murderer and the motive, while at the same time trying to persuade a police inspector that there has been no murder at all.

As Sir Michael Delahaye, Michael Hunter joined with Graham Breckon as the slightly bumbling Hugo Birch and eager to help Mark Latham playing Jeremy Warrender as the guests. Each in his own way found and held his character as the plot progressed..  Kirsten Branscombe as the step daughter Pippa was convincing in her portayal of a schoolgirl. Then we had the “Gardner”
beautifully rendered by Vivienne Sebastian in an almost Rutherfordian style; a delight to her audience whenever she appeared. I'm pleased to tell you that the Butler (Gareth Griffiths) didn't do it but gave the definite impression that he might have. The eventual dead body gave us Stephen J Higgins in the role of Oliver Costello,  a wrong 'un from the moment he appeared. Brian Shortell as Clarissa's husband made two but nevertheless telling appearances.

Enter the Police summoned by some unknown person who reported a murder.
Inspector Lord and Constable Jones  (Steve Youster and Craig Reynolds).
Inspector Lord met his match in Clarissa whose charms at some stage seemed destined to make her stories of what happened believable which was almost unbelievable. Our P.C fulfilled his role by calling witnesses and making notes.

So who done it?  Clarissa thought Pippa might have, then there was the butler, no too easy. Miss Peake ? She obviously knew something. At this stage I didn't know. Finally it was Clarissa yes Clarissa who realised who the murderer was when it appeared that Pippa would be his next victim.
Confused, so was I but as he was attempting to strangle Clarissa (Not Pippa) the police in best cavalry tradition time thanks to Sir Rowland and yes you've guessed it was Jeremy Warrender all the time. Agatha had done it again.  Did I mention the secret drawer in the desk or the secret room ..no well never mind they like everyone else involved played their part well including the back stage team.  Budge

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