Spider's Web

Agatha Christie’s whodunit Spider’s Web is full of twists and turns, fibs and lies, guessing games and some funny moments. I really liked the set, with the different doors leading to different parts of the house and garden, it had a very homely feel about it. The costumes are also very good. Director John Turpin assisted by Rosemary Guy have an excellent cast with this play.

The play centres around Copplestone Court, the rented house of newly married Henry & Clarissa. Paul Berry plays Henry a suitable politician. Jacqueline Reynolds takes the role of Clarissa, the main character of the piece, getting into all sorts of funny moments and keeping the pace going, she plays the part very well.

Clarissa is helped in the cover-up of the murder by her guardian Sir Rowland, Richard Bennett, and local JP Hugo, Peter Ansell, and house guest Jeremy, James Butler. All three work very well together and with the other characters in the play.

Taylor Button, plays Henry’s daughter (Pippa), and should get a special mention. She has some great light and shade and puts a lot of energy into the role. Tim McConnell plays the suitably nasty, unpleasant Oliver Costello (Henry’s first wife’s new husband) who is murdered, after starting a sequence of events involving blackmail.

The police are in the capable hands of Steven Reynolds (Inspector Lord) and Ethan Wilkinson as (Constable Jones) he has a great accent, and there are some great lines between them.

Nigel Bonynge plays Elgin, the Butler, and Lucie Evans is excellent as the didn’t miss a thing, “Jolly Hockey Sticks” type Mildred Peake, the gardener.

Thanks for a great evening, enjoyed by the whole audience.

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