The Unexpected Guest

In true Agatha Christie style, the play is set in the country house of the Warwick family. It is a very foggy night and a total stranger, Michael Starkwedder, enters the home though the un-locked French windows. He discovers the dead body of Richard Warwick with his wife, Laura, holding a gun - did she kill him or not? This is the start of a plot with the usual twist and turns expected from Agatha Christie.

Although Laura admits to killing her malicious husband, Michael Starkwedder is not convinced, and she eventually tells him she is innocent. Laura relates the terrible things that Richard had done in his life and of the enemies he made. The most tragic incident being the death of a young boy whom Richard killed while out driving his car and under the influence of drink. The name of the boy’s father is MacGregor and Michael and Laura adjust the evidence to build up a story they hope will lead the police to blame MacGregor.

However, as the play progress it appears that due to Warwick’s vindictiveness several members of his family and household also had a reason to kill him, but all of them had solid alibis at the time of the murder.  

Chris Webb plays Michael Starkwedder who very cleverly steered the police to believe the man they were looking for is MacGregor and Laura Warwick, played by Emily Rose Hay, was hysterical before eventually calming down. It then comes to light that due to Richard’s cruel nature; Laurel could well have killed him as she had found solace in the arms of another man and wanted a divorce. Both actors were excellent in these roles.

Other members of the Warwick family also had reasons to dislike Richard and even his own mother didn’t like him. Cein Edwards was marvellous as the elegant Mrs Warwick with her graceful poise and upper-class accent, all the while keeping a secret regarding her son. 

Teenager Jan Warwick, child-like and with an innocent outlook on life, was a target for Richard’s cruelty who made fun of him and threatened to send him away. This drove Jan into fits of temper and after a tempestuous scene he ran away threating everyone with a gun. It is not easy to act this type of character, but Joe Isingoma skilfully gave this troubled young boy true feelings and empathy. A brilliant piece of acting.

In all country houses we have a lady who runs the household like clockwork and Alison Glentworth was perfectly cast as the super-efficient Miss Bennett. In a highly tense scene, she goaded young Jan Warwick into admitting he killed Richard, which of course was not true, leading us to believe that she could have committed the crime.

Laura’s lover is the local and very arrogant MP, Julian Farrar, who visited the home frequently and was apparently the last person to see Richard alive. Due to the forthcoming elections, he cannot be seen to be involved with either a murder or a love affair. Christopher Paul was very impressive in the role and carried it off with style.

As in all Agatha Christie’s plots we have a butler, or, in this case a male nurse named Henry Angell, at the beck and call of Richard Warwick. While quietly going about his work he notices Laura and Julian meeting each other on the night of the murder and Henry decided a bit of blackmail and cash from Julian wouldn’t go amiss. Simon Hanna delivered the dialogue and mannerisms suitable for this Angell character with ease. Another fine piece of acting.

Trying to sort out and find the murderer we have Inspector Thomas and Sergeant Cadwallader, and with many twists and turns they do their best to solve the mystery. Agatha Christie’s writing seemed to imply that the police were not always on the ball and Philip Claxton as the Inspector and Liz Lynch-Smith as the Sergeant were spot-on with these characters.   

Congratulations to everyone involved in this production which was extremely well directed and with first-rate performances from a strong and confident cast. The pace of the performance and diction of the dialogue was very good with a well thought out set, lighting, sound, and costumes to match. The cast portrayed their individual characters as the writer intended, while at the same time keeping up the suspense as to the murderer’s identity right to the end - never guessed who the murderer was.   

Thank you for the invite and hospitality and a most enjoyable evening out at the theatre.

Sue Cox  NODA N.E. Drama Rep Reg 14

 

 

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