The Unexpected Guest

Not a typical production at Christmastime but a full house filled the auditorium for an intriguing Murder Mystery with of course a twist as only Agatha Christie can provide. Written in 1958 we were taken back to a foggy, late winter’s night somewhere in the depths of South Wales. In an orange and brown wallpapered lounge of a large property a stranger is entering through the unlocked curtained French door encountering one Richard Warwick quite dead in his wheelchair, his wife lurking in the shadows holding a gun, silent in total shock, seemingly having just shot him. But is this the case?

Set comprehensive construction of the room was headed by Frank Jenks, Ian Morson and the Stables Theatre Workshop with Lisa Hurley and Chantal Veness responsible for the array of props. Attention to the smallest detail was achieved. It was decorated in the style of the 50’s obviously with a male influence as Warwick had been a big game hunter, so stuffed animals were apparent, guns also a passion, book shelving, even a skin rug front of stage, settee a single cream armchair . Paintings, wall lights and much brown furniture. Stage right was a deep brown door leading to other parts of the house - used by a gun loving not quite the ticket half brother to the deceased, a starchy Mrs Warwick senior, the overly loyal housekeeper plus a dubious blackmailing nurse/valet to the master. Stage left was a drinks table complete with soda syphon, decanters and circular ice bucket. A large fireplace with wood box and another door to Warwick’s bedroom, who had been wheelchair bound resulting from a lion attack. He had become a thoroughly unpleasant man who drank. So, after considerable delving the detective and local bobby had plenty of suspects. Added to the mix was prospective MP Julian Farrar, a good target for blackmail as he supposedly in a secret relationship with Laura Warwick.

Typical twists and turns for the duration, very wordy and actually I think I sussed it right from the start – who would walk through an open French door late at night having driven one’s car into a ditch in the fog and agree to a storyline of the wife’s innocence so convincingly?

Jeremy Vinogradov took on the role of intruder portraying a convincing Michael Starkwedder  with copious amounts of script throughout, working with  Louise Kimber so very plausible becoming the badly treated wife, Laura. Alan Hayes doubled his roles seated motionless for what seemed an age, arm dangling as the dead body and returning as the suited rather plum parliamentary candidate Farrar. Henry White played the overactive, blood and gore lover Jan who really required specialised help. Stephen Gray with a European accent appeared as seemingly loyal Henry Angell who was not averse to blackmail. Vivienne Pattison was the organising secretary, serious, spectacled, hair in a bun, Miss Bennett known as Benny, with Hilary Derrett with her walking stick, smartly turned out, matriarch. Theo Cheesman appeared Dressed in, of the time popular sheepskin coat playing a serious investigating officer Detective Insp Thomas, although having a Welsh name a London accent came across, assisted by Beth Stringer as the uniformed local police officer Sgt Cadwallader with wonderful Welsh brogue adding a lighter touch.

Gill Jenks always so good with getting the period of a production exactly right again costumed the cast perfectly.

Sound, music and lighting designed gave both mystery and suspense and Lisa Hurley stage direction created good movement, action and polish of this pre-Christmas Agatha Christie play. With thanks to all the unseen helpers too who contribute so much to the Stables continued success.

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