The Unexpected Guest

Agatha Christie’s The Unexpected Guest is a classic whodunnit set in a remote South Wales country house. The play opens on a foggy night when a stranger, Michael Starkwedder, stumbles upon a dead man and his seemingly guilty wife standing beside the body. However, as the mystery unfolds, it becomes clear that all is not as it seems, with every character harbouring secrets that could make them the culprit. Full of twists, suspicion, and dry wit, this is one of Christie’s most atmospheric plays.

From the moment the curtains opened, the set immediately impressed — a beautifully constructed living room that allowed for multiple entrances and exits, perfectly suited to Christie’s intricate plotting. The attention to detail and the practicality of the design helped the story flow naturally and contributed greatly to the play’s tension and pacing.

The use of underscoring throughout the performance was highly effective. It added unease during key moments and heightened the suspense without ever overpowering the dialogue. The flickering lights, used to represent power issues within the house, were another clever touch. This not only reinforced the period setting but also added realism and atmosphere. Director Drew Blenkiron, an avid film enthusiast brought a cinematic quality to the production, with thoughtful lighting and sound choices enhancing the mood throughout. 

The play’s sharp wit and complex dialogue were handled with confidence by the cast. Despite a last-minute reshuffle, Peter Dawson (Inspector Thomas) and Michael Brimer (Julian Farrar) both delivered polished and convincing performances. Learning such wordy roles in just a week is no small feat, and both actors rose admirably to the challenge, never letting the pace drop.

Leading the cast, Hannah Daglish (Laura Warwick) and Mark Lamb (Michael Starkwedder) guided the audience through the mystery with clarity and strong chemistry. Their performances were natural and engaging, maintaining the tension while also bringing warmth to their characters.

Nicola Richardson (Miss Bennett) gave a particularly strong performance, with her standout moment coming in the scene opposite Eva Craig (Jan Warwick), where she expertly extracted a confession. Eva, at only 13 years old, delivered a poised and thoughtful portrayal of a complex character — certainly a young talent to watch for the future.

Rachel Craig was almost unrecognisable as Mrs Warwick, embodying an older woman with convincing physicality and an altered vocal tone that showed great versatility. Heather Scott (Sergeant Cadwallader) added wonderful touches of humour through her expressive facial reactions, while Tahnee Bedford (Angell) maintained an intriguing air of suspicion — her repeated use of “Sir” was perfectly unsettling and will linger with me for some time!

A special mention must go to the dummy in the wheelchair — an unexpected but delightful addition that provided early humour and set the tone beautifully for the intrigue that followed.

Overall, this was a thoughtful and tightly performed production. The Westovian Theatre Society should be very proud of their work — an entertaining evening of classic Christie mystery brought to life with flair and imagination.

Congratulations to Drew Blenkiron and the entire cast and crew for a thoroughly enjoyable production.

 

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