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A
Murder is Announced
Lichfield Garrick
***
THE British love a murder a mystery, and
Agatha Christie epitomises the genre at its best.
The plays, like the novels, draw heavily for
their appeal on period settings, and mores which may always have been
more artistic creation, than fact.
A shocking murder, solved by a curious old lady,
in well- dressed middle class settings, with secrets that will out, is
the formula that works, and is one which is skilfully exploited by
Middle Ground Theatre Company who have been combining a programme of
classic and alternative drama since 1988 with an impressive roster of
acting talent.
A Murder is Announced
was written in 1950, reprising an earlier short story
The Companion,
and features detective stalwart Miss Marple, whose character has been
reimagined contemporaneously in the hit television detective series
Vera.
It was around (depending on how you count)
Christie’s 50th novel. Even then, the fealty of her followers was
legendary, and it was an instant success with its established, and
proven, melange of ingredients. Leslie Darbon has adapted this for the
stage.
At the centre of the story is a startling
conceit. In the Personal Column of the Chipping Cleghorn Gazette is an
advertisement: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday
October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30 p.m. Friends please accept
this, as the only intimation.’
Miss Marple (Judy Cornwell) arrives to unravel the murderous
consequences.
Cornwell is best known
for her portrayal of Daisy in the TV sit-com
Keeping Up Appearances
and imbues her Miss Marple with vim, eccentricity, and warmth as she
knits, spinning out her purls of wisdom, in tweed skirt and sensible
shoes.
Judy Conwell as Miss Jane Marple and
Tom Butcher s Inspector Craddock
Christie’s legendary legerdemain means that
working out the identity of the murderer is futile, instead it is best
to sit back and enjoy the well-crafted drama.
Jennifer Helps costuming is a delight
complimenting a satisfyingly appointed drawing room offering luxurious
comfy chintz sofas and armchairs.
Rachel Bright steals the show as Julia, looking
gorgeous in elegant figure hugging dresses and with secrets to hide. But
as Inspector Craddock, Tom Butcher also shines in a three-piece suit and
an intellect which his ponderous mannerisms initially obscure.
It is a large cast, some twelve strong, and
unusually for Christie, a comic figure in the guise of Mitzi is
included, a role which Lydia Piechowiak clearly enjoyed playing as much
as the audience enjoyed her performance of the role.
The story, directed by Michael Lunney, and 1977
adaptation, does veer between period charm, and uncomfortable
anachronism. Full further education grants, the Police dismissed as
“Gestapo”, suspicious foreigners, and “Leftie” writers, all feel like a
long time ago now, but the world of Agatha Christie sets its own agenda
and is part of the appeal. Runs until Saturday, 27 February and
continues on national tour
Gary Longden
23-02-16
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