A Murder Is Announced

Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries are a surefire way to fill theatre seats.  For this reason, some companies continue to stage them, despite the fact the plays are not exactly groundbreaking theatre. Opening night for Therry Dramatic Society’s production of Christie’s A Murder Is Announced was testament to the perennial popularity of the late playwright’s work, with almost a full house at the Arts Theatre in Adelaide.

The people of Chipping Cleghorn are shocked to read an advertisement in the local newspaper that not only announces a murder will take place that day, but that it will occur at 6.30 pm exactly. It also states the dreadful deed will occur at the home of well-known local, Miss Letitia Blacklock. Despite initial opinions that the announcement is only a game, a murder does occur…and right on time. Inspector Craddock is called, but he seems completely on the wrong track as to the murderer. Perhaps only house guest Miss Marple can solve this deadly mystery of complex relationships and false identities.

It’s interesting to contrast the popular Miss Marple television series with the theatrical equivalent. Unlike with theatre, much of each television murder mystery episode is visual, ie ‘shown’ not ‘told’. It occurs within a number of settings and involves background action. Theatre, though, requires the actors to ‘tell’ a good deal of the detail of a murder mystery’s background and plot. In addition, the setting is usually one room. Because of this, productions can be tedious if pace is not maintained.

Therry’s production of Leslie Darbon’s stage adaptation of A Murder Is Announced is very traditional ‘Christie murder mystery’ theatre and therefore falls a little into the tedium trap that the play’s wordiness inevitably produces. Despite the gorgeous box set, on opening night I felt myself wishing Director Ian Rigney had taken some risks with the staging in order to add visual variety and unexpected surprises to this wordy Agatha Christie play.

Rigney and Therry have been forced to take a huge risk with casting though, and have come up trumps. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Nikki Fort took over the major role of Letitia Blacklock with only nine days’ notice. On opening night she performed it wonderfully, without a script in hand; cues and stage movements so good that the overall action was unimpeded. Such was the quality of Fort’s performance that, had there not been an announcement about this last minute casting change, the audience would not have been aware of it.

Lindsay Dunn is an excellent Inspector Craddock. The play’s pace, which lagged at times on opening night, was instantly revived with his arrival and this energy was maintained as the inspector gathered the house guests to provide statements.

However, in mentioning lagging pace, perhaps the issue was understandable on the first night, along with some minor dialogue fades. The brave cast was no doubt dealing with the stress and tension associated with the recent turnaround in lead actor.

When I saw the show, overly long closed-curtain scene changes, particularly the first one, tended to exacerbate pace issues.

Anna Pike looks and sounds ideal as Miss Marple, but had some obvious issues with lines on opening night. Jude Brennan is very good as Dora Bunner, though could lift her volume, particularly in the initial scenes.

Scene stealer of the production is Zoe Dibb as Mitzi the maid. Her comic timing is terrific and her various introductions of house guests to the lady of the house are highlights of the show. Very well done.

Laura Antoniazzi, Wesley van Gelderen, Melinda Pike, Olivia Lilburn, Patrick Clements and Stanley Tuck all do well in their roles.

Don Oswald’s set is very good and beautifully dressed, with the bay window a highlight. Unfortunately, the day/night lighting of the exterior as seen through the window was spoiled once or twice on opening night by the lingering shadows of people standing behind the scenes.

Costumes and hairstyles are excellent.

Without doubt, this production will gain momentum as the season continues. In the true tradition of good community theatre companies, Therry, along with Director Ian Rigney and his cast, have soldiered on against adversity. They’ve produced a quality show that Agatha Christie devotees will surely love and that epitomises the tradition ‘the show must go on’.

As for the murder, there’s no way you’ll guess whodunit!

Lesley Reed

Images: Dora Bunner (Jude Brennan) and Miss Marple (Anna Pike), & Nikki Fort (Letitia Blacklock), Zoe Dibb (Mitzi) and Lindsay Dunn (Inspector Craddock)