The Unexpected Guest

GCLT’s 2014 season began with the Agatha Christie thriller The Unexpected Guest, regarded by the playwright as one of her favourites.

Director Andrew Trump steered the strong, nine member cast through all the twists expected in a play of this nature with pace and style. Each character was believable – especially when the inevitable finger pointing and accusations started to flow.

The cast of Martin Jennings, Megan Frener, Mitchell Walsh, Marja-Liisa Rintala, Jimmy Odenbreit, Lisa Shah, Terry Fitzpatrick, Cecile Campbell and Grant Ebling  were flawless in this “wordy” mystery and as such, it was impossible to single out any one player – all bouncing off each other in well rehearsed fashion.

Giving the play a modern setting did not detract from the storyline and the attention to detail in the stage dressing was to be commended.

This production has set the bar high for the Gold Coast Season and it will be interesting to see how other productions measure up.

Roger McKenzie