A Murder is Announced

Photo: Andy Abbott

Review by Martine Silkstone

It has to be said that any theatre company attempting to put on a production of an Agatha Christie play has certainly set themselves a challenge. The Queen of Crime wrote mysteries that are full of interconnected characters with complicated back stories, not to mention all the usual twists and turns of the genre, and the small-but-vital details that make her stories so clever.

So, I have to say “bravo” to the Irving Stage Company, currently performing ‘A Murder is Announced’ at Theatre Royal in Bury St Edmunds.

Of course, the constraints of the form mean that, in this adaptation by Leslie Darbon, we lose several of the characters and side plots that featured in the source material, but that all helps to streamline the narrative.

Still, we have all the important elements…

In a sleepy 1950s English village, an advertisement in the Chipping Cleghorn Gazette announces the time and place for a murder, and that evening, a roomful of locals witness the death of an unknown man. Of course, no one is quite what they seem, and every clue leads up another blind alley. Fortunately, amateur sleuth Miss Marple is on hand to unravel the mystery and unmask the guilty.

Now, let me say to start with that I enjoyed it.

The staging is effective with creeping mould on the walls adding to the atmosphere. The costumes are all fabulous and it’s wonderful to see so many changes throughout the show.

Importantly, Alice Robertson is suitably-sweet-but-sharp-as-a-tack as Christie’s amateur sleuth, Miss Marple, whom we first meet looking fetching in a rather lovely coatigan.

Sian Couture - the company’s artistic director - is all calm authority in the role of Miss Blacklock, Emma Marsh is ditsy and adorable as Dora Bunner, Jess Hughes brings energy and humour to proceeding in her role as Mitzi, and Seb Ranson as Patrick is a natural on stage,

I also love Julie Merrick as Clara Swettenham - superior, haughty, matriarchal, and with a strong stage presence - I could see her as Lady Catherine de Burgh in Pride and Prejudice any day.

However…

As is so often the case with this kind of play, the first act is a little slow as it has so much exposition to complete. Even then, if you went in not knowing the story (and for some reason, despite having seen the TV version several times, I can never remember who did it and why!) you may find it a little hard to follow.

It is fair to say that the action is well done when required - I loved the use of the lights and sound effects to build tension. And in the second half things definitely hotted up as Inspector Craddock (Mark Blackwell) searched for the murderer among those assembled at the scene of the crime. Then, as we came to the conclusion, everything was clearly explained as the killer was finally caught in a trap designed by Miss Marple (of course).

So much to enjoy and some wonderful performances - it just didn’t always flow easily or keep enough drama and pace for me.

That said, it was great to see the theatre full on a weekday, and it is fair to say that the audience were lapping it up, if the gasps and exclamations were anything to go by.

I can’t wait for their production of Spamalot in November - I’m sure it will be great.

A Murder is Announced is at Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds until May 3.

FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE