NODA Review of 'A Murder is Announced'

Agatha Christie, always a good night out and this production was no exception. I didn’t know the play at all, so I was really looking at it with “fresh eyes”. John Major should be very proud of his first attempt at a Director and I hope for the company that he goes on to direct a few more productions.

 Imagine the shock as a murder was advertised to happen in your home. Along with the shock, horrors and the visit from nosey neighbours, a stroppy maid was no surprise as we were introduced to the somewhat complicated domestic arrangements, in the “blacklock!” household. Quite a crowd gathered to wait for the murder to happen. A classic Agatha Christie, with any numbers of suspects, a well woven plot, and a few red herrings for good measures. Jackie Hurley played Miss Marple perfectly with the right measures of gentle support for the family, whilst observing their every move and of course identifying our culprit. Siân Davies as Lettitia or should I say Charlotte played her part with the strength of character it would have taken to control the  house, plot the murder and keep poor confused Bunny (Heather Major) under control. A good supporting cast. Tracy Richards, Siân Major and Richard Jones all helping to confuse the situation, with complicated family arrangements and troubled lives. The fiery maid Mitzi played by Karen Claridge gave a lively cameo performance bringing humour into the plot. The evening over, our valiant policeman (Dai Williams and Martyn Lench) got their “man” and cleared up all those clues that I had failed to pick up through the play.

 The set and costume whisked us right back into the 50’s with the kind of attention to detail that is to effective, creating a bygone age a lot us remember as children. A good lighting plot and sound effects made this a marvellous evening of theatre. A jolly good yarn.

 Reviewed by Cheryl O’Brien on behalf of Frank Wooles

Cast

Julia Simmons - Siân Major

Letitia Blacklock - Siân Davies

Dora Bunner - Heather Major

Patrick Simmons - Richard Jones

Mitzi - Karen Claridge

Miss Marple - Jackie Hurley

Phillipa Haymes - Tracy Richards

Mrs Swettenham - Sue O'Halloran

Edmund Swettenham - Rhys Stapleton

Rudi Scherz - Martyn Lench

Inspector Craddock - Dai Williams

Seargant Mellors - Martyn Lench

Production Team

Producer and Director – John Major

Assistant Director – Anne Morris

Continuity – Helen Page

Stage Manager – Wayne Brewer

Assistant Stage Manager / Properties – Raynor Phinnemore

Set Design and Construction – Wayne Brewer, Raynor Phinnemore, Josh Cripp

Lighting – Alan Blakoe

Sound – Wayne Brewer

Costume - Jan Stapleton

Business Manager – Bob Petersen

House Manager – Bob Petersen

Bar Manager – Hayley Major, Chris Davidson

House Staff – Members and Friends of Hilltop

Box Office – Brenda Slaughter.