Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced”
The stage adaptation of one of “A Murder is Announced,” directed by Jaqueline Kerr, was performed by the Villanova Players on Friday. A wonderful portrayal of one of Agatha Christies most loved stories, brings back the beloved Mrs Marple and introduces various delightful and intriguing characters in the English Countryside. When a notification of a murder is printed in the local paper, everyone is curious to discover who and what will happen at 6:30pm that evening…
The stage was set in the sitting room of Miss Blacklock, carefully decorated with several armchairs, a loveseat and a small coffee table positioned center stage. The false walls were a sage green and were complimented by artwork hanging on the wall and two red doors. There was ample space for several actors on stage at one time, with no issues for blocking and good use of space. The furniture and props were thematically correct and welcoming.
Sound and lighting was fairly standard, involving a white light above the stage for most scenes. The scene where the announced murder occurs involved a sudden lowering of the light and a few flashes of light that sensitive viewers should be aware of. Prior to the performance, music aligning with the time period set the tone appropriately. The costumes suited each of the characters, aligning with the fashions of the time period. Makeup and hair were also notable, kept simple but gracefully complimented the female actresses.
The actors portraying Mrs Marple (Desley Nichols), Inspector Craddock (Leo Bradley) and Miss Blacklock (Phillipa Bowe) did exceptional in their roles, seamlessly committing to the dialogue and motivations of their characters. It was highly enjoyable to watch as they three of them interacted with one another as well as with characters such as Bunny (Lorraine Fox), Mitzi (Robyn Stumm), Patrick (Reece Milne), Julia (Isabella Stone), Edmund (Steven Eggington), Clara (Jill Cross) and Phillipa (Sioban Evans). The role of Rudy Shertz and Sgt. Mellors (John Evans) was also a good addition to the ensemble.
The style of dialogue, articulation and gradual defining of relationships between each of the characters seemed more than natural to each actor, making it very easy to apply praise for their great work in this production. Each scene cleverly directed and increasingly engaging to the audience. Many in the crowd audibly oohed and aahed at each new development, as a new secret was revealed and the plot thickened.
Because of their rousing performances (along with the director’s attempt to engage the audience with an opportunity to guess the murderer prior to Act 1), it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening for all who attended. All in all, a highly recommended whodunit that will keep you guessing until the end!
To book tickets to A Murder Is Announced, please visit https://www.villanovaplayers.com/plays/a-murder-is-announced.
