MURDER ON THE NILE (The Agathe Christie Theatre Company)
The Agatha Christie Theatre Company returns to
Malvern Festival Theatre this week with the exotic classic, Murder On The Nile.
Simon Scullion's set design is stunning and Mike Robertson's lighting, along
with Matthew Bugg's sound, evoke a real sense of a late Egyption summer afloat
the Nile.
A diverse collection of characters embark on a
journey of love, money and class conflict that inevitably leads to murder, intrigue
and the reassuring final confession. Unlike the film, staring Peter Ustinov as
Poirot, the play doesn't contain the infamous Belgium detective. Canon
Pennefather, faultlessly played by the superb Denis Lill, adopts the role of
crime solver on this paddle steamer.
One by one the passengers board with Kate O'Mara adding
light relief to proceedings as the self-centered, Miss ffoliot-ffoulkes (who
will be delighted to see the correct lack of capitals in her surname!). She is
accompanied by her Scottish neice, Christina Grant, played by the delightful
Jennifer Bryden, who is pestered by the seemingly 'classless' William Smith,
notably performed by the very talented Max Hutchinson. Susie Amy is brilliant
as the glamorous and wealthy, Kay Mostyn, honeymooning with her new husband
Simon, played by a company regular, Ben Nealon. The arrival of his spurned
lover, Jacqueline, passionately portrayed by Chloe Newsome, causes tensions on
deck that have deadly repercussions! The remaining cast of characters are
perfectly played by Mark Wynter, Vanessa Morley, Sydney Smith and Hambi Pappas.
Despite his undeniable, high-profile directing
credits, Joe Harmston's stage direction is poor in places, with basic
stagecraft being ignored, for apparently no good reason. The cast of
experienced actors compensate for this through their performance and the result
is a thoroughly enjoyable evening of mystery and mayhem. Murder On The Nile
runs until Saturday.
