Tuesday, March 27, 2012

'Murder On The Nile' Review

Malvern Festival Theatre


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.

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