REVIEW: A Murder Is Announced
Image: Photo: Homepix Photography
A Murder Is Announced, adapted from the classic murder mystery novel by Agatha Christie is a whodunnit with enough twists to keep you guessing and in suspense right up to the very end.
Set in the drawing room of the Little Paddocks Victorian cottage in the village of Chipping Cleghorne, England, an ad appears in the local village Gazette which announces that a murder will take place on October 5 at 7pm in Letitia Blacklock’s cottage.
Written in 1950 and made into a TV mini-series in 1985, the plot is typically Christie and with 11 characters in all, they are a distinct and well-rounded crowd that congregate in anticipation of the event….but one of them is secretly the murderer.
Of note are main character Letitia Blacklock, lady of the house, in her 60s, cute old lovable Dora Bunner (Bunny), her childhood friend, the comic Mitzi, her Hungarian housekeeper/cleaner, apt to histrionics and of an explosive nature, the legendary Miss Jane Marple as sleuth and the constable and his detective both dressed in outdated suits.
There is also a lot of smoking in A Murder is Announced, an old fashioned phone, a prim and proper biddy with a penchant for wearing hats and gloves, points to a bygone era. It will be of special interest to fans of the genre who like to stay in on a weekend watching ABC TV murder mysteries.
What is most special about this performance is the venue. The Genesian Theatre crowd are a really festive bunch. It’s community theatre, in one of Sydney’s oldest, housed in a beautiful church in Kent Street that gives you a sense of belonging.
Until Jun 24, Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 4:30pm. The Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney. $25-$30 Tickets & Info: www.genesiantheatre.com.au
Reviewed by Mel Somerville.
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