A Murder is Announced

It’s not surprising that in a world obsessed with murder and mystery (just look at a weekly television schedule) that the classics of the genre such as Agatha Christie still remain popular.

What is so surprising is that in a world where storytelling has given way to short attention spans, Agatha Christie’s writing stands the test of time and reminds us of an era when detail and exposition were not such a bad thing.

A Murder is Announcedis the latest such production to be reborn on The Sydney Theatre stage. It has all the hallmarks of a small English village whodunit - long lost relatives, visiting eccentrics and of course plenty of skeletons in the closet. It’s also refreshing to see a robust number of actors on stage (eleven in total), with plenty of healthy roles for women.

In terms of reinvigorating a classic this is not an easy task, as audiences now are more keenly aware of solving a dramatic puzzle than ever. But Director Darren Yap has successfully staged this play in a way that has the viewer curious and interested throughout the entire two acts. It’s quite unusual for the action to elicit audible gasps and reactions from the audience and this is precisely what happened several times throughout the show. 

The entire production is an exercise in the classic murder mystery aesthetic, from Linda Bewick’s beautifully realised drawing room, Suzy Strout’s fantastic costumes and styling, to the lighting, sound and music (Matt Cox, David Tonion and Max Lambert) - all elements combine to create a well-illustrated world where the characters come to life.

Lynne Ruthven and Darren Yap’s casting is solid. Debra Lawrance as the seemingly victimised Letitia Blacklock is fabulous, as are Robert Grubb - the bumbling Inspector Craddock and Elizabeth Nabben’s tightly wound Julia Simmons. But it is Judi Farr as Miss Marple which is a stroke of genius. She is the epitome of all things Marple -  a gentle and unassuming elderly woman with a mind a like a steel-trap. Another standout is Victoria Haralabidou, who’s portrayal of Mitzi, the misunderstood maid adds a much needed comedic element to the overall show.

Rather than sitting in front of the box, digesting the latest episode of Midsomer Murders I suggest you go back to where it all began and get down to The Sydney Theatre.

Whitney Fitzsimmons

Images: Judi Farr as Miss Marple with Robert Grubb as Inspector Craddock;  Libby Munro as Phillipa Haymes holding Elizabeth Nabben as Julia Simmons & company with Miss Marple (Judi Farr) standing over a body. Photographer: James Morgan.