A Murder Is Announced
Judi Farr has been confirmed to play Miss Marple in the 2013 Australian Tour of Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced.
Following that preliminary casting, the remaining cast members were announced on Friday June 7.
Joining Judi Farr (in alphabetical order) will be James Beck (City Homicide, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Neighbours) as Edmund Swettenham, as Mrs Swettenham, Carmen Duncan (After The Fall, Another World, Winners and Losers), Robert Grubb (Yes, Prime Minister, MAMMA MIA!, We Will Rock You, The Flying Doctors) as Inspector Craddock, Victoria Haralabidou (Stuff Happens, Thirst, Brides) as Mitzi and Jamie Kristian (Underbelly: Razor, The Bill, The Crucible) as Sergeant Mellors/Rudi Scherz. The lady of Little Paddocks, matriarch, Letitia Blacklock will be played by Debra Lawrance (Home and Away, Evil Angels, The Memory of Water) with Nathaniel Middleton (Bell Shakespeare) as Patrick Simmons, Libby Munro (Venus in Fur, The Bind, All Saints) as Phillipa Haymes, Elizabeth Nabben (Winners and Losers) as Julia Simmons. Capping off the cast will be Deidre Rubenstein (Palace of Dreams, Night Letters, Josh Jarman, Siam Sunset) as Letita’s old friend Dora “Bunny” Bunner.
This new All-Australian production, produced by Michael Coppel, Louise Withers and Linda Bewick in association with Mousetrap Productions Ltd, London, comes by overwhelming demand following the success of the 60th Diamond Anniversary Tour of The Mousetrap, which played to over 150,000 people over its seven month 2012-2013 Australasian Tour.
Producer of The Mousetrap London, Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen said, “The choice of Judi Farr to play the iconic role of Miss Marple for this Australian production of A Murder Is Announced is totally ideal. She embodies all of the qualities of Christie's best-loved sleuth, from the twinkle in her eyes to her dry wit and wry smile. I am very much looking forward to seeing her, and the other actors and actresses, on stage in September."
Of the complete casting, Louise Withers said, “On behalf of my producing partners it is with great delight that we announce the fantastic company of actors for this new, all-Australian production of A Murder Is Announced. With a company comprised of veterans and luminaries from the Australian acting fraternity as well as young actors with bright futures, we look forward to two generations of Australian actors coming together in what is sure to be a stimulating rehearsalprocess as the team bring Christie’s brilliant storytelling to the stage. Our 2012 60th Anniversary tour of The Mousetrap was a labour of love, embraced by theatregoers and Christie fans alike and we’re sure A Murder Is Announced will be just as satisfying and that audiences will embrace the show in the same way.”
A Murder is Announced was the fourth of twelve novels to feature the character of Miss Marple and the first of Christie’s works featuring the “sensibly heeled” sleuth on stage or screen. This 1977 adaptation is by Leslie Darbon who also adapted Christie’s Cards on the Table for the stage. Of the beloved Marple, Christie said “There was no unkindness in Miss Marple, she just did not trust people. Though she expected the worst, she often accepted the people kindly in spite of what they were.”
In advance of commencing rehearsal for the tour, Farr said, “Agatha Christie's iconic sleuth has, over many years, been portrayed by a host of luminaries and for me to portray Miss Marple is indeed a challenge but will be a delight.”
In an English village, you turn over a stone and have no idea what will crawl out. The villagers of Chipping Cleghorn, including Miss (Jane) Marple, are agog with curiosity over an advertisement in the local gazette which reads: ‘A murder is announced and will take place on Friday October 29th, at Little Paddocks at 6.30p.m.’ Is it a childish practical joke? Or a hoax intended to scare somebody? Unable to resist the mysterious invitation, a crowd begins to gather at Little Paddocks at the appointed time when, without warning, the lights go out, a gun is fired and a body falls. It’s clear that this is no game, but with Miss Marple on hand, one of Christie’s best-loved mysteries is sure to be solved.
The 2013 Australian Tour of Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced will open at The Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay on September 27 before transferring to Melbourne at The Comedy Theatre for an October 30 opening.
AGATHA CHRISTIE’S
A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED
SYDNEY
The Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay
September 27 – October 27
Tickets on sale May 31
$75 - $120
Tel: 02 9250 1999 or 1300 723 038
W: sydneytheatre.org.auor ticketmaster.com.au
MELBOURNE
The Comedy Theatre
October 30 – December 4
Tickets on sale May 24
$75 - $120
Tel: 1300 111 011
BRISBANE
The Playhouse Theatre, QPAC
December 27 – January 19
Tickets on sale in August
Images: James Morgan