Murder On The Nile

Agatha Christie is known to every man and his dog, as she should be. She wrote over 70 best-selling novels and the longest running play ever. This play follows many of her traits where at least one murder occurs and the readers or viewers try to solve the murder/s.  This time everything occurs on a cruise ship going up the Nile River. The cast of eleven make up the guests and various crew members and the murderer has to be one of those who survive the killings. Naturally, in a Christie play, things are never what they seem to be and this kept the audience enthralled to the end.

The play began so well with the arrogant Miss ffoliot ffoulkes played by Linda Morgan who maintained a high standard throughout. Director Sharon White has brought her vast experience in directing Christie plays to bring this intriguing play to life with a well balanced cast and good movement. The action took place in the one cabin lounge area – or so I thought. The trouble started when Simon Mostyn, played by Matthew Hobbs, dropped his lover Jacqueline de Saverac (Philippa Dwyer) to marry her friend Kay ( Samantha Herde) as she was extremely wealthy. Another critical member of the story was Canon Pennyfather, who was also Kay’s guardian. In this role, John Mann needed to show a little more movement even when giving his advice. There was no weaknesses in the rest of the cast, which led to a good end product. I did like the bit of French from Louise.

Nash Theatre has made doing a Christie play an art form with Sharon White maintaining their high standard. Naturally, I was wrong in choosing the murderer/s, but I am not so in saying well done indeed.

William Davies