Perfect for all lovers of theatre Who-dunnits?, Agatha Christie’s masterpiece “Murder on the Nile” opens at the Crescent Theatre, Birmingham, on Saturday 5th April. Quirky characters (nearly all with hidden secrets), a brilliantly conceived twisting plot full of clues and red herrings and a glorious set which transforms the Crescent’s huge stage into an exotic Nile paddle steamer of the 1930s all add up to the perfect theatre experience. Not to mention the challenge to solve this classic mystery!
The plot revolves around Kay Ridgeway, who has led a charmed and much-spoiled life. Blessed with beauty, enormous wealth, and a new husband, she embarks on a honeymoon voyage down the Nile. Fatal circumstances await when the idyllic surroundings are shattered by a shocking and brutal murder. Under scrutiny is a multitude of memorable passengers, each with a reason to kill.
Unusually, “Murder on the Nile” does not include the “little Belgian”, Hercule Poirot. When she embarked on writing this play, originally entitled Hidden Horizon, Agatha Christie had become tired of being ‘a slave to Poirot’ and having to find stories to involve him and feed the public’s appetite. So, unravelling the mystery on board this doomed paddle-steamer is left to Canon Pennefather (played by Crescent stalwart Colin Simmonds), one of a 12-strong cast bringing to life Christie’s mischievous character writing. Needless to say, there’s more to Pennefather than meets the eye!
This production of “Murder on the Nile” has been directed and designed by Colin Judges, who last year celebrated his 50 year involvement with the Crescent. This is his 89th set design and uses the whole of the Crescent stage to create the observation lounge of a 1930s Nile paddle steamer: a wonderfully panoramic view of the world outside but the sense of being trapped that is essential for a murder thriller.
It’s an element that is essential in creating a full theatrical experience for audiences who, as Colin Judges explains, “come with an expectation”. He has set out to achieve for them a “Good old-fashioned proper set. Perhaps the steamer has been refurbished and I’ve tried to capture both an art-deco feel and an Egyptian vibe.”
Audiences will see that he has indeed achieved that and created the perfect claustrophobic environment in which the mystery unfolds – and, as director of the show too, has ensured that this is gimmick-free “classic Christie”. As always with Agatha Christie, exactly how the dastardly deed is done turns out to be ingenious and audiences will thoroughly enjoy trying to guess before all is revealed.
It’s great, high quality entertainment and to book just visit www.crescent-theatre.co.uk or call 0121 643 5858.