REVIEW
MISS MARBLE’S LAST CASE
Royal Manor Theatre, Portland
WATCH out, Agatha Christie is probably laughing her head off with this premier production of Stephen Swann’s spoof murder mystery that pokes relentless fun at the ever popular drama genre at which The Queen of Crime excelled.
The action takes place during the 1930s in the library of a posh house where an assortment of guests are gathered, none of whom are what they seem.
A drunken vicar, his quarrelsome wife, a bossy brigadier, and a French bloke in a frock are just some of the weirdos who arrive for dinner where pretty soon the bodies fall like confetti and the silver cutlery gets nicked while the pussycat on the sofa just sleeps on.
The cast of this Royal Manor Theatre production make the most of the silly script with its over-the-top story line where the plot and everyone in it is a caricature of English village life and all its eccentricities.
Under the direction of Jo Mackay and Jo Cheverton, the actors manage to keep a straight face as they deliver their daft lines to the delight of the audience who have not a hope of figuring out who is the dastardly villain of this clever and convoluted comedy that ends with a surprise twist.
The production continues for the rest of the week.
MARION COX
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