A Murder Is Announced

Kelly Jobanputra checks out the classic Miss Marple mystery at the Wyvern Theatre

 

Wyvern Theatre, Swindon

Tuesday 12 - Saturday 16 April 2016

Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd is delighted to present a lavish new production of a classic Miss Marple mystery, A Murder is Announced. 
 

The residents of Chipping Cleghorn are astonished to read an advert in the local newspaper that a murder will take place this coming Friday at Little Paddocks, the home of Letitia Blacklock.
 

Unable to resist, the group gather at the house at the appointed time, when the lights go out and a gun is fired. Enter Miss Marple, who must unravel a complex series of relationships and events to solve the mystery of the killer…

 

 

Review of A Murder Is Announced

by Kelly Jobanputra 

Most of us would like to think that we could solve a murder mystery when presented to us in the form of a play but the truth is that the plot of 'A murder is announced' has a surprising and entertaining conclusion.

There were lots of audible gasps that came from the nearly fully packed house of the Wyvern Theatre last Tuesday as this Miss Marple classic mystery drama came to an end and the real murderer was revealed.

 

The residents of Chipping Cleghorn are worried when they read an advert in the local newspaper that a murder will take place this coming Friday at Little Paddocks, the home of Letitia Blacklock. The information reads: “A murder is announced and will take place on Friday, October the thirteenth, at little Paddocks – at six-thirty p.m.” They are all petrified and on edge and many of them gather at Letitia's house at the mentioned time to feel safer in each other's company. As expected. when the clock strikes six-thirty, the lights go out and a gun is fired (three times in quick succession).

Middle Ground Theatre Company Ltd is behind this star studded production, which has one of the most detailed and realistic sets that has ever graced the stage. The character of Miss Marple, who is played by Judy Cornwell, is rather humorous and expectantly embarks on a mission to unravel a complex series of relationships and events.

 

 

Judy Cornwell is well known for the popular character of Daisy in TV sit-com Keeping Up Appearances, and Diane Fletcher, who plays the main part of Letitia, was Elizabeth Urquhart in House Of Cards. TV credits for other members of the cast include The Bill, Doctors and Eastenders and the level of acting really is of a very high standard.

 

The only problem was that the start of the performance was a bit hard to hear and had some people craning their necks forward to hear the lines. However, this was very soon rectified and the production went off without a hitch.

 

Whether you are a fan of Agatha Christie or not, this murder mystery drama will have you on the edge of your seat.