Kris Weber's World of Theatre

THE UNEXPECTED GUEST by Agatha Christie
Presented by Mitcham Repertory group
Directed by Christine Grant
Reviewed (September 13) by K.E. Weber
Cast: Gordon Hodges, Shirley Welch, Glenn Hunt, Natalie Irvine, Justin Batchelor, Sandra Fowler, Robert Schneider, David Guthrie-Jones, Howard Proctor, Laurie Green.

Dame Agatha Christie - the Queen of Crime - has written many works, including 78 crime novels and 19 plays. Her most famous play, The Mousetrap, is still running in London, and has been since 1952! Ingenious twists of plot, colourful characters and masterful surprises are her hallmarks, and although some of her work is now dated, The Unexpected Guest, is still standard Christie.

After having his car forced off the road late one foggy night, Michael Starkwedder stumbles across a country estate. He enters by way of the study and finds the body of Richard Warwick slumped in his wheelchair and a women hiding in the shadows. Laura Warwick is holding a gun and confesses to the crime. Michael Starkwedder engineers her alibi and is thereby drawn into the murder and the household. Some confess and some are accused, but it isn't until the police become interested in young Jan Warwick, that we finally learn the truth. Or do we?

Richard Warwick's study was nicely realized by Mitcham's set designers and construction team. It was wonderfully spacious, complete with animal trophies, (Richard Warwick was a hunter before becoming an invalid) appropriate furnishings of the time, and a highly effective backdrop depicting the garden just outside the study doors; however, I did feel the colour scheme too modern - heavier wood and a darker hue would have been more suitable for a ‘man's domain' of the day.

A clever and professional piece of staging was achieved by the placement of Richard Warwick (Gordon Hodges) in his wheelchair long before lights up. Atmosphere was also appropriately mysterious as torchlight and disembodied voices flitted across the darkened stage on opening. The production, under Christine Grant's direction, was tight and well-paced and movement was clean, however, I found accents and some performances bewilderingly inconsistent.

Howard Proctor (Inspector Thomas), Laurie Green (Julian Farrar) and Robert Schneider (Henry Angell), while looking their parts, made no attempt at accent - sadly losing some credibility because these characters did not seem quite at home within the world of the play. They were also, by varying degrees, never more than superficially connected to their characters, and I was therefore generally unconvinced. Natalie Irvine (Miss Bennett) seemed to have some problem retaining her accent but was otherwise effective - although Miss Bennett might have been a little more underhanded in her scene with Jan, I think.

David Guthrie-Jones gave his character a lovely mix of humour and country savvy and was really just right as Sgt. Cadwallader - his enjoyment of his task was obvious and contagious. Justin Batchelor did a great job as Richard's simple-minded half brother, Jan. Movement and energy level coupled with a lovely sense of playfulness made this character particularly interesting. Sandra Fowler was generally sound as Mrs. Warwick, although I did feel some consternation regarding Mrs Warwick's walking stick. Was it a mere prop or a real requirement? I wasn't convinced of either.

Shirley Welch was perfect as Richard's not so long suffering wife, Laura. Her performance was measured and beautifully precise, doing well to control some of the more melodramatic moments inherent in the work. Also, her accent and vocal attributes (which were outstanding) were well-suited and consistent. Glenn Hunt, too, was smooth and in control at all times, capturing the glibness and cool charm of Michael Starkwedder most satisfactorily. His timing, accent and movement were also flawless and his well-modulated speaking voice was an auditory pleasure.

Although accent work did need a firmer hand (not always easy in non-professional theatre, I know) overall, a fine interpretation of a Christie classic.