Murder On The Nile At The Crescent Theatre

Murder on the Nile is almost Death on the Nile. Almost, but not quite. For a start, there’s no Poirot. Agatha Christie, fed up with the early film and theatre portrayals of her little Belgium detective as a strapping six footer in need of a love interest, replaced Poirot with the kindly but very astute Cannon Pennefather. Linnet, the beautiful, incredibly spoilt heiress, is now Kay, still married to Simon, but now a Mostyn rather than a Doyle. Other characters have disappeared altogether, and have been replaced/merged for a more streamline cast. So, Murder on the Nile is almost Death on the Nile, the same but somehow different. Yet, as a piece of theatre, it truly works. The setting is restricted to one room throughout, which makes it taut and sometimes claustrophobic. The characters work so well, with the Cannon a standout for the way he pulls information from the suspects. And, particularly in the hands of a talented cast, the eternal love triangle story, with a supreme twist, is one that continues to shock and surprise the audience.

Murder on the Nile is currently showing at Birmingham’s Crescent Theatre as an amateur production, and is well worth a viewing. It is wonderfully staged, with the whole stage becoming the comfortable lounge of a luxurious Nile cruiser. Colin Judges keeps the direction flowing smoothly throughout, using the closed curtain to obscure what really happened.

The cast are all very good in their roles. I particularly enjoyed Colin Simmonds as Cannon Pennefather, he adds real gravitas to the role, and is calmly assured at all times. I also loved the scene stealing Zena Forrest as the wonderfully awful Miss Ffioliot Ffoulkes, a social climbing snob of the highest order. She adds lots of humour to the proceedings and delivers some frankly ridiculous comments with a completely straight face – no mean feat!

The central triangle of Kay, Simon and Jacqueline were all played well by Emily Carle, Patrick Shannon and Annie Swift. Annie, in particular, is very good in her portrayal of a desperate, deserted woman obsessed with both her ex lover and the woman he replaced her with. I also enjoyed the dynamics of the relationship between the downtrodden Christina Grant, and would be Marxist Smith. James Colin Commander and Lily Fox deliver some lovely moments as the (possible) couple, whilst Simon King as Dr Bessner adds to the story as another possible suitor for the kind hearted Christina. Perdita Lawton rounds out the cast as the devious Louise, who has one of the most dramatic scenes in the whole play, and delivers with aplomb.

Murder on the Nile is fine entertainment for lovers of the Dame. Highly recommended.

Murder on the Nile,

The Crescent Theatre, Birmingham

Until 12th April

Click here for ticket information

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