While the classic question of the whodunnit is, as the name suggests, ‘who did it?’, Let’s Kill Agatha Christie instead asks ‘who will do it?’. After all, if you are caught in the grips of writer’s block, why wouldn’t you invite your enemies to your house and taunt them into killing you?
The play opens with the precocious Prudence Sykes (Caitlin Clancy) dictating her new novel to her assistant Angela (Denise Kitching). Despite seemingly having published 27 novels, the audience is immediately shown that there’s at least something that is a little weird about Sykes’ writing practice. In come Sir Frederick Belting (Theo Hatzistergos), a man with more money than logic, Marjory Field (Natalie Reid), a newspaper poet who often springs into couplets, and John Hartley-Miles (Bryan Smith), a clumsy movie star arriving for a weekend away. The trio find a manuscript threatening to reveal more than each of them would like the public to know, and so, a plan is hatched.
Genesian Theatre’s Let’s Kill Agatha Christie plays out within an entirely grey room. Everything from the pictures in the frames through to the flowers in the vase are shades of grey. Whilst this could feel muted, the decisions made by Director and Set Designer Gregory George instead make the rich jewel-toned costumes designed by Susan Carveth pop on stage. The audience later finds out that the grey room may be another of Prudence’s eccentricities as her guests are placed in the yellow, blue, and green rooms. The costuming and set are further enhanced by the contributions of Lighting and Sound Designer Michael Schell.
Blending mystery and physical humour, Let’s Kill Agatha Christie feels like The Mousetrap meets The Play That Goes Wrong — but make sure not to mention a certain detective author’s name in Ms Sykes’ house! A certain step on the staircase trips up almost every person in the Sykes household, each reacting in their own way. Almost catastrophes and near-misses lead us from plot point to plot point, with each character somehow bringing their own contribution to the ensuing mess. After years of training on crime writing (read: watching too many detective procedurals), I found myself whispering my guesses of future twists to my guest (sorry Mum!). Despite this, a particular twist had me gasping in surprise and kept me wondering how it would all come together in the end.
Anthony Hind’s Let’s Kill Agatha Christie playfully bends the conventions of the murder mystery genre, full of references to classic mysteries balanced with comedic relief leaving you guessing and giggling through to the curtain close. With a stellar cast and strong set, Genesian Theatre’s production makes for a wonderful trip to the theatre.
Let’s Kill Agatha Christie is playing at the Genesian Theatre until June 8.
