MURDER, MARGARET AND ME Plays FringeNYC, Now thru 8/22

Murder, Margaret and Me will have its North American Premiere as part of the 2014 New York Fringe Festival. Written by award-winning writer Philip Meeks, the play is a one-woman show performed by Janet Prince, who has received universal acclaim for her interpretation of British acting legend Margaret Rutherford. It is helmed by British crime novelist and director Stella Duffy.

Murder, Margaret and Me tells the secret story of Margaret Rutherford, "the funniest woman alive" as she prepares to tackle the role of Miss Marple in the iconic series of British movies that became word-wide hits during the sixties. Miss Rutherford wasn't keen to play this part and the "Queen of Crime," Agatha Christie, felt less than comfortable placing her cherished spinster-sleuth in her hands. But despite these reservations, the pair formed a friendship, and as this friendship flourished Christie turned detective herself to unearth the tragic and shocking secret behind Rutherford's troubled past.

After critical success and a sell out run at the Edinburgh Festival in 2012, the production was offered a short run at the Ambassadors Theatre in London in the summer of 2013 to coincide with the 60th Anniversary of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap which was and still is playing at St Martin's Lane Theatre next door. Following her run in Murder, Margaret and Me, Prince went on to join the cast of The Mousetrap and her husband, Stephen Frost, was cast in the final British ITV episode of Poirot alongside David Suchet.

The production is a one woman tour-de-force with actress Janet Prince bringing to life Margaret Rutherford and Agatha Christie in a compelling physical, vocal, and emotional performance. Prince is a regular face on British television and has worked extensively in London theatre.

Playwright Philip Meeks won a prestigious Scotsman Fringe First Award last year with his play "Kiss Me Honey Honey!." at the Gilded Balloon. He returns to the Edinburgh Fringe this season with the World Premiere of his new play "Keeping up with the Joans" produced by Greenwich Theatre at the Pleasance. He has written extensively for British television.

Stella Duffy is an acclaimed director, writer and performer and appears regularly in British media as a commentator on many topics. Her latest novel The Purple Shroud was published to great acclaim last summer. She is the creator of the cult crime books featuring female detective Saz Martin and she recently provided the introduction to the Folio edition of the complete Miss Marple short stories.

Murder, Margaret and Me is written by Philip Meeks and directed by Stella Duffy. Scenic design by Cherry Truluck; sound design by Martyn Duffy; and lighting design by Martin McLaughlin.

Murder, Margaret and Me is part of the New York Fringe Festival, with performances taking play at Venue #3: Abrazo Interno at the Clemente, 107 Suffolk Street. Individual tickets are now available for $18 and can be purchased online at www.fringenyc.org, in person at FringeCENTRAL (114 Norfolk Street), or at the venue 15 minutes prior to performance.

Performances are:

· Today, August 9 at 1:30PM

· Sunday, August 10 at 4:30PM

· Friday, August 15 at 8:15PM

· Monday, August 18 at 5:30PM

· Thursday, August 21 at 4PM

· Friday, August 22 at 7PM.

The New York International Fringe Festival (FringeNYC) is the largest multi-arts festival in North America, with more than 200 companies from all over the world performing for 16 days in more than 20 venues.