Review: MURDER ON THE NILE at Dolphin Theatre

Opening this Friday at the Dolphin theatre, is another classic mystery thriller from Agatha Christie. The Queen of the Whodunnit would be extremely delighted with this beautifully executed entrancing vision of the classic crime of passion.

Director Emma Love has made the most of Christie’s wise and witty dialogue that needs to be realistically delivered to draw us in. Congratulations to all the cast, and the director, for the natural delivery, and realistically paced, well-modulated 1930s dialogue. Vocally contrasted characters and detailed physicalisation create skilful variations of diction, accents, movement and delivery.   Especially outstanding characterisastion and resonant vocal delivery from seasoned and consummate professionals David Charteris as Canon Pennefather and Susan Hargraves as extremely self-centred, self-indulgent, elegant, wealthy and snobbish Lady Helen ffoliot-ffoulkes.                    

Canon Ambrose Pennefather is a key character in Agatha Christie’s stage play. This is an extremely challenging role superbly handled by Charteris.  Not only does Pennefather manage Kay's financial affairs, but when Agatha Christie adapted her 1937 novel Death on the Nile into a play in 1942–1944, she removed Hercule Poirot entirely; as she was "tired of him" at the time. She replaced him with Canon Pennefather, a character specifically created for the stage version to act as the primary detective. Canon Pennefather is the uncle and much loved guardian of the wealthy and entitled heiress Kay Mostyn (Jorja Stevens). He is a wily, sometimes manipulative clergyman who admits to following Kay to Egypt to oversee her marriage and honeymoon, claiming it was for her own good.

Despite its classic “static” nature, and heavy reliance on dialogue to develop characters and provide clues, the play’s narrative moves quickly (thanks to a superbly designed set) and the numerous characters serve a range of purposes:  most of them to provide possible suspects. Those conversational scenes highlight suspicion rather than physical action.  Who could be responsible for the murder? Simon Mostyn (James Calverley) the charming but oh so weak-willed and very recent husband?  Kay’s devoted Best Friend, beautiful and passionate Jacqueline de Severac,          (Viola Ember ) scorned and rejected, and now a jealous stalker?  The obviously envious, somewhat defensive and flirty French maid, Louise (Donna Verey)?  Sweetly naïve and innocent Christina Grant, Helen’s niece, (Steph McIntyre) a nice girl who seems to exist only to be of service to her unreasonable aunt, but still attracts the attention of “Mr Smith” (Jonathan Gabriel),much more worldly and confident than his common name presumes.

There’s the accented foreigner Dr Bessner (Arthur Young)…  Despite all innocent appearances, he is more than possibly the criminal!  Xenophobia was prolific in these war torn years!  I started doubting even the least likely – McNaught,  the ship’s captain (Ollie Baker) and the ship’s steward (Aldar Batomunkuev).  Each and every role were precisely executed, every little detail and nuance contributing to the play’s mystery, authenticity and truth.

The setting on the bow of a cruise ship on the Nile is more than effectively captured. Entrances and exits are effortless and varied and the action flows with energy, pace and intention. Absolutely outstanding lighting design and execution (George Everts) convinces us we are not only travelling along the Nile, basking in its blue skies, but also witnessing glorious sunsets and evening beauty. Both shadows and focused highlights cement the  tension. After all, everyone is trapped and no one can escape.  And people keep getting shot! And - surprisingly, wonderfully witty touches of humour provided by the extreme vanity of Lady  Helen ffoliot-ffoulkes  (Susan Hargraves) contrast delightfully to the tightly-winding tension and conflict.

Consistently superb performances from experienced actors,  attractively costumed, with imaginative set design, precision staging and well-lit, this is a show well worth viewing.  So many twists unfold in this love enriched tale . We are kept guessing – right to the final closing scene. No spoilers here!!

Do get along and be entertained!  

The play runs May 1 – 16.

Book online at https://nz.patronbase.com/_DolphinTheatre/Productions/2601/Perfromances

Glenda Pearce.