The Unexpected Guest - by Agatha Christie
Theatre Royal Windsor and National Tour, 2007

Christie, Taut and Gritty

by Paul Thomas, The Express *****

“This is how Agatha Christie should be dramatised, should be played, should be seen.

Bill Kenwright, in developing his Agatha Christie Theatre Company, has, in one shot from a gun, provided this country with a touring masterpiece of magical actors becoming a family of thrilling dimensions.

Don't underestimate the importance of this single act of Kenwright's. In giving us Christie's own players it adds even more weight to the legend that she is, and always will be for armchair sleuths.

To the play then.

Following on from the success of lasy year's The Hollow, the cast here, under the superb direction of Joe Harmston, gave an eagle-eyed audience of Christie lovers a slick, fast-moving, electricity-charge tour de force of twists and turns designed to keep you guessing.

From the single gunshot in the dark that heralded the start of the drama and immediately captured the shocked attention of an expectant crowd, to the brooding menace of the protagonists who vied with each other to advertise themselves as the killer, this production has us exactly where Christie would have wanted us. Baffled, and on the edge of our seats.

Without giving it all away, Simon MacCorkindale as the unexpected guest arriving to a remote Welsh home to find the murdered body of a former African big-game hunter with the gun still smoking in the dead man's wife's hand, brings a masculinity unfortunately sometimes missing in Christie's somewhat effete art deco period thrillers.

MacCorkindale is one of this country's most understated but virile actors. Perfect for this play.

Menacing, brodding and central to moving the plot along at a pace, his casting was important.

Ex-EastEnder and 'Get me out of here' contestant, Dean Gaffney, for me, almost stole the show... almost, because all were exceptional. But his contribution as the mentally challenged younger half brother of the dead man could have been sent up... it wasn't. Gaffney has proved himself on stage as he did in the Australian jungle last year.

Tracey Childs (The Bill, Dr Who, Hollyoaks, Howards Way) believable as the trusting yet untrustworthy widow, Martin Fisher as a great Inspector Thomas, and Gary Richards as Sgt Cadwallader all superb. Kate Best (Mrs Bennett) nasty (well done, loved it). Eugene Washington as the man servant, pseudo psychiatrist blackmailer, just spot on. Mark Wynter as the probable killer, friend of widow, mixed-up and smitten. Virginia Stride (A touch of spice) a great dutiful mother.

With a set design from Simon Scullion reflecting both the African dark continent above a clinical, remote modernesque country living room that always seemed to be surrounded by fog you have the perfect setting for murder.

And if Christie's grandson, Mathew Prichard, who was there with me on the night, thinks it was 'classic, stylish and tight', who's to argue.

This was astounding Christie, writing at her best and being given the taut touch of gritty realism from Kenwright's cast. Roll on the next production. This is what we have all needed for a very long time.”

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More Reviews

What makes this whodunit a cut above all the others is the treatment given it by director Joe Harmston. He has brought Christie up to date while fully developing her characters.
Tony Flood, Richmond and Twickenham Times

Worth seeing for the opening scene alone. You will not be disappointed!
Theatreworld Internet Magazine

Mesmerising, captivating and chilling… Another triumph for The Agatha Christie Theatre Company.
Maidenhead Advertiser

Classic Christie fare.
Evening Echo

Director Joe Harmston prolongs the tension expertly, never allowing the detailed character exploration to move away from the perennial questions of who, or perhaps more importantly, why one of the cast pulled the trigger.
The Courier, Woking

An ideal play for all the family…. Basically what theatre is all about.
Indielondon

In a refreshingly pacy production, Joe Harmston's crisp direction produces precise, watchable performances.
The Argus

This is a polished, slick and beautifully put together evening of perfectly plotted Agatha Christie – thoroughly enjoyable.
The Malvern Gazette