"The Rule Of Three" by Agatha Christie.

Bonington Players.

Bonnington Theatre, Arnold.

This triple bill of one act murder mysteries combines the light hearted comedy "Afternoon at the Seaside", in which a detective attempts to recover a stolen priceless emerald necklace and the culprit who stole it. Christie writes comedy very well but this is probably the play that is as unlike Christie as you're going to get.

"It’s not your costume Miss. We’re broad minded here, not like some beaches. You see, there has been a robbery and the Inspector here thinks – er – something may have been put in your hut".

This line itself could have come from a "Carry On" film, but shows what a fine writer of comedy double entendre Ms Christie was.

There are some brilliant characters here, and I did not guess who the thief was; as always, it's the one that you have at the bottom of your list who did the deed. A middle class couple, a mummy's boy and his overpowering mother, the man who sits on the beach with his suit on, as well as his hat, reading the newspaper, a flirty couple, a man who has a wayward beachball and a mother with a child - although we don't see the child - but we definitely hear the mother!

There's also a young French lady who attracts all the attention from the men on the beach, especially in that bikini. And then there's the policeman and the man who monitors the beach and looks after the deck chairs. So who could be the necklace thief?

Wayne Hill (Bob Wheeler), Abigail Hemmings (Noreen Somers), Christian King (Arthur Somers), Phil Chapman (George Crum), Kerry Williams (Mrs Crum), Genevieve Price (A Mother), Luke Richardson (A Young Man), Eddie Januszczyk (Beach Attendant), Zoe Lander (Mrs Gunner - who has more apron strings than a whole season of "Bake Off"), Mike Luczynski (Percy Gunner - the wonderfully under the thumb son of Mrs Gunner), Helen Holbrook (The Beauty) and Chris Gardner (Inspector Foley).

A brilliant cast who performed this little seen Christie gem brilliantly.

A great set consisting of three brightly coloured beach huts with appropriate names, a beach telescope, deck chairs, sand, shells and an atmospheric soundscape which really made you feel as if you were beside the seaside, beside the sea.

"The Rats", a dark and chilling tale in which a pair of adulterous lovers, Sandra and David, find themselves lured to a flat, trapped like rats and framed for murder. I kinda guessed what this was all about, and who was behind this little mystery at one specific part of the play - I won't say where and when and who, just watch carefully. There's also a lovely red herring thrown in just for a Christie confusion!

Yet another excellently cast play with Abigail Hemmings (Sandra Gray), Rose McArthy (Jennifer Brice), Christian King (David Forrester) and Helen Holbrook (Alex Hanbury).

The set is simple and effective with a couch, drinks cabinet, telephone stand and a decorated box of some kind. Drapes indicate a set of French windows.

And finally, "The Patient", a tense thriller in which a woman has been hospitalised after a terrible accident. The Patient, known as Mrs. Wingfield, has been horribly injured in a fall from her balcony. Unable to communicate, it could have been an accident, attempted suicide or worse still a cold-blooded killer bent on murder. As relatives gather round her hospital bed the tension builds as an ingenious device helps Mrs. Wingfield convey a message that could solve the mystery.

Another excellent cast consisting of Kerry Williams (Lansen), Rose McCarthy (Nurse), Wayne Hill (Dr Ginsberg), Phil Chapman (Inspector Cray), Chris Gardner (Bryan Wingfield), Zoe Lander (Emmeline Ross), Eddie Januszczyk (William Ross), Anna Hodkin (Brenda Jackson) and Carol Hill (The Patient).

All three in this triple bill have been directed by Anna Hodkin, who ensured that the comedy elements sat well among the more chilling sections. Pacy and well presented.

The three separate sets were designed by Tony Tomlinson; from the picture postcard seaside scene to the quite science fiction style set up, all three were excellently designed and constructed.

I must also credit Stage Manager, Luke Richardson, Deputy Stage Manager Nigel Kenton, and assistants Eddie Adams and Alex Brimelow for the entertaining and regimented scene changes between "The Rats" and ""The Patient".

Throughout this triple bill there were excellent light operation by Peter Hodgkinson and sound operation by Nick Hill. Designed by David Goatham.

Anna Hodkin's and Sheila Millington's costumes were brilliant as well as appropriate for the three very different storylines.

This is yet another smash hit production from Bonington Players with an excellent cast, who by the way dealt with Agatha Christie's way of writing in a smooth and natural method of delivery.

Agatha Christie fans as well as theatre fans will love this. In fact anyone who loves brilliant entertainment will love this production.

"The Rule Of Three" is at The Bonington Theatre until Saturday 21 October.