"Towards Zero" by Agatha Christie and Gerald Verner.

Lace Market Theatre

Originally a novel, this is an adaptation that Agatha Christie wrote, collaborating with Gerald Verner, in 1956 for the play. It has all the trademarks you would expect: a remote country house populated by a group of characters with troubled histories, a sudden death, and a detective following a series of clues until all the suspects are gathered in the drawing room for the culprit or culprits to be revealed.

The setting is Gull’s Point in Cornwall, the home of wealthy widow, Lady Tressilian, and her companion Mary. Her ladyship is being visited by her former ward, Nevile Strange, his young wife Kay, and his ex-wife Audrey as well as their friends Treves and Latimer and a relative, Royde.

I'm never much good at spotting the murderer, and yet again I failed to guess whodunnit!

Linda Croston plays Camilla, Lady Tressilian. If you imagine the Dowager from another period piece, you get the idea of what this character is like. I actually didn't spot that it was Linda right away due to the clothes and the make-up etc. Walking with a stick, Camilla didn't look to have the energy to commit murder, but looks can be deceiving, can't they? But who and why might this elderly lady want to get rid of one of her guests if she is the murderer?

Michelle Smith plays Mary Aldin, Lady Tressilian's faithful companion who was worn to a frazzle on that fateful evening and retired to bed early-ish. So it couldn't have been her committing a murder, could it?

Luke Willis plays Neville Strange, her Ladyship's devoted ward who had come to visit with his new wife, Kay, fully knowing that his ex-wife, Audrey, would be there. He'd have enough on his mind with his wives, so he couldn't have done it, could he?

Olivia Jewell, making her debut with the Lace Market Theatre, is Kay Strange, the newer model of Mrs Strange. Ok, Lady Tresillian wasn't that fond of her ward's choice of woman, and this previous Mrs Strange seemed to bear no ill feelings toward Kay. Kay was a bit jealous of her husband's attention to his ex. Could one of these three be the intended victim, and if so, who could the murderer be?

Iona Willingham is Audrey Strange who seems to be over Neville's divorcing her to marry Kay, but as previously stated, bore no ill feelings to either her ex, or his new wife, or is she playing it cool. Surely Kay's insecurities couldn't erupt into murder, could it?

Jack Leo plays Ted Latimer, a friend of Kay's who has come to Gull's Point as an invited guest. He's got a bit of a crush on Kay, as we discover later in the play. Does anyone else know about this crush, enough want him out of the way, or could he be there to make sure that he gets his girl, eliminating the competition?

Peter McQuilkin plays Thomas Royde, a man of few words. Why is that? Is he keeping schtum about why he is there? Surely no one has any beef with this quiet, private man. Love Peter's accent by the way.

David Hawley plays Mr Mathew Treves, a former solicitor, and therefore has an interest in murder. Now, it's not uncommon for Christie to make a lawman the bad guy is it? Could Treves be wreaking for revenge for something in one of the other character's pasts that we don't know about? Or could he be the intended victim? Once a solicitor, always a solicitor!

So, these are the possible murderers, but one of them could also be the victim. With Agatha Christie's sneaky writing skills though, you just know that things are never quite as straight forward as you first think, and there's bound to be a twist or two. or is there?

Trying to untangle the evidence, which at first seems heavily weighted towards one person is Gareth Morris as Superintendent Battle, and his nephew sidekick, Inspector James Leach, played by Reiss Jones. They have the murder weapon still with blood and hair attached, along with fingerprints and a blood-soaked item of clothing, plus a positive motive. Oh, how simple it would be if that were the case!

Directed by Helen Sharp, she kept us guessing right to the very end scene as to who the murderer was. I guessed someone else and even concocted the motive and was convinced that I was correct, but I wasn't. I love Christie's plays on stage due to the twists and the tension created, and Helen maintained that tension throughout.

The Lighting Design and operator is by Allan Green, who nailed it as usual, and also created a realistic thunderstorm with lightning that actually looked like lightning.

Sound Design by Gareth Morris and operated by Darren Coxon. From thunderclaps to seagulls and a section at the end that painted pictures of the escape of the murderer offstage. Plus, the obligatory murder/mystery creepy music. Loved it.

The set is marvellous. As you look out through the French windows you picture the sea topped with clouds. The windows were sash windows, the record player, complete with a selection of 78 rpms, the fireplace, the sofa, the decorations, the pictures and the whole feel of the room just transports you back to the early 1950's, almost as if you'd stepped through the theatre doors and into a time machine. Hugh Philip was the Set Designer.

And if the set didn't take you back in time to the glamour of Downton Abbey, then the costumes, make up and wigs certainly would. What absolute style for everyone, and many costume changes as well. Loved Neville's suits and also Latimer's striped jacket and bow tie, and oh, the glamour for Camilla, Audrey and Kay.

A couple of new faces in the cast which are always very welcome to any theatre group, and fitted in well with the longer serving members.

It's quite a wordy script, and there were a few prompts, but opening night will bring a certain level of nerves, so can be forgiven. And after all, that's what a prompt is there for.

A stylish production with a stylish cast, and who doesn't love a good murder/mystery? So many questions, but can you work out the answers and solve the murder? It's a mystery to me.

"Towards Zero" has sold out for the entire week but it may be worth getting your name down on the list at the Lace Market Theatre, just in case anyone can't make it and a ticket becomes available. You never know!