Review: A Classified Set-up: Richardson Theatre Centre's A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED

A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED

Based on the novel by Agatha Christie
Adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon
Co-directed by Rachael Lindley and Lorna Woodford
Produced by Richardson Theatre Centre

Audience Rating: G
Running Time:  2 hours & 15 minutes, plus 15 minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Performance: Not Available
Production Sound Level: Comfortable Sound Level
Noises or Visuals to Prepare for: black outs, gun shots

Reviewed by Glynda Welch

Who could be calculating enough to announce the time and place of a murder in advance? Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced, adapted for the stage by Leslie Darbon, poses that question. Of course there are obvious suspects, impossible suspects, police, and a stray mystery solver – in this case Miss Marple (Robin Liesenfelt). 

The most hospitable Letitia Blacklock (played with control and charm by Donna McNamara) shares her home with childhood friend Dora “Bunny” Bunner (Ivy Opdyke), distant cousins Patrick Simmons (Jed Carr) and Julia Simmons (Elise Stuart) as well as down-on- her-luck single mother Phillipa Haymes (Alexandra Drago) and maid Mitzi (Kit Phillips). When the morning paper arrives with the classified advertisement stating that a murder will happen at the home that evening at 6:30 it creates quite a stir. No one is more concerned than the easily agitated Bunny. Opdyke embodies the sweet, discombobulated character. Carr, as the suave Patrick, thinks the announcement is a joke, while Stuart’s elegant Julia reacts with dramatic self-concern. Phillips as Mitzi takes advantage of this and every situation to retell stories of oppression from her homeland with constantly changing details. 

Of course, with a public announcement in advance, the neighbors are compelled to drop in. Mrs. Swettenham (Marianna Hess) arrives with her son Edmund (Adam Koch) in tow. Although petite, Hess expands her character into a dominating mother. Even though he towers over his mother, Edmund (Koch) docilely follows her lead except when he is in the company of Phillipa Haynes. Drago’s Phillipa is controlled and difficult to read. Suspect?  Victim?  Innocent bystander? Miss Marple (Liesenfelt) arrives just after the deed is done. If Marple weren’t a continuing character in Christie’s works, the next question would be “or does she?”  Liesenfelt has fun with this character. Inspector Craddock (Alex Bigus) and Sargent Mellors (Robert Sims) are the final visitors. Bigus’ agreeable Craddock quickly accept Marple’s help. 

Co-directed by Rachael Lindley and Lorna Woodford, A Murder is Announced serves up a classic Christie evening for Richardson Theatre Centre patrons. Resident Set Designer Greg Smith is known for using the intimate space efficiently to create beautiful sets. The set dressing by Robert San Juan and Lorna Woodford is elegant. Kenneth Hall’s lighting design worked flawlessly. Rusty Harding provided sound design. Resident Costume Designer Kristin Moore gave us the 1950s English costumes. 

A Murder is Announced continues through March 1, 2026, at Richardson Theatre Centre. Tickets are available online at Richardsontheatrecentre.net or through the box office at 972-699-1130.

Experience Live Theatre

Glynda Welch