THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. By Agatha Christie, adapted for the stage by Mark Shanahan. Directed by Alan Swerdlow. With Alan Committie, Graham Hopkins, Dianne Simpson, Dean Goldblum, Sharon Spiegel Wagner, Brett Krüger, Sarah Wolhuter Mary-Anne Wright, Louise Saint Claire, Michael Richard, Mike Huff and Russel Savadier. Theatre on the Bay.
KAREN RUTTER reviews
Agatha Christie’s twisty locked room mystery, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, is 100 years old this year, but you’d never say so. In this contemporary stage version – writer Mark Shanahan wrote it in 2023 – the narrative is fresh and fully engaging, with a sprightly energy driving the pace. It also helps that this production boasts a combination of youthful and veteran actors, deftly driven by a sure-handed director. Although it’s set in the 1950s, the action could as easily be happening now.
Alan Committie heads up the cast as the whimsical detective Hercule Poirot – no doubt a daunting role to take on, with its pedigree of stage and screen stars including Kenneth Branagh, David Suchet and Peter Ustinov. But phew, does Committie nail it, from his accent to his body language. It’s a masterful performance, and an absolute joy to experience. But it must be said, he is matched in stature by Graham Hopkins as his co-lead, Dr James Sheppard, who while playing a quintessential British gentleman vs Poirot’s Belgian cop, holds his own throughout. It’s a wonderful pairing of actors.
Everybody rises to the occasion
But the rest of the cast also make the most of their (sometimes eccentric) characters, from Russel Savadier as the blundering Inspector Raglan to Michael Richard as the blustering Major Hector Blunt, Dianne Simpson’s deliciously gossipy Caroline Sheppard and Louise Saint-Clare’s tipsy Gertrude Ackroyd. Everybody rises to the occasion, even with smaller parts.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is a typical Agatha Christie thriller in some respects, featuring a collection of interesting individuals who all have something to hide. In this case, the scene is set in King’s Abbot, a fictional, quaint English village. But clearly all is not as copacetic as it seems, as the play opens with news of a suicide, which is swiftly followed by a murder. Blackmail is a part of the plot, as are secret romantic liaisons. Luckily, this is the very village that so-called “retired” detective Hercule Poirot has made his home, hopefully to start gardening. Luckily, because when murder come a-calling, Hercule is our man with a mission – to solve the case.
Job well done
An elegant, authentic-looking set transported the audience straight into Christie’s world, while the ensemble cast clearly relished every moment on stage. Their chemistry and impeccable timing made for an immensely enjoyable evening, keeping the audience intrigued, entertained and guessing until the very last scene.
Director Alan Swerdlow can rightfully feel chuffed with a job well done. And no, I didn’t work out whodunnit until right at the end, which is all part of the fun.
What: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Where and when: Theatre on the Bay from 16 July to 16 August 2026
Tickets: Webtickets
Where and when: Montecasino Theatre from 21 August to 27 September 2026
Tickets: Webtickets
WS
