Agatha Christie's Spiders Web, New Theatre (From South Wales Argus)

Agatha Christie's Spiders Web, New Theatre

10:55am Thursday 12th February 2009

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There is no disputing Agatha Christie is the queen of the murder mystery, though she is often criticised for staid and one-dimensional characters.

There is nothing flat or predictable about Clarissa Hailsham-Brown, the heroine of Spider’s Web.

Originally written for Margaret Lockwood at the actresses’ request, the vivacious stepmother with a restless imagination and a fondness for white lies is a splendid character.

Set entirely in a drawing-room, the play sees Clarissa entertaining friends when she receives an unwelcome visit from Oliver Costello, the shady beau of her husband’s first wife.

Blackmail is mentioned and the rotter takes an interest in the rented house’s antique chest of drawers.

When the drawing room is empty the cad Costello breaks in, searching for something. He is then murdered by an unseen hand, and Clarissa finds the body while tidying up.

The culprit is revealed to be someone close to Clarissa. Our heroine ropes in her friends to dispose of the body. Then the police turn up and the farce escalates.

Of course, the open and shut case proves to be anything but, and ingenious twists follow as the plot descends into impenetrable intrigue.

Spider’s Web is Christie playing for laughs.

Melanie Gutteridge is outstanding as the frivolous Clarissa, bagging many big laughs and an enthusiastic round of applause after one particularly well-sustained fit of hysteria.

A great evening’s entertainment and a complete revelation for a non-Christie fan like myself.

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