Full Steam Ahead for Murder on the Nile
Murder on the Nile at Luther Burbank Center by North Bay Stage Company runs through May 15th.
A theatre patron reports their account of the show: The NBSC production, the original licensed stage play version of Murder on the Nile, better known as the book and Peter Ustinov film Death on the Nile, brings the edge-of-your-seat tale of a murderous couple to a new wave of theatre goers. Murder on the Nile features Angela Squire, Athena Gundlach, Bill Garcia, Caitlin Strom-Martin, Dawn Gibson, Emily Ahrens, Jeff Schmidt, Kelly Hitman, Matt Farrell, Nicholas James Augusta, and Thomas Gibson. Directed by Jeremy Boucher, stage management by Michele Penirian.
On board a steamer, cruising under the scorching Egyptian sun, honeymooners Simon Mostyn and his wealthy socialite wife Kay find themselves being pursued by an old flame of the newly wedded groom. Tragedy strikes and a body is discovered, all fingers point to Simon's ex fiancé. However, everything is not what it seems and holidaying cleric Canon Pennefather is drawn into a web of intrigue and deceit as he finds himself on the trail of a ruthless murderer.
The first half of the show concentrates on character development, revealing to us the back-story between Simon and Kay Mostyn, and their jealous rival Jacqueline de Severac. The second half develops the story – and contains the murder – tensions rise, trust erodes, panic sets in – and we are carried along to the unexpected, and quite sudden climax of the show. Jeremy Boucher's direction makes full use of the 1930ish Nile cruiser set, allowing each of the passengers to reveal just a hint of their character while retaining enough mystery as the cast give memorable performances.
Athena Gundlach is fantastic in the role of Miss Ffoilio-Ffoulkes; an eccentric British spinster who enjoys a tipple or two, giving out perfectly timed one-liners and put-me-downs – proved popular with the audience. Angela Squire portrays the demanding daughter of one of England's wealthiest businessmen and fits the role perfectly, while, Nicholas James Augusta, plays a convincing heartbroken husband following the death of his wife. Dawn Gibson, who portrays of one of Christie’s best-known characters, also brings a great performance. As the reluctant investigator Cannon Pennefather, Thomas Gibson takes the role of a Poirot-like character, Bill Garcia as William Smith and Emily Ahrens as Christina Grant, Matt Farrell as the Bead-seller/McNaught, Kelly Hitman as Louise, Jeff Schmidt as Dr. Bessner and Catlin Strom-Martin as the Steward - all give energetic performances and create an interesting dynamic between their characters. The production proves that Agatha Christie's plot can still intrigue, as the audience was captivated throughout.
Murder on the Nile is performed at Luther Burbank Center for the Arts running through May 15th. Tickets priced at $28 are available online at www.lutherburbankcenter.org or at their box office noon to 6pm daily.
