A Victorian house. Twelve visitors. One murderer. “Whodunit?”
A large bay window, striped and floral wallpaper, chandeliers, and picture frames. It’s the 1950s in a small English village. Fifty-something Letitia Blacklock is hosting friends and family on Friday the 13th, when the guests receive news of a scheduled 6 p.m. murder. Curious, everyone gathers around waiting … waiting for the unknown … the inevitable … or, certainly, it’s a joke.
Agatha Christie’s “A Murder is Announced” is performed by Elizabethtown College Theatre. Everyone is a suspect, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats asking “Whodunit?”
Christie’s novels are known for repeatedly appearing detectives: Miss Marple, a key character, in “A Murder is Announced,” is an elderly, busy body, who pries into places one shouldn’t pry, said Michael Swanson, associate professor of theatre and director of theatre and dance.
As Miss Marple and Inspector Craddock develop the case, they struggle to unveil the murder’s motives. Little evidence is revealed, and information is unknown about the first victim, Swanson said. “The family all have secrets in their past and alternative reasons to be in the house,” he explained. “There are four young people with questionable connections to Miss Blacklock, one of whom is a writer who may be working on his first mystery.” It’s a battle of truth and illusion.
“Agatha Christie is classic English, quick witted, dry English humor,” said sophomore Jade Bartlett, who portrays Miss Blacklock. There are several dynamic English pauses, typical of classical English mysteries, and the cast has been hard at work crafting the style of humor in sarcastic tones enjoyable for the entire audience. Junior Taylor Luckenbill, playing Miss Marple, added that Christie’s work never disappoints, always leaving a gasping audience.
Luckenbill described Miss Marple as curious, quirky, energetic, intuitive, and genuine. “I love that she is so in-your-face noisy, but it’s so sweet, no one cares,” Luckenbill said. “She gets in trouble, finds out things she shouldn’t, yet everyone loves her. She’s a loveable grandma with flair and attitude.” Luckenbill described the challenges of being 21 years old and playing a 73-year-old woman. “I don’t know what it’s like to be 73, I needed movement coaching,” she said. In previous roles, Luckenbill played more serious character, while Miss Marple is comical.
Bartlett described her character, Letitia Blacklock, as a classic, old, English lady. “My character is the house wrangler,” Bartlett said, adding that a lot about her character and others are revealed as the plot progresses.
This play absolutely makes you feel multiple things … intellectually teases you, makes you laugh; you feel like a part of it.”
An additional Blacklock guest is the Hungarian housemaid, played by senior Alexandra Yastishock. She provides a comedic element to the production, always thinking the cops are out to get her, Bartlett said. Meanwhile, Julia Simmons, Blacklock’s niece, is a sarcastic character, played by junior Wendy Moulton. She and her brother, Patrick, played by first-year student Nicholas Loschiavo, tend to have a lot of disputes, Bartlett said. Additionally, Dora “Bunny” Bunner can be a little senile and forgetful, Bartlett said. “Bunny” is depicted by junior Rebecca Boia.
All student actors for this production are theatre majors; however, this is not a requirement for on-campus productions. The cast includes actors from all years, as well as five first-years, four of which are debuting in their first full-length production.
Additionally, several members of the cast portray elderly individuals and have worked on perfecting aged mannerisms and body posture. The cast has received this training from Theresa Mastrobuono, adjunct faculty member, who created the fall performance “A Comedy of Terrors.” The actors also have worked on dialect, as classic British accents will be used.
“The play is aesthetically nice,” Bartlett said, noting the production’s team effort. She commented that the set and costumes really paint the scene. The set is the work of Richard Wolf-Spencer, assistant professor of theatre and technical director, and the traditional costumes are courtesy of guest artist, Jen Dasher. “Some of my favorite costumes are in this play,” Bartlett said. Also, Luckenbill commented on the dedication of the tech crew, noting that they often work even later than the actors.
Interestingly, Swanson has been directing theatre productions since 1974, producing approximately 60 shows, yet this is his first murder mystery. “I like a new challenge,” he said.
The two-hour performance, jammed pack with action, is “intriguing,” said Bartlett. “It keeps you on your toes. If you enjoy things like crime show and ‘whodunit?’ this is a great show,” Bartlett said. “I love this play; I was on my toes the entire first time I read the script.”
“This play absolutely makes you feel multiple things … intellectually teases you, makes you laugh; you feel like a part of it,” Luckenbill said. The performance does not break the fourth wall and interact with the audience, but those in attendance are part of it; the audience participates in their minds, she said.
“I believe everyone will have their own theory [of who did it],” Bartlett speculated. “It’s a great ride to go on.”
Performances are at 8 p.m April 10, 11, 12, 24, and 25.; and at 2 p.m April 27 in the College’s Tempest Theatre. Tickets are $6; call 717-361-1170 or email boxoffice@etown.edu.