Youngsters at the Hemel Hempstead Theatre Company are turning the clock back with a classic whodunnit for their spring production, which goes on stage next week.
Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced, on stage at the Boxmoor Playhouse for a four-night run starting next Wednesday, February 28, is a case for Miss Marple, who has to unravel the mystery after a newspaper announcement predicts a forthcoming killing. Everyone thinks it’s a prank – until the lights go out and the body is discovered.
Producer Lewis Dowling says whodunnits are a great way for young performers to learn the ropes. “You have to learn a lot of complicated background if you’re going to play the part convincingly, but once you’ve learned that you’ve fought half the battle of learning your character’s motivations and mannerisms,” he says.
“We’ve done A Murder Is Announced before, with the adults, so it felt right to rejuvenate it with the youth. The fact it was a period drama makes it a little harder, but we thought they were up to it.”
Tickets are £10 and £8, with concessions available, and you can reserve yours by calling 01442 234004 or visiting www.boxmoorplayhouse.co.uk.