“A murder is the culmination of a lot of different circumstances, all converging at a given moment at a given point…The murder itself is the end of the story. It’s Zero Hour.”
Every year the Genesian Theatre Company do an Agatha Christie play. This year it is Christie’s 1956 Three Act drama TOWARDS ZERO.
Sir Mortimer Tresilian, a retired Supreme Court Judge, built Gulls Point on a cliff overlooking an estuary in Cornwall. Sir Mortimer is now dead but Lady Tresilian still reigns supreme, inviting old friends and family to house parties.
The play starts with Lady Tresilian hosting her nephew, Nevile, his second wife Kay and first wife Audrey, as well as Thomas Royde, Nevile’s cousin, Mary Aldin, Lady Tresilian’s secretary and Mathew Treves, a retired lawyer and lifelong family friend who lives nearby.
On the morning after the Strange’s arrival it is discovered that Mary has been drugged and Lady Tresilian brutally murdered. Who did the dastardly deed?! We don’t get to know the murderer’s identity until the play’s surprising final scene.
Christie was an ever astute observer of human behaviour and this proves to be the case with this work. What is Nevile on about wanting his new wife to befriend his first wife and for them to spend quality time together?! Hardly the most rational of choices!
Pamela Whalan’s production is a good one, keeping one engaged throughout. The action heats up in Act 2, and as well as suspenseful moments there is room for some humorous touches which the audience enjoyed.
Tom Fahy ‘s set of Lady Tresilian’s drawing room was well detailed. Susan Carveth’s period costumes worked well. Ian Whalan’s lighting and sound design was atmospheric and very effective.
Ros Bilbe played the elderly, still with all her marbles, Lady Tresilian who senses that things are going to go wrong with Nevile’s bizarre arrangement.
Nelson Scott played the insecure, manipulative Nevile Strange who makes the get together uncomfortable for everyone.
Molly Haddon played Nevile’s first, good natured wife Audrey who is more than a bit embarrassed by her exes behaviour.
Thomas Southwell played Audrey’s stern cousin, Thomas Royde, on vacation from his work in Malay and a man of few words.
Amber Wilcox played Lady Tresilian’s erstwhile, caring companion Mary Aldin. Amber was a bit softly spoken. It would be good if she projected her voice a bit better.
Alannah Robertson played Nevile’s attractive, young second wife, Kay who is something of an independent, restless, rebellious spirit and feels she is being ‘played’ and hemmed in by Nevile.
Paul Barbary gives a good performance as lawyer and old friend of Lady Tresilian’s Matthew Treves. It is Mathew’s deductive skills help to solve the crime.
James Sugrue was very credible as the straight shooting Superintendent Battle, Zac Di Ferdinando played his colleague, Inspector Leach and Jessica White was Probationary Constable Benson.
Patrick Gallagher played Ted Latimer, a friend and admirer of Kay Strange’s since he was a teenager.
Verdict. The Genesian Theatre Company always do their Agatha Christie productions well, and this is the case with this production.
Recommended, Agatha Christie’s TOWARDS ZERO is playing the Genesian Theatre,. 420 Kent Street, Sydney until Saturday 12th October, 2019. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sundays at 4.30pm.
http://www.genesiantheatre.com.au
Agatha Christie’s TOWARDS ZERO is playing the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until Saturday 12th October, 2019. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7.30pm and Sunday afternoons at 4.30pm.