REVIEW: Spider's Web at Worthing's Connaught Theatre

FANS of Agatha Christie are being well served at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing.
By The Newsroom
Published 26th Mar 2009, 11:11 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 00:49 BST

This week, it's been the turn of Spider's Web to weave its magic spell on audiences.

The action centres on a drawing room at Copplestone Court in Kent, and its highly charismatic lady of the house, Clarissa Hailsham-Brown.

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Clarissa (Melanie Gutteridge) has a reputation for an over-active imagination - and this seriously endangers her when she discovers a dead body... hours before her diplomat husband is due to return home with a government VIP guest.

She ropes in her guests to assist to try to dispose of the victim, but only succeeds in pointing the finger of suspicion towards herself.

Spider's Web - which runs until Saturday, March 28 - follows previous productions by the Agatha Christie Theatre Company of The Hollow, The Unexpected Guest and, recently, And Then There Were None.

This is very much a comedy thriller - so anyone expecting a sinister tale will be disappointed.

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But if you like your murder mysteries having a tongue-firmly-in-cheek approach, then this will appeal.

Sir Rowland Delahaye (Bruce Montague) and Hugo Birch (Mark Wynter) combine brilliantly in some hilarious scenes to help Clarissa in her race to unmask the murderer in time.

Denis Lill is perfect casting as Inspector Lord and Ben Nealon impresses as Jeremy Warrender. Catherine Shipton revels in her role as dotty gardener, Mildred Peake.

But it's Melanie - ill-fated PC Emma Keane in The Bill - who is simply outstanding as Clarissa.

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She easily charms her friends - and her vivacious performance has the audience in the palm of her hand throughout.

An excellent set, striking music and an excellent, pacey, plot ... but could the theatre turn the heating dial down in future, please.

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