Spider's Web, Oxford Playhouse - Review

The Oxford Playhouse is currently hosting the Agatha Christie Theatre Company and their production of Spider’s Web, a comedy thriller from the pen of one of the greatest mystery writers of our times. Spider’s Web, written in 1954, is perhaps one of the less well known Agatha Christie plays, being somewhat overshadowed by the commercial and critical successes of The Mousetrap and Witness for the Prosecution, though this dusted off version should go some way to renewing interest as it tours the UK. That’s not to say that the play isn’t without fault – some of the comedy has dated badly and the dialogue can’t quite shake off its rather stilted, forced joviality that was common at the time of writing. The plot devices also seem a little on the contrived side, and the details of the crime perhaps seem a little implausible and confusing. Having said that, the company do a convincing job at rejuvenating these slightly moth-eaten characters from the 1950’s, giving the audience plenty to guffaw and gasp at as the mystery unfolds.

The cast do an excellent job. Melanie Gutteridge as Clarissa Hailsham-Brown really finds the right balance between ditsy English housewife and deceivably clever amateur sleuth, calling very much to mind Glynis Johns who actually played the same character in the 1960 film The Spider’s Web. Denis Lill is perfectly cast as the no-nonsense inspector Lord, carefully tripping up each character in turn in order to solve the crime, and doing so with real relish. Unfortunately, although billed to play busybody Mildred Peake, Catherine Shipton did not appear on stage and was instead played by an understudy, who in my view just misses the right note of hilarity in her ‘jolly hockey sticks’ characterisation.  (Update: Apparently it was Catherine Shipton who appeared in the play, to which I can only say that I feel a little foolish and that her transformation to old fuddy-duddy was expertly done). Ben Nealon, Bruce Montague, and Robert Duncan are all great fun as unwitting accomplices, as is Michael Gabe as the manservant Elgin. Agatha Christie plays are really to be enjoyed and not taken too seriously, and with stunning set design by Simon Scullion and capable directing by Joe Harmston, Spider’s Web is plenty of fun, with sufficient surprises to keep you on your toes.

Official Website

Comments

[Paul Murphy]

Hello,
Could I please inform you that Catherine Shipton did perform on Monday evening's performance of SPIDER'S WEB.

Could I ask what or who informed you that it was Not MS. SHIPTON appearing.

Thank you

[P.Viktor]

Perhaps you can clear this mystery up for me. I was in the upper circle and myself and my guest just could not work out whether or not it was Catherine Shipton playing Mrs Peake (she seemed a great deal older than the actress) or whether it was just excellent acting/make-up. On our way out, we overheard someone say 'What a pity Catherine Shipton was not on stage', thereby seeming to confirm our suspicions that it was not her.

Could you confirm your sources, as I had meant to call the Playhouse to confirm this?