Confusions

What could possibly go wrong was asked in the play bill for Spider’s Web. It’s a play by Agatha Christie performed at Theatre 3. It’s also described as “Classic Christie” and it fits as Classic Canberra Rep at their classic venue, Theatre 3. This takes me back in so many ways: the School of Arts buildings, art deco and once the first high school in Canberra; the low rise sprawl out the back bu the entrance to Theatre 3; Agatha Christie herself, one of a period, and challenging and jokey in a way that’s also dated; the Canberra Rep, founded in 1932 and with 550+ productions to its credit. There’s a joyous atmosphere in the place, a tiny entrance and an intimate performance space although with a generous stage, rotating to boot although not tonight. The performers are committed, the characters evident, the complexities were clear if tortuous. Suffice to say there’s a dead man found and eventually a murderer identified although any earlier hints at that bypassed me. But that’s the fun of the whole thing and it was fun and it was done perfectly well. Clever stuff if inconsequential. Nothing unexpected other than a murderer.

Agatha Christie Spiders web was performed at Theatre 3 by Canberra Rep featuring, amongst others, Sian Harrington (Clarissa), Adele Lewin (Mildred Peake), Terry Johnson (Sir Rowland) and Leo Amadeus (Inspector Lord) under Ylaria Rogers (Director).