Max Mallowan (left), Agatha Christie, and Leonard Woolley in 1931. Photo / The British Museum
Max Mallowan (left), Agatha Christie, and Leonard Woolley in 1931. Photo / The British Museum
If only Agatha Christie had known she would become the centre-piece in Hamilton Playbox Theatre’s production of The Mysterious Disappearance.
Christie (1890 - 1976), was a renowned writer of crime novels and sold more literature than any other works in English outside of the Bible and Shakespeare.
Recently, American playwrightKirt Shineman used the real-life novelist as the centrepiece in his work, The Mysterious Disappearance.
Playbox director Graham Pollard lives in Hamilton and works for local government in the Coromandel.
He had his introduction to the theatre as a child in the UK - and was called in at the last moment.
”The original director withdrew and Playbox needed a director urgently, so I volunteered. I put my hand up. It was a good opportunity for me.”
Casting began in early April, Jo-Ann Pass took the part of Agatha, Rosalind is Jenny Parham, the parts of Archie and Billy by Danny Bailey and Mary and Tony by veteran local actors Maria Eaton and Nick Clothier.
His biggest challenge, Pollard said, was ”fine-tuning the characters”.
”We have a really experienced cast but it was a case of moulding them.
“For instance, Jo, who brings a lot of experience acting in the UK and Australia, is tasked with playing a woman [Christie] - twice her age.”
Shineman’s production is set inChristmas 1975 as Christie is working to finish her autobiography and a final novel before the new year.
Playbox director Graham Pollard and actress Jo-Ann Pass who will play Agatha Christie in The Mysterious Disappearance.
However, she is also fixated on an event in her past when Nancy Neele stole her husband.
With Mary Westmacott’s help, they contemplate what it would be like to kill Nancy.
Even though Agatha considered murdering Nancy, did she really do it, or is her reality disappearing? That is the question posed.
Shineman’s recent productions include The Mysterious Disappearance in Arizona, Good Grief in New York City and Stripping Lord Byron on the Standby for Places podcast.
Meanwhile, Pollard would like to continue his involvement with Hamilton theatre and has his sights set on Playbox’s October production of Allo Allo.
The Hamilton Playbox production of Shineman’s The Mysterious Disappearance runs at Riverlea Theatre from June 28 to July 12.
