THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD

I love that Theatre 40 in Beverly Hills brings us classic murder mysteries from time to time. And running right now is The Murder of Roger Ackroyd which is adapted from Agatha Christie’s novel, featuring French detective Hercule Poirot, that is considered one of the best tales in history! So I applaud this company for taking it on.

(L-R) Matt Landig, Rebecca Del DSesto, Michael Mullen, and Michele Schultz. Photo by Peter Miller.

There are a dozen people in the cast, so it’s a pretty big undertaking for an intimate theater. But their big open stage is the perfect setting for it. The set itself is yet another brilliant offering from Jeff G. Rack. This play, with all of its various locations, could have been tricky in the hands f a different designer. And the occasional ominous music really adds to the overall atmosphere.

The set. Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the one at the top of this review.

As interesting as it is, this one is missing a bit of the theatre’s productions’ usual je ne sais quoi, (in keeping with the French detective theme, of course.) It really needs to be a tad tighter and quicker. And a lot less wordy. (I believe they’re just sticking to the script from the 2023 adaptation.)

The big cast of twelve has a few actors who stood out for me this time. David Hunt Stafford, (who is also the theatre’s Artistic and Managing Director,) always has the most clear voice anywhere. So it’s a pleasure to listen to his every line. When he speaks, I never once wish I had subtitles for his delivery, as most of us have to do with all of the British TV shows these days!

(L-R) Joe Clabby,  Michael Mullen, Diane Linder, Anica Petrovic, David Hunt Stafford. Photo by Peter Miller.

Michale Schultz, as the narrator’s sister, makes her character the most dynamic. I found-out when I read the program later that she’s the only Brit in the production, and, as a dialect coach, she helped the others with their accents. So this time, I give myself some kudos for feeling she was the most authentic without that prior knowledge!

And Michael Robb as the butler looks perfect for his role! I actually kept thinking that he’s a real butler!

(L-R) Joe Clabby, Rebecca Del Sesto, Caroline Westheimer, Michael Robb, and Michael Mullen. Photo by Peter Miller.

Now I hate to say this, because I know that Michael Mullen has to do a semblance of a French accent as Hercule Poirot, because the character is French, (and a very famous Frenchman in literature at that,) but he is often hard to understand. (It’s not a great accent to begin with.) I don’t know what they can do to fix that situation for the rest of the run, but they should try. Perhaps Michale can help him with it. [Note: I’ve given Michael excellent reviews for his recent past performances, as well as for his costume designing, which he did for this show, as well, but I’m always honest.]

Getting back to the positives, Theatre 40 always captures British shows so well. And any Agatha Christie work is my favorite kind of play.

This production had a nice amount of humor to go along with the mystery, and my friend, Jeanine, told me there are a lot of little touches that she really enjoyed. I always appreciate a show that inspires me to research it, and that’s exactly when I did when I got home. I discovered so much about just how beloved this whodunit is!

So, even if this production is not exactly perfect, I suggest seeing it. The source material is considered a “masterpiece,” even in this modern day. As a matter of fact, the British Crime Writers’ Association voted it the “best crime novel ever” less than a dozen years ago! So what’s not to like?

(L-R) Michael Robb, Caroline Westheimer, Rebecca Del Sesto, Ian Riegler, Anica Petrovic. Photo by Peter Miller.

I absolutely love Theatre 40 because everything about it is easy, including the free right-on-site underground guarded parking. But I have to tell you that it is always freezing in there, (because it’s run by Beverly Hills High School, whose grounds that theatre is charmingly on,) so please dress accordingly. I’m not exaggerating to advise to bring a car blanket. Or two!

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd running through December 15, 2024
Theatre 40  241 S. Moreno Drive  Beverly Hills
310-364-0535 www.theatre40.org