Agatha Christie inspired show staged in Moray by Out of the Darkness Theatre Company
Agatha Christie was the inspiration for a theatre company’s latest production – Death on the Spey.
It was the third whodunnit in a trilogy by the Elgin-based Out of Darkness Theatre Company (ODTC).
The well-received show was a clever mix of live theatre interspersed with filmed sequences explaining the back stories of some of the key characters.
Inspector Poirot was played by Garry Collins, the group’s irrepressible creative director, who solved a series of murders with the help of his nephew Mini Poirot and the ebullient Inspector Japp, w sailed up the River Spey.
Emma Harrison from ODTC said: “Our production took us on a non-stop whirlwind tour around Moray as we filmed our multimedia scenes in iconic locations such as Gordon Castle, Spynie Palace, Craigellachie Bridge and the Ladyhill Monument”.
“Our members also designed, built and painted the set, made the props and costumes, operated the lights and sound, did the media and devised extra material for our interval bonus features.
“It was a sensational performance, creating wildly eccentric characters that were mesmerizingly to watch. I am so incredibly proud of them.”
Highlights included Shane Simpson as the rambunctious author Salome Otterbourne, Simon Dunbar as the treacherous Simon Doyle, and Abigail O’Grady as the zealous Jacqueline DeBellefort.
Long standing staff member Martin McAuslang not only built the set, but dazzled the audience with his elegant portrayal of wealthy heiress Linnet Ridgeway.
The cast were supported by the amazing backstage and tech crew, including two interns from the Career Ready programme who had joined ODTC over the summer from Elgin Academy.
All three performances were sold out with tickets “going like hot cakes”.
ODTC members and staff will be back with an adaption of Sleeping Beauty for their Christmas Pantomime to be performed mid-December.
