A new play exploring Agatha Christie’s real-life mysterious disappearance is coming to the city.
The play, titled Murder Margaret and Me, is written by Philip Meeks and directed by Bryony Weaver and will run at the New Venture Theatre in Brighton from May 15 to 23.
The story centres on the life of world-famous crime fiction writer Agatha Christie, particularly the circumstances surrounding her unexplained disappearance in the 1920s, creating a countrywide hunt for this real-life thriller from the ‘Queen of Crime Fiction’.
In 1960, for tax reasons, Christie had to sell the rights to some of her books to MGM, who decided to film a few of the Miss Marple titles. The author was upset, particularly with the casting of Margaret Rutherford for the role of Miss Marple.
Murder Margaret and Me, set in Elstree Film Studios, speculates on the possible conversations between Christie and Rutherford, from frosty beginnings to increasing intrigue as Christie senses a secret Margaret Rutherford might be keeping from her adoring public.
The plot thickens as Christie, turning into the detective she created, tries to unravel this mystery, possibly to use it as material for a new book.
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The play promises to delve into the individual secrets of both the characters, attempting to beg the question: how much is a creative person willing to sacrifice for fame and success, and how much of this can truly be called their own?
The play comes with a content warning that it has references to murder and suicide.
Tickets, priced at £12 (£10 for NVT members), can be purchased online at ticketsource.co.uk/newventuretheatre/murder-margaret-and-me/e-ovdalv.
Audience members are politely asked to be at the theatre at least 15 minutes before the play’s commencement.
Evening shows will start at 7.30pm, while a matinee will be held on Sunday, May 17, at 2.30pm.
There’s no evening performance on Sunday and Monday evenings.