By Linne Marsh
Brigham’s Playhouse welcomes you to the exotic Nile, where not everything is idyllic as it seems. Agatha Christie, the queen of mystery, weaves a thought-provoking tale of mystery in Murder on the Nile. It is a production with a twist you will never guess.
In 1938, Kay Ridgeway, a wealthy socialite, blessed with beauty and a charmed life, embarks on a honeymoon with her new husband, Simon Mostyn. On the voyage down the Nile, fatal circumstances erupt when the exotic vacation is shattered by a brutal murder. Each of the passengers aboard the ship becomes a suspect, as most have a reason to kill. Tension builds as the shocking truth is revealed.
The moment you set foot in the theater, the play begins. You are greeted by the cast who happily take your ticket and show you to your seat while already in character. Brigham’s Playhouse is an intimate theater so every seat in the house offers a great view of the stage. Although it is on the smaller side, the theater exudes a historical elegance and a coziness that makes you feel close to the cast.
Brigham’s Playhouse also has a claim to fame that other theaters don’t: Red Barn. That’s right. Some incredible concessions are associated with this show: Gourmet Popcorn, cookies, brownies, and the crème de la crème, Chocolate Cake. Do yourself a favor and purchase the five-dollar treat ticket before the show. You will not be disappointed. (Get the cake. It’s amazing.)
The play opens with the bead seller (Gloria Morin ) pushing her wares on the passengers of the Lotus. I was impressed by the reality of her representation of the role. I spent a couple weeks in Egypt, and it made me smile to remember the markets in Cairo. Michaelah Ort as Christina Grant is so sweet and naïve in her role. I wanted to reach out and save her from a savage social moment she is forced to endure. Kay Mostyn (Heidi Lee ) and Jacquiline De Severac (Crystal Loralee ) delight in their roles as protagonist and antagonist. You can almost taste the animosity between the characters. Simon Mostyn (Dale Hoopes ) delivers a genuine performance as Kay’s husband, and Rex Jones (Smith) is a breath of fresh air as the comic relief through a trying circumstance. I also applaud Lorie Olsen (Louise) and Mason Hardy (Dr. Bessner) for their talented ability to maintain accents throughout the performance. They did not slip. Olsen even spoke a lengthy bit of French.
Each character plays an important role, and they could not do this without the incredible costumes. Costume Designer Tina Forsyth outdid herself. I loved each costume change and would even wear some of the dresses the characters used in this production. I couldn’t wait to see what type of dress the woman characters would be wearing for their scenes, especially the more elaborate evening scenes. Also, the women’s hairstyles–half up curls, chignon, and French twists– are on point. The women’s costumes and hair are so elaborate, I felt bad for the men. The men do look amazing in their respective costumes, but you can only do so much with suits and ties. The men are dashing, and the woman are glamourous. The costume choices enhance the unique characteristics of each passenger on the ship. For example, Smith in his newsboy cap and vest contrast effectively with Simon’s suit and tie, providing an important distinction in their characters.
Director Anna Beck makes excellent use of the stage by having the characters move frequently, filling up the space. Even with the full cast on the stage, it never felt crowded. Much of this can also be attributed to the spacious set design. However, I do wish more of the characters cheated out, so we see the character’s reactions from most of the seating in the theater.
Set Designer Tonya Christensen breathed life into the Lotus cruise ship by creating a scene design that simulated a luxurious observation deck. It comes complete with windows and plush settees, chairs, tables, and even a bar. The scene does not change, nor does it need to because the story is dynamic enough to happen in one room.
I rather enjoyed the creative direction by Lighting/Sound Designer Mason Hardy. He keeps the technical portions simple. The subtle use of lighting to indicate night and day combined with minor sound effects of birds and the prayer call help transport the audience to the environment of the Nile.
I’ve been sworn to secrecy, so I am not going to reveal the killer. That would ruin all the fun. In the theater lobby, you can cast a vote for who you think is the killer, but you will probably be wrong. I bet a slice of cake on it. Come discover the killer at Brigham Playhouse’s Murder on the Nile! Get yourself a ticket to the latest mystery in Southern Utah.
Brigham’s Playhouse presents Murder on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Brigham’s Playhouse, 25 N. 300 W. Building C1 Washington, UT 84780
October 11- November 17, 2018, Thursday-Saturday 7:00 PM, Saturday 2:00 PM
Tickets: $17-$23
Contact: 435-251-8000
Brigham’s Playhouse Facebook Page
Murder on the Nile Facebook Event
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