Reviews of The Spider's Web
San Diego Theatre Scene Review
26 April 2009
by Hitch
Spider’s Web entangles Coronado Playhouse stage
Agatha Christie is an institution. She has written 80 detective novels, many featuring Hercule Poirot or Miss Jane Marple. Her collected sales total approximately $4 billion. Only the Bible has sold more copies. Her books have been translated into at least 56 languages. Did you know she wrote romances under the name Mary Westmascott? It’s a wonder that she had time for two husbands . . . well both were philanderers. Her The Mousetrap opened at the Ambassadors Theatre in London on November 25, 1952 and is still running.
Therefore, in an extended community of over three million that has around 40 theatre venues and approximately 100 production companies, every season has at least one Agatha Christie production. This year Coronado Playhouse has mounted Spider’s Web under the direction of Keith A. Anderson.
Rosemary King’s set is move-in perfect. Dale Goodman’s light design is crisp and Sound Designer Nate Bergquist set the mood for the play. Mary Anderson and Jane Russell, as well as the cast, created the right look through their costuming. And no Christie play would be complete without an array of props as were furnished by Patty Fay. Connor Terry’s tech operation appears flawless. We have Vanessa Dinning and Brian Terry for the dialect training of the actors. For the most part they were successful.
Spider’s Web opens quite properly with Sir Rowland Delahaye (Martin White) and Hugo Birch (Bud Emerson) in a conversation over a proper wine. It isn’t long thereafter when the plot thickens with Clarissa Hailsham-Brown’s (Jessica Seaman) discovery of a very dead Oliver Costello (James Steinberg in his shortest role ever)
James Steinberg as Oliver
photo by Brian Terry, which she immediately hides, aided by her guardian, Sir Delahaye and Birch with the help of Jeremy Warrender (Frank Godinez).
Clarissa’s family, husband Henry and daughter Pippa played by real life father daughter Brian and Diane Terry get entangled into this growing web of deceit. The suspect list increases with the introduction of gardener Mildred Peake (Amanda Everett) and butler Elgin (Eric Hedberg). Could the butler have masterminded this heinous crime? It’s all up to Inspector Lord (Leo Walker) and Constable Jones (Stephen McLaughlin Sr.) to stumble through. No, I’ll not be crass and reveal the culprit.
This reviewer readily admits that he has seen just about all of Agatha Christie that he cares to see. In this production, the cast appeared to have fun with the play. They give a good rendition of this classic. The total experience was pleasurable. Spider’s Web varies from Christie’s usual formula just enough to have some enjoyable twists. The ensemble successfully challenges the audience in the discovery of who-dun-it.
Spider’s Web runs Thursday to Sunday through May 24, 2009 at Coronado Playhouse, 1835 Strand Way, Coronado, CA. For reservations call 619 435-4856 or go to their website at www.coronadoplayhouse.com. Why not make an evening of it. There are lots of fine restaurants in this lovely location just across from downtown San Diego
San Diego WriteWay
2 May, 2009
Review by Peggy Lips-Kaz
Agatha Christie fans are really enjoying this production of Spider’s Web. A surprise to the audience when I went, was a substitution in the list of characters due to an illness. Now this isn’t the case of an understudy finally getting “the chance of a lifetime”. It was a change in a role from Mr. Elgin, the butler, to Mrs. Elgin, his wife and cook. The other characters in the play had to adjust their dialog for this new creation. Wow, what a superb job they all did. The part of Mrs. Elgin was played by the talented Executive Director, Mary Anderson. Bravo, Mary-you were great !!!
For me, Agatha Christie’s stories seem to start slowly, yet, set the foundation of the plot. The second act really changes the pace. There is a dead body, with too many suspects, and a confession along with many red herrings. By the time it was over the playgoer had figured out that everyone had a motive for killing the body, and all were guilty. You see, if you hadn’t been paying attention in the first act, you would have missed all the hints that solved the crime. In her plays you get lulled into a comfort zone and then, wham-there is one of those dry English jokes, and all of a sudden, you are laughing.
Jessic Seaman as Clarissa
and Diane Terry as Pippa
photo by Brian Terry
All the cast was wonderful. Diane Terry, a ninth grader, did a real good job with her role. It is encouraging to see talent in a young lady. Amanda Everett is one of the dramatically funny characters as Miss Peake. For me, the highlight was Jessica Seaman as Clarissa. After the show, I talked to Jessica about the role. She said,”It is the best role for an actress to ever play. It was so much fun. I loved it.” Clarissa is a true Drama Queen. So much so that no one believes her when she is telling the truth. This is particularly troublesome when she is interrogated by the police Inspector. So whodunit ? Go see for yourself.
"I love you, Clarissa!"
L to R: Jessica Seaman (Clarissa) and Frank Godinez (Jeremy)
Photo by Andrew Rogers
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