Peter Hurley allows for the mood and times of the day ably with his interesting lighting design making best use of the shapes and features in the set.
Unerringly lovely costumes added a polished and understated ease to all the characters and the hair styles were the superb.
In all respects, the cast had the hardest job, which was to lift Agatha Christie's play of gigantic wordiness and protracted inaction and deliver an engaging performance which they managed to do because they were well directed and were very strong actors indeed.
The ideas in the play are worthy and an interesting view point is put forward but it lacks the subtlety and editing, those brilliant hallmarks of Christie's other works.
Despite this, there are some extremely good cameos and some excellent performances.
Mikel O'Connell is absolutely charming and endearing as Lester.
His expressions, body language and total commitment to his characterisation were utterly convincing. Adrienne Hurley chose the comic interpretation of the dangerous Mrs Roper and got some laughs and Will Couper captured the mannerisms and manipulative smarm of Sir William well and showed his versatility as an actor in his second role as Policemen along with his boss, the menacing Detective Ogden played by David Davy.
Sarah Findlay, Kirsty Daly and Liv Whyte respectively embraced very strong roles as the lead women. Their accents were good, they looked fabulous and were each powerful and real.
Rick Hayes was exceptional throughout, relaxed and suave, moving well and easily, though perhaps less emotional than expected towards the end. David Moore was perfectly cast, demonstrating a subtle range of responses.
Final verdict - an exquisitely directed and presented Art Deco production of a less than spectacular script by the much loved crime writer, Agatha Christie.
