Exquisitely presented Art Deco production

EXQUISITE: Kirsty Daly (left) (as Anya Hendryk), Sarah Findlay (Lisa Koletzky) and Rick Hayes in a well presented version of Agatha Christie's Verdict.

Verdict by Agatha Christie
Directed by Nanette Wright QSM
Produced by Napier Repertory Players
16 February to 4th March Napier Little Theatre McGrath Street Napier
Reviewed by Amanda Jackson

Verdict is the 2017 Art Deco production from Napier Repertory and it represents, with meticulous perfection, the era.

Everything; the set, the dressing of the set, the costumes, the colour scheme, the hair and every prop, screams authenticity.

None of the flapper, feathers, sequins and bobs, but all the structured, classy, coiffured style and elegance has been sourced and is presented with integrity.

Hats off to Nanette Wright for direction and set design, and to Andy Sinclair for construction and John Pryce for décor. The depth of the stage is used to its maximum and adds a wonderful dimension to be explored by the cast.

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.