St George’s Community Players Present a Unique Production
Morpeth St George’s Community Players will perform Agatha Christie’s Murder in the Studio later this month at the Church Hall, offering a distinctive theatrical experience.
A 1950s Radio Play Revival
The production features three short plays originally written for radio, all set in the 1950s, combining to form the complete Murder in the Studio. Lena Walsh, the director, explained the concept:
“When we were looking at the possibility of what play to do next, I put forward a suggestion that we do a radio play which I had been involved with before and knew how it worked. Everybody seemed quite keen so we found Agatha Christie’s ‘Murder in the Studio’, which is actually three short plays – each one a murder!"
Innovative Staging and Sound Effects
The actors will perform on stage holding scripts and using multiple microphones to portray their characters, collaborating closely with the sound effects technician. Lena added:
“The actors are on stage with their scripts and portray their parts using the several microphones and work as a team with the effects person who creates all the sound effects. Appropriate microphones have been fashioned by one of our team.”
Cast Engagement and Audience Participation
The cast includes many who have not acted recently. Emphasis is on vocal performance and accents to bring various roles to life. The setting recreates a 1950s radio studio atmosphere, inviting the audience to join as a “studio” audience:
“We are setting it in the 1950s when people did listen to plays on the radio. The audience will be our ‘studio’ audience and invited to participate by applauding when necessary and respecting the ‘on air’ sign when it shows.”
Summary
This inventive staging of Agatha Christie's classic combines nostalgia with collaborative performance, highlighting voice and sound to immerse audiences in a 1950s radio play experience.