Of “Murder On The Links”, let me begin by saying that I find it's easier for me to solve Wordle in less than six guesses than I was trying to figuring out ‘the who done-it’ in the latest a la Agatha Christie mystery at the North Coast Rep.
“Murder On The Links”, now in a world premiere at North Coast Rep., is based on the 1923 novel by Agatha Christie. It is adapted and directed by Steven Dietz and solved by none other than the clever, mustachioed, Belgian Detective Hercule Poirot, master of unsolved mysteries. His associate, Captain Hastings, who is also the narrator, accompanies him at his request.
The two act- play bounces back and forth with twists and turns at every corner. Twenty characters played by six actors, cleverly disguised by a slight sleight of hand, a quick change of costume, a different hat or wig or cap and of course different accents (French, German and British) makes this fast paced production wiz by faster than one can say Hercule Poirot, and allows the convoluted mystery to keep everyone guessing.
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| Jennifer Erdmann, Jessica Mosher, Kim Morgan Dean and Omri Schein |
Of course, I’m not going to give anything away, not that I could, but I will tell you that Dietz has assembled a top notch group of actors to pull this caper off.
Omri Schein as Poirot, in his orange bow tie, orange pocket handkerchief, pocket watch and double breasted suit (Elisa Benzoni), navigates the pack through all the twists and turns in his inimitable style; hands behind his back and constant pacing while thinking out loud, throwing out hints letting Captain Hastings, (Kim Morgan Dean) looking very smug indeed, pick up on them and carry the ball…until he messes up. And oh, Schein, he’s a perfect as the self -satisfied detective.
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| L to R Jessica Mosher, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Kim Morgan Dean, Omei Schein, Brian Mackey and Jennifer Erdmann |
Jessica Mosher’s foot -prints are all over showing up in different Benzoni costumes and speaking in several accents depending on the clothes she’s wearing. Can she be in two places the same time? This adds yet another layer to the whole complicated business of solving ‘the murder’ of two men found in fresh graves on the links of the French golf course on the fictional Merlinville-Sur-Mer, "a quiet, little place--but chic!", according to " Poirot.
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| Brian Mackey, Matthew Salazar-Thompson, Jennifer Erdmann, Kim Morgan Dean, Jessica Mosher |
And can one actor be more than one character at once? Brian Mackey and Matthew Salazar-Thompson can. Just watch them. Both men are excellent in their respective roles and there are many. As for the women, Jennifer Erdmann and Mosher both take on different characters faster than the eye can see with costume changes, accents and voila, a different player that takes the whodunit in different directions.
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| Kim Morgan Dean and Jessica Mosher |
Marty Burnett’s set reminded me of the ‘Laugh In’ set with small doors on either side of the stage that can be opened from the back to reveal a person, prop or thing, a few tables/desks, and chairs with paneled windows at the back of the set. Composer/Sound designer Robertson Witmer provided the original sound keeping the audience aware that we were in the middle of a mystery solving adventure with added fog horns, bells and whistles. Matt Novotny designed the spot on lighting and shade, Peter Herman’s wigs are an integral part of the character’s persona and Rachel Hengst’s miniature props are outstanding.
As for solving the crime? Half way through the production, I thought I'd leave that to Poirot.
And as for Wordle? That remains to solved.
See you at the theatre.
Enjoy.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through May 21
Where: North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach
Tickets: $54-$65
Photo: Aaron Rumley
Phone: (858) 481-1055
Online: northcoastrep.org
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