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| Christopher Kelly & Helena Ruoti in THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. Credit Rocky Raco. |
With a cast of 12 and an elaborate and elegantly appointed set
by Johnmichael Bohach, Kinetic Theatre’s latest production is admittedly the
largest and most expensive in its illustrious history.
Unfolding with superb detail at Carnegie Stage is a stage
adaptation by Mark Shanahan of what is widely considered the greatest detective
novel of all time, Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”
Those
familiar with the configuration of the theater’s stage are in for a surprise.
The seating area along the customary side of the space has been moved to the
opposing wall. This gives the stage a much larger expanse on which to unfold
the mystery’s intricate narrative. Bohach does a great job of creating a viable
representation of Ackroyd’s manor house, Fernly Park, occupying the promontory above
the English village of King’s Abbot.
After
the murder of Ackroyd, the slain man’s niece, Flora (Mia Laverne) tries to
enlist the services of renowned but now retired detective , Hercule Poirot (Sam
Tsoutsouvas), who’s taken up gardening and lives in a cottage next to the town’s
doctor, James Sheppard (Christopher Kelly).
Sam Tsoutsouvas & Christopher Kelly in THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. Credit: Rocky Raco.
Tsputsouvas’
Poirot is reluctant to accept the entreaty, but his curiosity overcomes his reluctance.
Grudgingly, he accepts the challenge and enlists the help of Dr. Sheppard as
his assistant in what is much like Dr. Watson’s relationship to Sherlock Holmes.
Most
of the characters have reasons to suspect them as the murderer, including the
relatives, guests and servants. Dr. Sheppard’s sister, Caroline (Sheila
McKenna) appears to be exempt from the list of suspects, due largely to her lack
of contact with the murder victim as well as the absence of a motive to kill
him.
McKenna
is hilarious, by the way, for her colorful character, her gossipy ways and
flighty personality. She brings much humor to the narrative every time she
appears on stage.
Familiar
with Poirot’s personality from past film-watching experiences, I must say
Tsoutsouvas’ take refreshingly entertaining. He’s kept the sleuth’s iron-clad self-confidence
and assurance of his deductive abilities, but also shows a lighter, less serious
intensity than I’m used to.
Be
sure to pay close attention to his act two opening monologue that veers into insights
on murder you might find uncomfortable. His rendition is positively galvanizing
and comes at a time when lighting designer, Andrew Ostrowski casts a darkened,
shadowy mood over the suspects lined up like a string of statues lurking
ominously in the background.
As
Dr. Sheppard, Christopher Kelly plays his role with the calm, cool detachment
expected of a physician. He also serves as the mystery’s narrator, filling in
gaps with tidbits of useful information. Though his character comes off as
analytical and somewhat complex, he’s perfectly cast in a performance you begin
to appreciate as the play moves along deeper and deeper into the mystery.
James Fitzgerald, Brandi Welle, Nai’Ron Arnett, Jandi Linde, Christopher Kelly, Sam Tsoutsouvas, David Whalen, Mia Laverne, & Simon Bradbury Credit:Rocco Raco
Based
on his alpha male persona, Major Hector Blunt (David Whalen), a big game hunter
obviously familiar with violent death, is an obvious candidate for suspicion. He
makes his friendship with Ackroyd feel real but also seems to be hiding a
secret or two under his cocky appearance.
Of
course there’s a butler. and you have to ask your self if he did it. As Parker,
Ackroyd’s lone manservant, James Fitzgerald teases with nuanced possibilities
of his culpability, all the while cleverly never giving away too much in a
remarkably polished performance.
As
Ursula, the obsequious maid, Jandi Linde emerges throughout the play from a starting
point as a minor character to one with a bit more heft and relevance than you
might suppose.
Then
there’s the chief suspect, Ackroyd’s own adopted son, Ralph Paton (Nat’ron
Arnett), whose footprints are found near the murder scene and the one
designated to receive Ackroyd’s inheritance. Wouldn’t it be just like Christie,
I pondered, to have him actually turn out to be the killer?
The
innocence with which Mia Laverne plays the role of Ackroyd’s niece, Flora, makes
it hard to see her as a suspect. Then, too, isn’t she the one who positively
begged Poirot to help solve the case. Like many other characters, she also has
secrets that come out as the play progresses.
One
of Pittsburgh’s most accomplished actresses, Helena Ruoti, delights as the flamboyant
and regal Gertrude, Flora’s mother and Ackroyd’s sister-in-law. Years ago, when
I first encountered Ruoti in a play at the old City Theatre at its former
location in Oakland, I sat up and took notice. She, in my mind, stood out from the
other actors I encountered there. and I’ve been an admirer of hers ever since.
Seeing
her so up-close performing in front of my first-row seat was exhilarating. She
delivers one of the evening’s most percussive moments when she so unexpectedly gives
Dr. Sheppard an impromptu kiss.
With
an all business and no play attitude, Brandi Welle portrays Ackroyd’s
secretary, Helen, who, it turns out, has secrets of her own hidden under her efficient
and ordered life.
Just
as in Sherlock Holmes’ tales, which feature the persistent, yet unimaginative
and somewhat ineffective Inspector Lestrade, Christie includes her take on the
same character type in the form of Inspector Raglan (Simon Bradbury). Often the
butt of Holmes’ mockery of his abilities, Bradbury plays the inspector as oblivious
to Holmes’ disparagement which injects a lot of comic enrichment to the
narrative.
Christopher Kelly & Darren Eliker in THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD. CreditZ: Rocky Raco
Even
the dead man gets his time on stage in a scene before he’s murdered. Darren
Eliker as Roger Ackroyd cuts an impressive figure, so much so that I wished he
had more stage time than he did.
In
play so heavily dependent on pace and clarity, director Andrew Paul succeeds in
getting both from this exemplary group
of actors. Two and a half hours never went by so fast, so interestingly and so
entertainingly. Only a few more performances are scheduled, so grab yourself a
ticket, put on your sleuthing cap and immersers yourself in a truly remarkable
production.
“The
Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” a Kinetic Theatre production, is at Carnegie Stage, 25
W. Main St in Carnegie, through August 30. For tickets, go to kinetictheatre.org/
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