By Peter Kemp
The 1812 theatre
Spider’s Web
by Agatha Christie
The curtains opened to a magnificent set of an English country mansion lounge room.
Complete with 12 paintings, antique desk, double doors which were put to full use, mystery cupboards and something that 1812 specialises in, off stage are still sets what one can see through the doors.
Sir Rowland Delahaye was portrayed by Roger Paul who caught the essence of a Knight of England, a wonderful portrayal.
Hugo Birch and the Doctor was played by Tim Byron.
Another great performance as one of three visitors to the Hailsham-Brown home.
The third of the three was Jeremy Warrender played by Jonathon Simpson.
Jonathon kept up the standard set by the cast giving a good portrayal of the man who was not quite what he seemed.
Nicola Taylor was the main character, Clarissa Hailsham-Brown.
A wonderful character who occasionally mixed the truth with her own interpretation so when she told the truth nobody believed her.
A good portrayal but one felt the outfit did not fit the period.
Her stepdaughter Pippa was given an excellent performance by Sophie Watson who played as a 12 year old girl. A good interpretation of the character.
The lady gardener Mildred Peake was given a great interpretation by Michelle Zintschenko a surprising role and well done by Michelle.
The butler Elgin, was played by Gaurav Saxena.
Gaurav handled the role as envisaged but one feels his outfit could have been a little better.
The Police Inspector Lord was given a good interpretation by Andrew McAliece, a dominant character who did not quite believe the stories he was told.
The so-called blackmailer, Oliver Costello was played by Mitchell Sholer.
An evil man who frightened Pippa.
A good portrayal.
Henry Hailsham-Brown, the husband of Clarissa and father to Pippa was played by Miller Shettoch.
He was a member of the Diplomatic Corps and had a mysterious meeting that night and missed the goings on.
A nice portrayal Constable Jones was portrayed by Tim L. Chellerhos.
A good portrayal.
The 1812 Theatre gave its opening play for 2025 an interesting and wonderful evening of theatre.
