Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Philip's Commentary On

Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie

GUILTY OR INNOCENT

Scene: The Central Criminal Court, London – better known as The Old Bailey

Clerk of the Court:  Leonard Vole, you are charged on indictment for that you on the fourteenth day off October in the county of London murdered Emily Jane French.  How say you, Leonard Vole, are you guilty or not guilty?

Leonard:   Not Guilty.

When:  Monday, August 11 & Tuesday, August 26 at 7 pm
Where: Room 9
What: Witness for the Prosecution by Agatha Christie
Who: UUCPA Thespians
Why: To be surprised when we find out whodunnit.

Reading an Agatha Christie mystery for the first time is sort of like listening to Haydn’s Surprise Symphony for the first time.  At the symphony you sit comfortably in your seat enjoying the orderly procession of melody and harmony when suddenly that last chord is repeated fortissimo and you nearly jump out of your seat.  At the theatre you sit comfortably in your seat enjoying the orderly procession of the plot and the well-crafted dialogue between the well-rounded characters when suddenly a new witness appears or a new fact comes to light and you have to instantaneously change your projection as to where the plot is  heading.

The play is neatly divided into three Acts.  In Act I we meet most of the characters and find out about the murder.  Act II is the trial and ends when the jury retires to reach a verdict.  Act III isn’t quite so neat, and I don’t think I should say anything about it.  Except that there are still 4 pages left when the jury delivers it’s verdict – don’t rush for the exit!

There are lots of parts, but many of them are easily combined, so we can be flexible.  But it would be nice to balance the attendence between the two readings, so I’d appreciate your letting me know (email thespians-info@uucpa.org or call me) which night  you prefer.  We start promptly a 7 pm.  Of course we’ll still try to accomodate walk ons if they are on time.

Philip Hodge, Chair.