Two modern stars take on the roles of a legendary writer and movie star in a comedy thriller about to receive its world premiere in York.
York Theatre Royal
Sat Feb 18-Sat Mar 4 @ 7.30pm, matinees Thurs 2pm; Sat 2.30pm
£12-£30
Nichola McAuliffe plays crime author Agatha Christie, tangling with Susie Blake as film favourite Margaret Rutherford in Murder, Margaret and Me at York Theatre Royal.
In the early 1960s the ‘queen of crime’ and ‘the funniest woman alive’ were brought together to make the Miss Marple films. These went on to be a big success but were very nearly never made.
Christie didn’t want Rutherford to bring her fabled spinster to life. For her part Rutherford was mortified at the prospects of sullying her reputation with something as sordid as murder.
Shocking secret
Murder, Margaret and Me is the story of the real reason why the acting legend didn’t want to take on the role that made her celebrated across the world. Margaret and Agatha form an unlikely friendship filled with afternoon tea and gossip.
Meanwhile Agatha turns detective herself as she becomes determined to unearth Rutherford’s tragic and shocking secret.
Nichola and Susie are joined by Andrina Carroll as The Spinster, who narrates and leads the story, while bearing a certain resemblance to Miss Marple. Andrina replaces Indira Joshi, who had to leave the production for personal reasons.
This production is part of a year-long programme of work put together by an all-female panel which aims to redress the imbalance in women’s roles in both theatrical work and the industry as a whole.
‘I’ve never read an Agatha Christie book’
Nichola McAuliffe has been starring on stage and screen for many years. She played the Duchess of Cumberland in lavish ITV drama Victoria, but many will remember her as Sheila from seven series of Granada’s comedy Surgical Spirit.
Susie Blake made Britain hoot as the sarcastic continuity announcer on Victoria Wood As Seen On TV in the 1980s, and played Bev in Coronation Street from 2004 to 2006.
They kindly agreed to answer a few probing YorkMix questions…
Nichola McAuliffe
Which Agatha Christie character would you most like to be and why?
Who are the women actors you love to watch (present company excepted)?
What is the best thing about coming to York?
If you could commit the perfect crime, what would it be?
What are the challenges of ‘becoming’ Agatha Christie?
Susie Blake
Which Agatha Christie character would you most like to be and why?
What is the best thing about coming to York?
If you could commit the perfect crime, what would it be?
What do you think is the secret of Margaret Rutherford’s enduring appeal?