Overview

Synopsis

In the quiet, little village of Chipping Cleghorn, an announcement in the local newspaper causes a stir among the residents. There is to be a murder in the home of Miss Blacklock that evening! As Miss Blacklock, her lodgers, and curious visitors begin to arrive, tensions mount and everyone wonders if it’s all a silly joke. However, the victim proves to be an unexpected visitor and not Miss Blacklock or one of the villagers at all. With the arrival of Inspector Craddock, a murder investigation begins. Somewhat to his frustration, he is joined by amateur sleuth Miss Marple, who is always one step ahead. They reveal that Miss Blacklock is due to inherit a huge sum of money, but who would stand to gain from her murder? In a classic Agatha Christie tale of concealed identities, desperation, mixed motives, and another death, it takes a risky strategy to uncover the true identity of the murderer.

Show Information

Book
Agatha Christie , Leslie Darbon
Based on the Play/Book/Film
A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie
Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
2
First Produced
1977
Genres
Drama
Settings
Period, Unit/Single Set
Time & Place
A Victorian house in the village of Chipping Cleghorn, England, 1950s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
Concord Theatricals
Ideal For
Community Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Mature Adult, Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast

Context

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Miss Marple

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Miss Blacklock

Lead

Female

Non-singer

Julia Simmons

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Dora Bunner

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Patrick Simmons

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Mitzi

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Phillipa Haymes

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Mrs Swettenham

Supporting

Female

Non-singer

Edmund Swettenham

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Inspector Craddock

Supporting

Male

Non-singer

Rudi Scherz

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Sergeant Mellors

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Songs

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A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Whodunnit

    A mystery plot where the audience follows clues to identify the perpetrator, often used in suspenseful or comedic theatre.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher