Agatha Christie's Spider's Web

A unique blend of suspense and humour come together at the Old Mill Theatre this March in an Agatha Christie play parodying the detective thriller genre.

Directed by Donna Foote and June Richardson, Spider’s Web delivers tension and laughter in equal parts with an intricate plot of murder, police, drug addicts, invisible ink, hidden doorways and secret drawers.

Clarissa, a diplomat’s wife, is adept at spinning tales of adventure—but when a murder takes place in her drawing room she finds it much harder to cope with real-life drama.

Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband arrives with an important politician, she enlists the help of her guests until they are interrupted by a detective.

Spider’s Web was Agatha Christie’s second most successful play, after The Mousetrap.

“It appears at first to be the typical detective thriller play she was well-known for but it’s also a play with comedy,” Donna said. “It’s the only time she incorporated both.

“Comedy is not any easy genre to direct—the adage ‘timing is everything’ absolutely applies to this play.

“The characters are given funny lines but, in delivering those lines or performing sight gags, they have to be timed perfectly or it all falls flat.

“Then there’s the other side of the play, dealing with murders and murderers, and we have to make it all work together.”

Both directors have known each other for 50 years, after originally going to school together.

Donna was previously the State Manager of Musica Viva and has directed with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of WA three times over the past 30 years.

Each time, the show was I’ve Got A Little List, co-written with her musical director husband Andrew.

June was previously a professional stage actor in the UK during the 1980s.

“June and I were originally looking for a comedy play to direct at the Old Mill Theatre,” Donna said.

“But when we came across this Agatha Christie comedy thriller, it was too good to resist.

“It has the tension of a whodunit alongside some humorous characters.”