Latest Footlighters Mystery Play is 'Unexpected'

By Darcie Flansburg
Real Critics Editor/Publisher

It is always enjoyable seeing an Agatha Christie play at the Redlands Footlighters Theatre. Not only are the plays well executed, but it is also amusing to hear the audience hum with suspicions and conjectures as the plot continues to twist and turn.
As would be expected of an Agatha Christie play, "The Unexpected Guest" is, well, unexpected. When Michael Starkwedder (played by Sean Green) has an accident with his car he walks into a house in search of a phone and instead finds a dead man. But Richard Warwick (played dead by Robert Spleen) was not the most noble gentleman during his life, which means that every family member, servant and recent visitor in his mansion has a motive for his murder.
Agatha Christie plays tend to have a great deal of front-loaded exposition. This means that right after the body is discovered at the beginning of the story two or more characters spend a good 10 minutes or so explaining a very complicated back-story in which every character is a suspect.
Amanda Vroom physically fit the part of the lovely Laura Warwick, wife to the late Richard, but her performance was a bit monotone especially during the exposition of the play, which killed the pace early on. She definitely portrayed the part of distraught wife well, but she showed no passion toward her lover nor did she reciprocate the flirtation from Starkwedder. Her performance exuded an emotional chorus consisting of one note.
Sean Green was very suave as the unexpected guest Michael Starkwedder. Though his British accent was faulty and his passion for Laura was unrequited, Green did a good job of being the dark horse who drove the action of the play.
Grant Markin was perfect as the poetic Sergeant Cadwallader. His accent was on point and his quirky qualities were well timed and well executed.
Ian McLean played the mentally challenged Jan Warwick with great authenticity. His character elicited love and compassion from the audience and later dire concern.
Sally Norton was excellent as Mrs. Warwick. Her stage presence reminded me of recent films of Queen Elizabeth; She was strong yet gentle, loving yet sensible. 
Thomik Deverien was very natural (and creepy) as the head servant Henry Angell. Deverien was ever present in his portrayal of Angell and moved with purpose; he portrayed a very proud and confident man despite his station.
The ensemble, as a whole, was strong, and well lead by new Footlighters Director Christopher Diehl. Despite the slow going exposition at the start of the play, the ensemble kept up the pace through the end of the show, which, of course, entails an ending that is entirely unexpected.
The cast also included Paige Polcene as Miss Bennett, Todd Paul Brown as Inspector Thomas, and Mike Barbin as Julian Farrar.
Set Designer Phillip Gabriel created a great ambiance with the set. The single room emanates grand luxury, alluding to the magnificence of the rest of the unseen mansion.
The Redlands Footlighters Theatre always produces well executed mystery plays and "The Unexpected Guest" is no exception.

"The Unexpected Guest" runs through May 30 at the Redlands Footlighters Theatre. Visit www.redlandsfootlighters.org for details.