Above pic : Jen Manoogian and Simon Pearce in GTC’s The Murder Of Roger Ackroyd
Congratulations to the marvellous Genesian team – the cast of 13 and a crew of 20 The production is hugely fun, from the clever program to the final bow. We all know the famous who-done-it lines: “It’s the butler”, “He’s got a gun” and of course “The plot thickens”. The audience hoots and claps when the classic lines are delivered, adding to the amusement.
Agatha Christie’s famous novel was adapted for stage by American Philip Grecian in 2019 and has since been produced by numerous community and regional theatre companies internationally. The Genesian’s director Ali Bendall with Sandra Bass, have chosen a terrific cast. Peter Allison plays Hercule Poirot, the famous detective (“I’m not French! I’m Belgian”). He is calm when working his ‘little grey cells’ and forceful when accusing the murderer. The other actors are Nathan Moss, Roslyn Hicks, Peter Allison, Peter Hoekstra-Bass, Rob Stewart, David Stewart-Hunter, Jen Manoogian, Julie Mathers, Simon Pearce, Harry Charlesworth, Jan Thorpe, Natalie Hughes and Oscar Baird.
Congratulations to whoever did the program – just brilliant! You’ll have to find out why by going to the show. And the set! It’s ingenious as the wheeled furniture and full-length curtains create a new scene in seconds – the program lists six curtain specialists! And the wonderful costumes! Susan Carveth creates the 1930s with authentic, detailed clothing. The Genesian has created a picture of the 1930s by attention to detail, even importing a key prop from overseas! No, we can’t tell you what that prop is. You’ll have to go see the show.
The Genesian was on Kent Street in the city for 80 years and moved to Rozelle in 2025. The new venue’s acoustics are excellent. The padded seats are comfortable. The high raked seating allows everyone to see the proscenium stage. The blush red curtains with the 30cm gold tassel-fringe at the bottom, the ritzy turquoise curtains on the side walls, and the matching turquoise ceiling all present a grand theatre experience.
THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD is a very complicated mystery. Every character has a secret that Poirot must discover. Many hints are dropped in the first half causing the audience in the foyer at interval to intensely discuss who the murderer will be. The production is so well managed that we’re on the edge of our seats trying to decipher the mystery until the very last moment.
Running time 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval.
Great fun, THE MURDER OF ROGER ACKROYD is playing at the Genesian Theatre, St Joseph’s Church Hall, 2B Gordon Street, Rozelle until the 28th February 2026.
