Mary's Agatha Christie Blog

Agatha Christie Trivia

2006-10-17T14:21:00.000-07:00

On an occasional basis, I intend to share little snippets of Agatha Christie trivia with the visitors to my Agatha Christie website.

The first ten bits of trivia that will be appearing soon are as follows:

Regrettably, Agatha Christie never did actually say ‘The very best husband a woman can have is an archaeologist because the older she becomes the more interested he is in her.’

Her second marriage, to archaeologist Max Mallowan, took place in St Columba’s Church, Edinburgh.

Husband and wife team of Richard Attenborough and Sheila Sim played the two leads in the original production of ‘The Mousetrap.’

Agatha Christie based Miss Marple upon the character of Caroline Sheppard in ‘The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.’

Her uncle Edward trained as a medical student, but had to give it up as he couldn’t stand the sight of blood.

She broke her engagement to a young man called Reggie Lucy in order to marry Archie Christie

Agatha Christie once chloroformed a hedgehog that had got entangled in a tennis net in order to set it free.

She considered ‘The Mystery of the Blue Train’ ‘commonplace, full of clichés, with an uninteresting plot’.

On her first journey on the Orient Express, Agatha got badly bitten by bedbugs.

Charles Laughton was the first person to play Hercule Poirot in the stage play ‘Alibi.’

Witness For The Prosecution

2006-10-13T13:52:00.000-07:00

I watched witness for the prosecution with a friend recently and I had forgotten just how good it is. A fabulous twisty plot, of course, but also excellent acting, especially from the wonderful Charles Laughton and his real-life wife Elsa Lanchester.

The transition from stage play to the big screen is not always entirely successful, but I think witness for the prosecution managed to perfectly balance the intimacy of the theatre with some wider-ranging scenes.

Of course, it was directed by the great Billy Wilder, so a highly polished production is only to be expected and witness for the prosecution has really achieved the status of a classic.

My friend had never seen Witness for the Prosecution before and she thoroughly enjoyed it, being completely taken in by Dame Agatha’s devious plotting.

For more information on Witness For The Prosecution and to view a great clip from the film, visit the main All About Agatha Christie Website.

Click Here To Visit The Witness For The Prosecution Website Page

Agatha Christie's Fondest Memories

2006-10-10T10:04:00.000-07:00

On the very last page of her autobiography, Agatha Christie refers to, ‘Two summits of ambition fulfilled.’ I mention one of these – ‘the proud ownership of a bottle-nosed Morris – a car of my own!’ - on the main website page that discusses ‘The Man in the Brown Suit.’ It was the money she received for the serial rights of this novel that enabled her to make this exciting purchase.

Later, of course, Agatha Christie must have been fabulously wealthy and there would not be many things she would not be able to afford. However, the second outstanding moment of her life was something that money cannot buy – dining with the Queen. Agatha explains why these two events made such an indelible impression on her:

‘Both of these happenings, you see, had something of a fairytale quality about them. They were things that I thought could never happen to me: to have a car of my own, and to dine with the Queen of England.’

I find it extremely touching that with all her wealth, and with all the adulation she received, these two very different – and in materialistic terms, very simple – things, were amongst her fondest memories.

And as Her Majesty passes her eightieth birthday, it is interesting to speculate whether, as she look back over her life, her meeting with Dame Agatha ranks as one of her special moments.

It wouldn’t surprise me at all to find that it does.

Factory Space presents 'The Hollow' at the Star of the Sea Theatre, Manly, Australia.

2006-10-02T13:14:00.000-07:00

Agatha Christie's murder mystery play 'The Hollow' will open at the Star of the Sea Theatre, Manly on November 2nd.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death. Well known as the best selling fiction writer of all time, Christie was also a very successful playwright. Her most famous work 'The Mousetrap', opened in 1952 and is still showing in London - the world's longest continuously running play.

Adapted for the stage by the Queen of Crime herself from one of her own books, Christie's 'The Hollow' premiered in London in 1951. This year, it has again delighted UK audiences, as the first production of the new Agatha Christie Theatre Company.

'The Hollow' is a classic Christie murder mystery: ingenious and witty with a fascinating collection of characters whose fears are real and whose passions run deep.

Guests assemble for a weekend in the country. Its members joined by blood, marriage, lust and money, the party masks a tangled web of secret jealousies and desires. At the centre is the dashing John Cristow, his current mistress, his ex-lover and his wife. Someone is murdered. Everyone is suspect. Inspector Colquhoun and Sergeant Penny of Scotland Yard arrive and, secret by secret, the web unravels.

The cast includes Sylvia Allewelt, Bronwen Gault, Amelia Longhurst, Daniel McCallum, Ben Mclaine, Belinda Marques, Kath Perry, Alan Popely and Adam Salter. The play is directed by Roz Riley for Factory Space and designed by Hecate.

(Critics'comments on the 2006 UK production by The Agatha Christie Theatre Co:"I loved every minute of it. So did the people around me." Daily Telegraph "Christie's tale twists and turns, throwing up red herrings left and right. Brilliant!" Evening Telegraph "For Christie fans this is a must!" Windsor Observer)

Factory Space is resident at Star of the Sea Theatre in Manly and celebrates its 10th year as an independent theatre company in 2006. This is the final production in this year's season of four plays and three play readings.

Information about the 2007 season will be available in November at www.factoryspace.org or by calling 02 9439 1906.

The Hollow' Star of the Sea Theatre, corner Collingwood St and Iluka Avenue, Manly. Opens Thursday 2 November. Plays Thurs-Sat to 18 November at 7:30 pm, Sunday 5 November at 2pm and Sunday 12 November at 5:00 pm Tickets $28/$23. Group discounts and School parties by arrangement. Info and Bookings: 02 9439 1906. Media Contact: Kath Perry 02 8920 8980

Help To Save The David Suchet Poirot Series

2006-09-28T05:37:00.000-07:00

Andrea Abbatista has launched a campaign to save the wonderful David Suchet Poirot Series from being scrapped.

It would seem that the main sponsor A&E (USA) has pulled out of investing in UK based films.

Click Here To Find Out More And What You Can Do To Help

Auction of Agatha Christie memorabilia

2006-09-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

Yesterday’s auction of Agatha Christie memorabilia held at Greenway netted £303,000.00 – double the expected figure.

Good to know that a large part of the profits will go towards maintaining Greenway House which will eventually be open to the public. (The grounds are already open to visitors of course.)

Andrew Thomas of Bearnes of Exeter, the auctioneers who conducted the sale, said ‘Bidders turned out in force today and not only voted with their feet but also their wallets too in order to buy a piece of the Agatha Christie legend.’

Well said, Mr Thomas.

Inaugural All About Agatha Christie Weekend

2006-08-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

This is something currently at the planning stage but is likely to go ahead sometime next spring.

At the moment, I'm trying to negotiate the best price possible with a range of hotels, in and around Torquay (Agatha Christie's birthplace) all of which have an Agatha Christie connection.

I'm also in discussions with a local Agatha Christie expert who does talks and guided tours.

The draft itinerary at present is:

Friday PM

Arrive for evening meal and after dinner speaker

Saturday AM

Guided tour of Greenway house gardens (Agatha Chrstie's summer residence). The plan is to arrive via ferry landing at Greenway Quay. Greenway is described as a garden of exceptional beauty with an atmosphere of romantic wilderness and mystery. Renowned for rare half-hardy plants and drifts of wild flowers, occupying a Wonderful position with breathtaking views and glimpses of the wooded Dart estuary. In terms of refreshment, apparently the Greenway cafe does cream teas that Miss Marple would be proud of.

Saturday PM

Murder Mystery Dinner - Period Dress.

Sunday AM

Guided tour of the Agatha Christie Mile. Based around the Torquay harbour and seafront, the Agatha Christie Mile takes in 10 landmarks, at eight of which there are clues which spell out the name of a character linked with the great lady's books. Christie landmarks include the Agatha Christie exhibition at Torquay musuem; the bronze bust of Agatha Christie in Cary Gardens, princess gardens (featured in 'The ABC Murders'); and the 12th century Torre Abbey opposite Torquay's main beach.

Sunday PM

Murder Mystery Prize giving, group photos and farewells.

As mentioned above, this is something still very much at the planning stage and I will of cause provide further details as they become available e.g. the cost of the weekend.

If this is something you might be interested in attending, I'd be very grateful if you could express that interest via the following link. It goes without saying that this entails absolutely no obligation on your part. It would just be very useful to help guage the potential number of guests involved.

Click Here To Express Your Interest

Agatha Christie: Have Your Say (1)

2006-08-29T23:40:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago I launched the Agatha Christie have your say page where Agatha Christie fans can express their thoughts about anything to do with the great lady.

A Big thank you to Sean Keeley from The United States for sending in his thoughts.

Sean sent in his answers to the following questions:

which is your favourite Miss Marple Story?

A Murder Is Announced is my favorite because of the brilliant mystery, the reflection of village life, the Post WWII atmosphere, the characters, and of course Miss Marple at her best.

In which book you consider Hercule Poirot to be at his brilliant best?

Well, my favorite Poirot is Death on the Nile, but as for Poirot at his most brilliant - it's got to be The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. If I hadn't heard about the famous conclusion beforehand, I would not have seen that coming.

Which is the best Agatha Christie story ever?

Death on the Nile would be my favorite; it's just got so much going for it.

What you think about the current Miss Marple/Hercule Poirot television dramatisations – do they satisfy you or make you see red?

I like the Joan Hickson Marple episodes and most of the David Suchet series very much, but I'm not a big fan of the Geraldine McEwan series. It has its good parts (lots of them, in fact) but the mysteries are too modernized, and the writers keep sticking Miss Marple into the books where she doesn't belong! And in the last few years, the David Suchet series has been going the same way, though I much prefer it to the current Marple series.

What in your opinion is the best film version of an Agatha Christie story?

The original version of Murder on the Orient Express - the 2001 remake is awful! As for TV movies, any of the early David Suchet movies are excellent - "The ABC Murders," "Murder on the Links," "One, Two, Buckle My Shoe," "Lord Edgeware Dies."

What was the first Agatha Christie book you ever read? Were you immediately hooked?

The first one I ever read was And Then There Were None. And considering that now I have gone through every Poirot and Marple story, and am working on Tommy and Tuppence and the stand-alone novels - yes, I'm hooked.

Click Here To Visit The Agatha Christie Have Your Say Page

How To Make A Miss Marple Afternoon Tea

2006-08-28T13:10:00.000-07:00

Not only does she knit and solve crimes but Agatha Christie's quintessentially English detective Miss Marple also serves an afternoon tea to die for! Here's how you can do the same.

Use the prettiest, most delicate, china tea service you can.

Make sure your cutlery is gleaming bright.

Set the table with a snowy white lacy or linen table cloth and matching napkins.

If possible, use tealeaves rather than teabags and provide a tea strainer.

As well as milk and sugar (lumps for preference) have a small dish of sliced lemons.

Provide two teapots – one containing the actual tea and one with hot water.

Have a three-tiered cake stand with sandwiches on the bottom tier, freshly baked scones on the middle tier and a selection of fruitcake and fairy/cream cakes on the top tier.

Put jam, honey, clotted cream and butter into small individual pots or dishes.

Place paper doilies on each tier before placing the food on it.

Sandwiches should have the crusts removed and be cut into small triangles.

Use a mixture of white and brown/granary bread.

Suggested sandwich filling are: thinly sliced cucumber, salmon, and cream cheese.

Garnish your sandwiches with a little mustard and cress or watercress and pretty up the scone and cake tiers by added a few strawberries or other soft fruit.

Ideally, and weather permitting, serve your afternoon tea out of doors.

Agatha Christie Quiz

2006-08-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

Back in June I posted an Agatha Christie quiz on the All About Agatha Christie website. If you fancy having a go, just click on the following link.

Questions include:

Who is the first person to be killed on the island in 'And Then There Were None?'

Who or what is the ‘Dumb Witness?’

Visit The Agatha Christie Quiz Page

The Strange Case of Hercule Poirot

2006-08-28T02:33:00.000-07:00

Came across an interesting article entitled 'The Strange Case of Hercule Poirot'. Written by P.D James for the daily Telegraph, the article investigates how Agatha Christie's fictional detective has survived so long?

Let me know what you think of the article. I'll be posting my own thoughts shortly. For instance do you agree with the following passage?

'Captain Hastings does not last long, making an exit in Dumb Witness, published in 1937, and appearing finally in Curtain, written by Christie with the intention that it should not appear until after her death. She was wise to jettison him: he wasn't just boring, he was also unnecessary.'

Click Here To Read The Article in Full

All the best Mary

http://www.all-about-agatha-christie.com