A RARE, recently discovered Agatha Christie thriller is next on the bill at Rugby Theatre.
The Stranger is a stage version of Christie’s short story Philomel Cottage, but even though the playwright penned the adaption in 1932, it wasn’t performed or published in her lifetime.
It tells the story of a woman called Enid, who rejects her long-term fiance for a handsome and charming stranger called Gerald. But when the pair move to a remote country cottage, Gerald’s true personality begins to emerge, leading to a dark and shocking conclusion.
The show’s director Debbie Hibberd said: “The Stranger is different to any other Agatha Christie play you might have seen, with psychological suspense rather than overt action.
“How do you know if a stranger is telling you the truth? The internet has raised the profile of romance fraud, but it’s actually a very old form of deception, and The Stranger feels much more of the moment than you might expect for an Agatha Christie play.”
Debbie, who has been an Agatha Christie fan since she was at primary school, described the play as a ‘lost and found story’.
She added: “It was hidden in Christie’s archives until 2017, and the first professional production was in 2019 in America. The UK premier of The Stranger didn’t take place until 2021, so this is a rare opportunity for theatregoers.”
Enid and Gerald are played by renowned Rugby Theatre actors Wendy Kay and Dean Mills, and the central roles are supported by Enid’s best friend Doris (Melanie Lee) and her fiance Dick (Chris Allen-Mason). Housemaids Mrs Huggins and Mrs Birch, both played by Jill Dwyer, add humour to the tale.
Debbie added: “Rugby Theatre is delighted to bring you this 1932 edition of a rather modern crime story. Join us for an intimate psychological thriller, where the queen of mystery reminds us that not everyone is who they seem.”
The Stranger runs from March 7-14. Visit www.rugbytheatre.co.uk or call 01788 541234 for tickets.
