Four radio manuscripts written by famed British writer Agatha Christie were lost in World War II. However, they were recently recovered and adapted into a thrilling production entitled “Agatha Christie’s The BBC Murders,” which will run at the Parker Playhouse in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla until Feb. 3.
Christie wrote several radio dramas for the “BBC Murders” series, which was known for its suspense and incredible characters. However, the manuscripts of the radio dramas were lost for more than 50 years during the London Blitz of World War II.
After their recovery, Zev Buffman, the show’s executive producer, collaborated with Christie’s estate and family to actualize the production and take it on tour throughout the U.S.
Melinda Peterson, who plays Christie in the adapted production, described the radio drama as “a unique way to experience radio that is more than 50 years old.”
“Back then, radio was the medium the world was fascinated with. The creativity [Christie] put into her radio dramas still lives today,” Peterson said.
The production is broken down into four separate radio dramas: “Three Blind Mice”, “Yellow Iris”, “Butter in a Lordly Dish” and “Personal Call.” Each segment is performed with actors in full costumes, who hold scripts and speak into a midcentury-looking microphone, while moving with hand gestures and articulating with facial expressions.
“Although it is not the typical Broadway production,” Peterson said, “It is not minimalistic theater. The audience still gets a full experience because the sound of the voices is so beautiful. The way the production is designed is to give the audience the power to imagine what the characters and setting must look like. The audience is simply guided with some costumes, accents, and stunning sound effects.”
Peterson feels that the story has a matchless quality because it invests listeners by enabling them to create images in their heads — images they will never forget.
“This is a truly different experience because you can close your eyes and you may even enjoy yourself more than if your eyes were open,” Peterson said. “That’s the beauty of radio. You can imagine what you want!”
Indeed, “The BBC Murders”, an unconventional show with a novel idea that sound itself can be the costumes, makeup and set, has been quite successful with audiences. It has won several awards, including the Raven Award, presented by the Edgar Awards Gala of Mystery Writers of America, and has become an international hit.
For more information on the show, including tickets, visit parkerplayhouse.com or call 954-462-0222.
