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It was the butler in the hallway with a candlestick
It was the butler in the hallway with a candlestick
by Miryam Gordon - SGN A&E Writer

Agatha Christie's
Witness for the Prosecution
The (Edmonds) Driftwood Players
Through September 23
Directed by Michelle Gillette


Agatha Christie was a great mystery writer. One of the best, in my humble opinion. Her plots were tight, realistic and hard to guess. "Witness for the Prosecution" started out as one of her short stories. It makes a fun and riveting play. Clocking in at over 2 1/2 hours, it may tire your backside, but will keep your mind turning over the clues and guessing, and then guessing again.

Leonard Vole (Boyd Morrison) is an amiable young man who befriended an older woman who is found dead. He is apparently the last person to have visited her and becomes the prime suspect. He has an alibi, however. He was home with his wife, and she will vouch for him. At least, that's what he thinks. His wife Romaine (Rachel Rene) visits the two lawyers (William Bowen and Tom Butterworth) who are preparing Vole's defense, but she is not acting at all the way they expect her to act. Thus begins the mystery.

Michelle Gillette has collected a strong ensemble of actors. Boyd Morrison, in particular, stands out as Vole, with a fantastic English accent of the lower classes. You can't help but believe he is exactly who he says he is. The lawyers, including also Terrence Boyd as the prosecuting attorney, are excellent in their roles. Laura Crouch does a fine turn as a vindictive housekeeper who hates Vole. Accents (coached by Laura Kessler) are generally well done (Butterworth can't quite seem to get there, though) creating the British atmosphere needed for the production. Comic relief is provided by Renee Gilbert as a pert secretary and Keith Remon as the chief clerk who has to put up with her.

A nicely created set by Gay Hawkins and Kent Kildow moves back and forth between the law office and the courtroom. Costumes by Jeanie Kimmel look very appropriate for the period.

During each of the two intermissions, audience members were buzzing about who did it. The last act, when all was revealed, was a satisfactory surprise. But it wasn't the butler. In fact, there was no butler in the play.

For more information, go to www.driftwoodplayers.com or call 425-774-9600.

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