Despite these comments, the actors and the direction were both praised. The unnamed reviewer complained of the "walking ciphers of the vicarage" and "the rather thin theatrical excitement of first one, then another confession, both of which possibly cancel each other". It is not until the final scene - the pressure of events then forcing two of the characters into melodramatic life - that we become aware that there was, after all, an effective one-act play in Miss Christie's novel". Nobody, unhappily, has any good stage reason for living. In its issue of December 15, 1949, The Times gave an unenthusiastic review which began, "Everyone has a motive for killing. The play enjoyed a run of 126 performances, closing on April 1, 1950. The director was Reginald Tate who also played the part of Lawrence Redding. The play was the first time that the character of Miss Marple had been depicted outside the original books and she was portrayed by Barbara Mullen. It was first performed at the New Theatre, Northampton on Octoprior to moving to the Playhouse Theatre in the West End where it opened on December 16, 1949. Whatever the truth of the authorship, Christie was enthusiastic about the play and attended its rehearsals and first night. Christie's official biography suggests that the play was written by Christie with changes then made by Charles and Toy, presumably enough for them to claim the credit. A major departure for the book is the addition of a series of flashbacks to Miss Marple's youth and her love affair with a married soldier.Murder at the Vicarage is a 1949 play by Moie Charles and Barbara Toy based on the 1930 novel of the same name by Agatha Christie. In this adaptation, Miss Marple is portrayed as a close friend of Anne Protheroe. Miss Marple is given an ankle injury during the course of the lead-up to the murder. This version eliminates the characters of Dr Stone and Gladys Cram, replacing them with Professor Dufosse and his granddaughter Helene, and the reclusive Mrs Lestrange becomes a lavish alcoholic named Mrs Lester.
(may contain spoilers - click on expand to read) Jane Marple, recuperating at home from a sprained ankle, had a bird's eye view of all the comings and goings at the vicarage around the time of the murder and she gladly assists Inspector Slack in solving the crime. Lester with whom he clearly had some previous connection. There is also the vicar and his assistant, whom Protheroe suspected of stealing church funds. His daughter Lettice bridled under his strict rule. His wife Ann was having an affair with a local artist, Lawrence Redding. So, when he is found dead in the vicarage study, there is no end of suspects. All resent his superior and demanding attitude.
Colonel Lucius Protheroe is probably the least-liked individual in St Mary Mead.
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