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A review by dan1066
Spider's Web by Agatha Christie
4.0
I read this play; I've never seen it staged. If I were reviewing a staged version, I'm sure I wouldn't have this one complaint, which, I admit, is rather petty. Agatha Christie cripples the dialogue with blocking notes. Was she aware a play's director is capable of making these decisions? Somehow, someway, Shakespeare plays are staged and there's no blocking notes within his text. (The writer gets up, pours a glass of water in kitchen sink LC, then returns to desk RC) The continual description of character movement inserted in their dialogue became rather annoying after a while. (The writer gets up from desk RC and moves to French doors C) It's like, damn Agatha, let the director direct the play--just provide the dialogue.
As for the play itself, it's rather amusing. Though they are stereotypes, I enjoyed the character portrayals. I could readily see (even with the stage directions) how this play would work well with a live audience. There's a lot of humor and Christie keeps the pace moving forward. I also enjoyed the character Clarissa's continual knocking on the fourth wall by alluding to plays or detective novels as the action on the stage becomes more incredible and unbelievable.
All in all, a good play for what it's designed to do: To entertain.
As for the play itself, it's rather amusing. Though they are stereotypes, I enjoyed the character portrayals. I could readily see (even with the stage directions) how this play would work well with a live audience. There's a lot of humor and Christie keeps the pace moving forward. I also enjoyed the character Clarissa's continual knocking on the fourth wall by alluding to plays or detective novels as the action on the stage becomes more incredible and unbelievable.
All in all, a good play for what it's designed to do: To entertain.