Hercule Poirot was the famed detective created by Agatha Christiie in 1920 who then appeared in 33 of her novels and over 50 of her short stories. Many were adapted into plays and later, into movies. Her play, “The Mousetrap,” ran for 62 years before it temporarily closed in 2020 due to Covid. “Alibi” was the first adaptation of a Christie story, “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd,” in 1928, though it was done by Michael Morton, an established playwright of the day. Christie diddn’t like the adaptation and from then on, did them herself. Amy Kaissar returned to the original Christie story to create this current adaptation which is much truer to the original. With an outstanding cast, Ken Kaissar has directed this mystery thriller on the Bristol Riverside stage.
It begins with a bang! Mrs. Ferrars has just committed suicide. She was the widow of an abusive husband and had poisoned him. Now, she was planning to marry Roger Ackroyd, a wealthy widower in the rural town of Fernly Park, where the story takes place. It is narrated by the local doctor, James Sheppard, who will become Poirot’s assistant in the investigation. He had been asked to dinner by Ackroyd who wanted to discuss with him things that may have led to Ferrars’ death. But then, Ackroyd is discovered later that evening with a knife in his neck. Ackroyd’s niece enlists the help of Detective Poirot who has retired and recently moved to the village.
Who would want Ackroyd dead? Poirot goes about talking to everyone as he gathers information. From Ackroyd’s financially needy nephew and his stepdaughter to his sister-in-law and others in the household, everyone has a motive. And Poirot points out that each character is hiding something of major consequence. His investigation into their stories is revealing and his style is highly amusing. He dismisses seemingly important evidence but dwells on things that others have overlooked.
The story also pivots around time, down to the minutes, when people came and left Ackroyd’s home as Poirot tries to pinpoint the movements of every character. There are so many parallel stories that you must pay attention to every word of every character. It is a bit challenging. But the cast, led by Danny Vaccaro as Dr. Sheppard and Benjamin Lloyd as Poirot, is top notch. Lloyd IS Poirot! And the rest of the ensemble is equally strong as we understand the struggles and motivations of each.
When I was a kid growing up in New York, I went to many plays both on Broadway and off. If a play were three hours long, it had two intermissions. I only wish this 3-hour production had two as well. So often, at the intermission, I would go into the lobby and discuss what was happening on stage with whoever I came with. But that is me and I understand that most theatergoers are not seeking the extra intermission.
And as for Amy Kaissar’s adaptation, which remains true to the original story, Alibi”” is a most interesting and entertaining play. I’m sure it would make Agatha Christie proud.
“Alibi: An Agatha Christie Story” adapted for Bristol Riverside by Amy Kaissar at Bristol Riverside Theatre, 120 Radcliffe St., Bristol, PA 19007, 215-785-0100, brstage.org, thru June 15, 2025
Philadelphia Theater Reviews by Frank Burd 