A kidnapping, a gold digger, a whistling bricklayer, mysterious notations on a spouse’s calendar, a murder and endless cups of hot cocoa. It can only mean one thing: Detective Hercule Poirot and sidekick Captain Arthur Hastings are shifting clues in the case of “Peril in the Alps,” a world premiere comedy-mystery at North Coast Repertory Theatre.
Returning to the NCR stage is actor Omri Schein as Agatha Christie’s character Poirot, last seen in “Murder on the Links” (2023). Whereas the earlier production was an adaptation of a Christie novel of the same name, “Peril in the Alps” is an original storyline that incorporates characters, plot threads and lethal weapons from other Christie works. Both comedies are by playwright Steven Dietz who also directs the cast of six terrific actors portraying 29 roles. Hold on to your hat (more about hats later).
The action begins with newlyweds Captain Hastings (Valerie Larsen) and wife Dulcie (Gabbie Adner) enjoying an afternoon cup of tea in their London flat. Tranquility is shattered when a brick flies through a window pane delivering a message that Dulcie’s identical twin, Belle, has been kidnapped.
This sets Poirot and Hastings, aided by a resourceful Dulcie (she and her twin are contortionists), off on a frantic search that leads them and Belle’s husband, Jack (Brian Mackey), to the shop of a French milliner (played by Amanda Sitton), in which Belle was last seen entering but not leaving the premises. Where or where could she and her newest hat be? Other developments and red herrings are introduced by actor Christopher M. Williams who portrays, among other characters, a physician and a disgruntled businessman; one of whom does not have long to live.
Courtesy of set designer Marty Burnett, floor-to-ceiling clusters of hide-away panels revolve with fluid movement to reconfigure the stage into Poirot’s office, the Hastings’ flat, the hat shop, an apartment at the top of a hidden staircase, the morgue and a brickyard where a chain-smoking, no-neck guard keeps watch. With a downward tug of pull knobs the panels reveal fireplace and bookcase elements, framed photos, artwork and a matching pair of dueling pistols. Props design by Rai Feitmann. Light design by Matthew Novotny. When the action switches to the Swiss Alps, a rattling funicular frays Poirot’s nerves as he heads to a ski lodge and hopefully another cup of cocoa. Omri Schein is simply marvelous as Poirot.
There are plenty of laughs in this whodunit although at times the highly caffeinated, overly busy plot becomes a shell game in which it’s difficult to keep an eye on characters who regularly change characters and, in some cases, even their identities. Less-aggressive pacing would leave the audience less exhausted. It would also make unnecessary a scene in which mini hats atop mini hat stands are moved about on a tabletop like chess pieces to help explain who did what to whom.
I tip my hat to costume designer Elisa Benzoni for the tweeds, pinstripes, sweater vests, spats, wonderful dresses, elegant coats and utterly delicious assortment of chapeaus. Hair and wigs design is by Grace Wong.
Sound designer and composer Rob Witmer transports the audience to the 1920s through Django Reinhardt melodies. Other subtle background music underscores suspense and moves the story along. Strategically punctuating punchlines are an assortment of bonk, rimshot and other smile-inducing sound effects.
by Lynne Friedmann
