Mathew's Blog

My grandmother, of course, had no experience of blogs, but I think she might well have approved of them because they provide a great opportunity for listening. She was herself, without exception, the best listener I have ever known – one of the reasons maybe why she was able to write so many excellent books. For myself, I shall try to learn from her example and listen very carefully as the blog develops, and occasionally contribute myself.

In the meantime, happy blogging!

Login or Register to post a comment

Spider's Web

22 Jan 09 4:09PM

Many years ago, when I was appointed Chairman of the Welsh Arts Council, I was asked what I would most like to achieve during my term of office.  I replied that I would like to make it possible for every child in Wales to attend a live performance in the theatre at least once before they were 16.  I was greeted with amazement!

I was reminded of this last week when Lucy and I attended an early performance of the Agatha Christie Theatre Company's production of Spider's Web.  Perfect it was not, but the theatre in Windsor was full and I saw for myself that everyone there had a wonderful evening and I can say forgot for an hour or two the problems that concern us all at the moment.

I think this was another indication for me of the lasting relevance and power of my grandmother's appeal.  Agatha Christie is pure entertainment and I sometimes think it is at its most powerful in the plays she wrote herself.  So, those of you who live in the UK, get out of your houses and go to Spider's Web which is now touring and I hope will be somewhere near you soon!

• 20 comments

Comment on this story

Login or Register to post a comment

20 comments

adamjones 02 Apr 11 at 9:48a.m.

Insects can get trapped in spider webs, providing nutrition to the spider; however, not all spiders build webs to catch prey, and some do not build webs at all. The main difference between spider webs and cobwebs is that spider webs are still in use, while cobwebs are webs that have been abandoned.

thesis help

oodelally3 17 Feb 11 at 7:47p.m.

Greeted with amazement? How sad. I think before the age of 10, everyone should have seen a live theatre performance of some kind. I was very lucky with my family, I suppose, but in middle school and high school, I was always amazed at how many people had not attended live theatre. Such a rich experience, no matter if it's plays, musicals, dance, orchestra.

I'm a big advocate for arts education in the schools, and from a very young age. Thank you for helping!

jimk 11 Oct 09 at 2:13a.m.

I have been a devoted reader of the Agatha Christie books for more than 40 years. I have recently attended a performace of the SPIDERS WEB in the Grand Opera House in Belfast. What a super show and it kept the audience on the edges of their seats until the mudererer was finally revealed. I look forward to future Agatha Christie plays in Belfast.

mystery51A 10 Sep 09 at 12:29a.m.

I have enjoyed agatha christie books for a little more than 20 years. i have a few books but not many of them myself

Denise1 04 Sep 09 at 2:07p.m.

I have just returned from The International Mystery Writers' Festival (third annual) in Owensboro, Kentucky.
This year's theme was Agatha Christie. We were astonished at the inventiveness & quality of the four "historic" BBC Radio mystery plays that were presented in a Live Theatre style.
Three Blind Mice, Butter In A Lordly Dish, A Personal Call and Yellow Iris -- all over 50 years old and never presented in the Americas before.
A superb acting company of nearly 20, joined by 2 Foleys (Sound effect specialists) - as well as 3 musicians succeeded in moving the thrillers from "Old Radio" style to amazing LIVE RADIO THEATRE and a a perfectly new transition to Theatrical presentations.
Yes, they have costumes, props, good mood lighting and while the actors still "read" from scripts and stand in front of Mics, they do relate to one another while their faces and body language are truly of West End Theatre style.
This brave "break" from the somewhat "rigid" Old Radio acting technique was inspiring. We HAVE a new ART FORM -- based upon the many great decades of Radio Drama -- propelling us into the 21 Century! Dame Agatha would have been so proud.
Bravo.

Jack_London 22 Aug 09 at 1:43a.m.

Greetings!
It must be a very interesting position to be in, as the grandson of the dubbed Queen of Crime. I think many people would agree that Agatha Christie has become someone who is represented by her portraits and her incredible literature, but i personally would like to know what she was like as a grandmother, and a family member. My grandparents often tell me of how they would pass her in the streets of england and i consider them very lucky, however i'd like to know a little more about the agatha christie who had a family of her own, and how she viewed and appreciated life -i hope that doesn't sound too nosey or cliche.
Thanks for blogging on this site, :)

Jack London.

jali 15 Aug 09 at 12:19p.m.

Hola
sorry my poor english so i preffer write in spanish

os escribo desde España para compartir con vosotros mi amor por la obra de la gran Agatha Chsristie.
Nadie como ella me ha hecho disfrutar tanto con un libro entre mis manos.
Para mí,una de las más importantes escritoras del siglo XX, sin duda.
Un saludo

michaeldaly 01 Jul 09 at 3:35p.m.

As a point of fun, which living actors and actresses would you choose to play Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple if you were the casting director?

You cannot select any of the previous talents although superb; they are not in the running for as a new performer.

Pick any well known players and post your response on this blog. Here are my thoughts:

Hercule Poirot-Kevin Spacey

Miss Marple-Angela Lansbury

Any comment?

michaeldaly USA

activesolutions 30 Jun 09 at 6:03p.m.

I saw on a Australian news channel and the Sydney Morning Herald that a new Miss Marple, with Julia Mckenzie was screened last week, "Pocket Full Of Rye".

Its a pity that ITV in the UK have not shown it yet and have not given a date when it will be shown.

michaeldaly 30 Jun 09 at 1:29p.m.

Agatha Christie's characters often have most reveling characteristics, such as Hercule Poirot’s tidy behavior, and Miss Marple's seemingly lack of a moderately stylish wardrobe.

Are these symbolic of Agatha Christie herself? Can anyone tell me if she possessed comparable traits which found their way into Poirot’s or Miss Marple’s demeanor?

I am most interested due to my former news director experience for ABC TV in the states. Occasionally, we looked for the unusual and the eccentric stories to telecast which might not have been news worthy, but related a perspective to our audience. Now retired, I am reviewing curious subjects such as Miss Marple and Poirot. Any response will be of significant help. Much thanks.

rac 24 Jun 09 at 3:46p.m.

I've been a reader of Agatha Christie stories for nearly 40 years. I'm now looking to donate between 50 and 100 Christie books (mostly paperbacks, but some hardcovers) to an interested person or organisation in the Westchester County area (outside New York City, USA). I stress that I am NOT looking for any payment in return for the books. Unfortunately, the local libraries aren't particularly interested in taking donations of fiction works. If anyone happens to know of an interested person or organisation in my area, I would be most grateful to hear from you. Thank you!

agatha2day 11 Jun 09 at 1:58p.m.

More of a question for Mr. Matthew. Having read Agatha's (hope you don't mind the familiar) autobiography, she recommended reading "Eothen Traces of Travel" by Kinglake to those who wanted a good example of English writing. I wonder what other books do you know of that she might have recommended to her reading audience?

Lucy_H 29 May 09 at 8:42p.m.

I completely agree with SH4Kinder, We need more Agatha Christie movies or plays or in fact anything Agatha Christie!!!!

jolley74 09 Apr 09 at 5:57p.m.

i am going to see spiders web on 30th may at the floral pavillion in new brighton.this is my birthday present and what a present it is!!!i cant wait i will let you know how it goes

davidwimb 09 Apr 09 at 9:28a.m.

I have just seen Spiders web atPoole. I must say I enjoyed it to a degree , marvellous set and generally the acting was good though did occasionally teeter on the edge of farce. I think it did however lose some of its character being performed in a stark modern theatre. Perhaps consideration could be given in future to perform at more intimate venues, such as the restored Art Deco Theatre The Tivoli in Wimborne,(only eight miles from Poole) which only seats 500 but has the atmosphere which would suit Agatha Christie Productions. I must though declare an interest as I am involved with the production of Witness for the Prosecution being performed at the theatre during the first week in June,which if people on on holiday in the area might be ideal to see another of AGs classics.

carolinahenrique 02 Apr 09 at 3:17a.m.

Sadly in Brazil it is really hard to find Agatha Christie’s plays or another kind of mystery plays. The only performance I could see here was The Mousetrap and I truly enjoyed it! I agree with the idea that every child must attend a live performance before 16. It is essential that they have access to the culture, books and theatre. I fortunately read my first Agatha Christie’s book when I was twelve and I instantly fell in love. I had started to live in a new world of adventures and pleasure. This fact improved my taste by the reading, so nowadays I am a book supporter... Thank you Agatha Christie for this!

gothdolly 21 Feb 09 at 8:34p.m.

I also would like to see more movie or TV versions of Agatha Christies books, I love Poirot but Tommy & Tuppence and other stories are also great. Come on TV channels give us some more.

SH4Kinder 20 Feb 09 at 11:17p.m.

I have seen several of Agatha Christie plays over the years and still love the memory of "The Moustrap" in London in the tiniest seats you can imagine! It really puts a perspective on time and how huge people are today and how tiny they were 100 years ago!
Now I have a question.
How can an Agatha Christie fan get the BBC to make a movie using the original Tommy and Tuppance actors to do the movie version of M or N? and the other one (can't remember the name) during WWII with Mrs. Blenkensop?
Frances Anis was so good as Tuppance, we need more movies of Agathas' books!
Thanks

VRossa 24 Jan 09 at 11:04a.m.

I have never seen the Spider's Web but I have read Charles Osborne's adaption of it - as you say it is great entertainment - and you are right that is the essence of Agatha Christie - great entertainment that you forget your concerns of the moment and just get lost in another world.

RebeccaM 23 Jan 09 at 11:02a.m.

I also saw Spider's Web at Windsor and loved it, & we came away buzzing; as you say, it did wonders for our spirits. I checked it out afterwards and discovered it was one of her most successful plays. Won't give anything away but it is very funny and very very clever. The theatre was pretty full when we went too, which was marvellous to see as last time we went there were a lot of empty seats. That was Murder on Air, which was also wonderful, in a completely unexpected way - you have to see it to see why. But there were lots of empty seats that night. Was it the fault of the recession or because a radio show in the theatre seemed a bit odd? Understandable for the former, but a pity if it was the latter.