Writer Philip Meeks’ comedy thriller, directed by Damian Cruden, reveals the sensational story of Margaret Rutherford’s past in this comedy thriller, ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’ in which Susie Blake (Victoria Wood as Seen on TV, Coronation Street) plays formidable actress Margaret Rutherford. I caught up with Philip and Susie for a quick chat about the production, which forms part of a year-long programme of work put together by an all-female panel with the aim to redress the imbalance in women’s roles in both theatrical work and the industry as a whole.
Susie Blake (Margaret Rutherford)
Would you tell us a little about ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’?
It’s a great story about women and told by women, that’s moving, funny and highly original, while at the same time incredibly nostalgic. It’s a homage not only to the ladies themselves but the British cinema industry of the sixties. It’s a funny, sad and surprising story about two famous elderly women, their secret friendships, hidden histories and how they came to be at the creative heart of the biggest cinema success Britain had ever had.
How are you finding playing Margaret Rutherford in ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’?
There’re a lot of words because there’s only three of us and we’re on stage constantly. Also, the play’s story moves around in time and place so I needed to structure the learning. It’s wonderful working with two other fantastic actors in such a concentrated way. Nichola and I go back a long way. As a young actress, I hugely admired Margaret Rutherford and said I always wanted to be her when I reached a certain age. I meant to play the roles she played of course. I never thought I’d actually play her but it’s wonderful doing it. You can’t, of course, become someone else and this play is about more than her story so we never set out to impersonate Margaret or Agatha Christie. We suggest them really. Of course, the reason why I’m in the play is Nichola McAuliffe, who was cast as Agatha before the role of Margaret was cast.
Why do you think that Agatha Christie’s work continues to be so popular?
Agatha Christie was so prolific and widely imitated because she originated so many of the tropes of classic crime. She was a pioneer in her field. In ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’, Agatha bemoans the fact that she’s become “a brand”, with her work being run by a limited company, but of course they knew what they were doing and did a great job of making her, arguably, the most famous author in the world. Without this, though, I still think her stories and characters would have endured.
Philip Meeks (writer of ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’)
How did you come to write ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’?
The play’s sort of been written twice. It started life as a one-woman fringe show and was performed in Edinburgh, New York and Mexico City. I wrote it always thinking that one day I’d revisit it and turn it into a play for three actors. The original focused only on Margaret Rutherford’s secret story, but this version allows me to write far more about Agatha Christie. It was a great challenge to take the original play apart and expand it whilst keeping its spirit. Obviously, being a one-person play, it was very monologue-heavy. Almost all of this has been transposed into multi-character scenes and, thanks to the rehearsal process, they all seem to make sense.
Why you think people will enjoy this production?
I think that ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’ is a very unusual play. It’s peopled with posh ladies and set in a cinematic world of yesterday but I like to think it’s still very modern and pacey. It’s funny and sad and celebrates hugely successful women, but it’s actually a mystery in its own right. Agatha Christie takes on the role of detective to unearth Margaret Rutherford’s past.
As a writer, how have you found the rehearsal process for this York Theatre Royal production of ‘Murder, Margaret and Me’?
It’s really hard work when people ask you about what you’ve written and you’re expected to say clever things about it! Sometimes I can’t remember what I’ve written let alone why. It’s been wonderful seeing the play come to life. When you write a play you only provide half the story. It exists to facilitate the creativity of others. Some of the directions the play has taken in this production has delighted and surprised me, and it’s certainly a chance to see some fantastic acting from top notch female actors of a certain age without a single man on display.
Why do you think that Agatha Christie’s work continues to be so popular?
Because her writing and her crimes were so cunning and clever. She was the queen of the red herring and her characters drove the story. She also had a very successful formula. I hate it when people are sniffy about her. She has amazing plotting skill, she’s funny and knows how to frighten the reader. Horror and humour should always walk hand in hand.
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