Just a few years ago, Agatha Christie was arguably Sidmouth s favourite author and crowds are currently flocking to the Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, to see a star-studded Vance Company cast, directed by Charles Vance, delighting audiences with the author's famous murder play The Unexpected Guest

Just a few years ago, Agatha Christie was arguably Sidmouth's favourite author and crowds are currently flocking to the Manor Pavilion, Sidmouth, to see a star-studded Vance Company cast, directed by Charles Vance, delighting audiences with the author's famous murder play The Unexpected Guest, which runs until Wednesday, September 23.

The lovely Jane Bennett has been persuaded to make an extra appearance as female lead Laura Warwick and John Elnaugh makes a most welcome return as the unexpected guest, Michael Starkwedder, who finds Laura gun in hand having apparently murdered her husband Richard. The ever-popular James Pellow plays Laura's lover, Julian Farrar, and Janet Farrow is cast as Mrs Warwick, the part taken by "Duchess" Hilda Howson in the 2004 production of The Unexpected Guest.

Michael Mitcham has a very challenging role as the unbalanced, retarded Jan Warwick, with Victoria Porter as the sensible, efficient Miss Bennett ('Benny') and Richard Delaney as shifty servant Henry Angell. The strong arm of the law is represented by Alan Wadlan as Inspector Thomas and Adam Trembath as Sergeant Cadwallader.

On Thursday, September 24, the final play in the Charles and Imogen Vance Summer Play Festival The Return of Sherlock Holmes starts its run at 8am.

For tickets contact Ellie Brooks at the Manor Pavilion Theatre, Sidmouth - telephone (01395) 579977.

Roger Simmonds