Latest news with #AgathaChristie
Daily Mirror
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC period drama based on best-selling novel of all time hailed as 'masterpiece'
The TV adaptation of best-selling crime novel And Then There Were None was first broadcast nearly a decade ago and now fans have been tuning into the series on BBC iPlayer The telly adaptation of And Then There Were None, which first aired ten years ago, has been dubbed the "best ever" by viewers who have recently tuned into the series available on BBC iPlayer. The Agatha Christie "masterpiece" was first published in 1939 and has seen a number of adaptations over the last 86 years. As one of the best-selling novels of all time, it remains one of Agatha Christie 's most beloved works. Her captivating whodunnit has sold a staggering 100 million copies worldwide. And Then There Were None has inspired countless adaptations, significantly influencing the crime and mystery genres. Now, fans are rediscovering BBC One's 2015 adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic - a three-part series which boasts a star-studded British cast including Poldark actor, Aidan Turner, who portrays Charles. It comes after the BBC dropped all episodes of Agatha Christie's Towards Zero earlier this year. The storyline involves 10 strangers - among them a sickly judge, Justice Lawrence Wargrave (Charles), a shady mercenary, Philip Lombard (Aidan Turner), a Bible-thumping spinster, Miss Emily Brent (Miranda Richardson), and a troubled Harley Street doctor, Edward Armstrong (Toby Stephens) - invited to a party on an isolated island off the Devon coast. Also featuring in the series are Douglas Booth, Anna Maxwell Martin, Burn Gorman and Sam Neill. As the group anticipates the arrival of their hosts - Mr and Mrs UN Owen - the weather takes a dramatic turn, leaving the 10 guests stranded on the Devon coast, reports the Express. The guests are murdered one by one, following the nursery rhyme Ten Little Soldier Boys that is displayed in every room. The rhyme concludes with the words: "... and then there were none." Viewers continue to heap praise on the programme which debuted in 2015 and boasts an impressive 91 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One fan gushed: "Absolutely brilliant! Fantastic performances on all counts. A must-see mystery series." Another declared: "Possibly one of the best ensemble casts I've seen put together. This was thrilling, beautifully shot, incredibly well done. Loved it. "Love this so much I've watched it countless times. Some very well known faces and excellent acting, especially from Aidan Turner who to be fair is great at everything he does. Love the island and the feel of it. Can't fault it at all," a third enthusiast shared. A fourth viewer proclaimed: "And There Was None is a great twisted psychological thriller that trick us and that captivates the spectator since the first moment. Original and unpredictable are the best words to describe this Agatha Christie's masterpiece." Voicing their appreciation, a fifth declared: "Hands down the best adaptation of Agatha Christie."
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- South China Morning Post
Book-inspired holidays: Follow in the footsteps of authors from Agatha Christie to Márquez
'The world is a book,' 4th century theologian St Augustine is believed to have said, 'and those who do not travel read only one page.' But what if the journey and an actual book were combined? Rejecting checklist-driven tourism, destination book clubs curate escapes that bring together literature lovers in locations that are themselves characters in their respective tales. And appealing to those craving such connection, companies like Books in Places, the Enchanted Book Club and Avalon Waterways, which offers Storyteller cruises, are combining walking tours, debates and discussions, local cuisine and sometimes even meetings or talks with authors and booksellers. Agatha Christie's Egypt Death on the Nile, by Agatha Christie, was inspired by her time aboard the SS Sudan. Photo: Handout In 1933, mystery writer Agatha Christie set sail on the SS Sudan. Her time aboard inspired Death on the Nile (1937), about the search for a murderer aboard a river steamer. The events in the novel take place against some of the most stunning sites in Egypt : Abu Simbel, temples built into a sandstone cliff by Ramses II in the 13th century BC; Karnak, the largest temple ruins in Egypt; and the Old Cataract Hotel (now the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan), where Christie wrote her Hercule Poirot mystery in a suite overlooking the river. The Cairo & Nile Cruise Reading Holiday, hosted by Friendship Travel and led by a 'reading-holiday guide', sets sail on November 1. The nine-night itinerary allows time to read (or re-read) the novel and explore the Pyramids and the Sphinx, Luxor, the Valley of the Kings, Aswan and Cairo, the Egyptian capital. Alternatively, book the Agatha Christie suite on the SS Sudan, which has been restored and now sails between Luxor and Aswan over six days and takes in the sights of Upper Egypt.
BBC News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Inside Penguin Books' Northamptonshire archive
Deep within the warehouse capital of the country lies a literature lover's treasure from view, among the "mega-sheds" and supply chain businesses of Northamptonshire, there is no hint of the historical wonders this non-descript warehouse on the outskirts of Rushden is home to is the Penguin Random House UK Library and features 1.5 million books by some of the biggest names in literature, including Agatha Christie, Ernest Hemingway, Roald Dahl and Jilly Cooper, as well as many other documents relating to the world-famous publisher, now celebrating its 90th birthday. "It's pretty overwhelming. I love it, though," says Nicki Carter, senior library and archive assistant, who joined the collection seven years ago."I've always been an avid reader. I moved to this area in my early teens and I'd always driven past this building and wondered what was inside".Her dream to work in publishing came true years later when she left university and decided to check the publisher's website."There happened to be a job going and considering there are only five roles here, it was very fortuitous timing," she says. Her favourite part of the archive? It's the Terry Pratchett collection, devoted to the work of the bestselling author of the Discworld series."I love Terry Pratchett," she says."We've got the original cover designs. And then we have the more modern ones where we've come out with these beautiful clothbound classics."So, if you're a fan, this is the place to be; this is the place to spend your time." The archive, which contains copies of every book ever published by the firm, moved to its current location in 2017, with its system of static, rolling and electric stacks doubling and tripling library space as and when addition to cataloguing the books, the team answer queries from researchers, university students and authors, as well as investigating the history of the oldest book in its collection is the 1739 publication of Joe Miller's it's not just books that are stored here. "I'm really fascinated by our contract collections," says Esmé Bonner, library and archive assistant."Contracts can be incredibly dry but they help us discover the history that led us from initial conversation with author to book."We have a lot of capsule history here that you wouldn't find anywhere else."We have some fantastic correspondence with Bram Stoker around his publications. We have a lot of letters from Graham Greene, George Bernard Shaw." One of the archive's most prized exhibits is a copy of the publishing contract for L. Frank Baum's The Wizard of Oz. The original document was destroyed during the Blitz."We're very cognisant of how much history we hold here and how that history intersects with Britain and with English literature," she says."Penguin massively upset the publishing process and we're incredibly fortunate it was so successful." How Penguin became a publishing superpower Penguin Books began life in 1934 when its founder, Allen Lane, was stranded at Exeter station with nothing to the time, hardbacks were hugely expensive and paperbacks widely dismissed as cheap, trashy "pulp fiction".Lane's idea? To sell great literature at cheap so, in 1935, Penguin Books was initial catalogue of 10 books, priced at just sixpence each, included a reprint of Agatha Christie's The Mysterious Affair at logo? A black and white penguin sketched at London Zoo after Lane's secretary suggested the bird as the company's a year, three million Penguin books had been sold and a publishing revolution was born. 'It's just dreamy' The Northamptonshire archive charts the evolution of publishing as well as 2013, Penguin merged with Random House, bringing together dozens of imprints under one roof, including Ebury, Transworld and Quadrille."It's just dreamy. There are so many books here. I'm so distracted," says Zainab Juma, head of brand for Penguin. Visiting the archive for the first time, her eyes alight on Mario Mazzucchelli's The Nun of Monza."You don't expect the blurb on the back of a book about a nun to contain the word "depravity' in the first 10 words, so now I just need to read this!" she says."Penguin's longevity is down to believing that books are for everyone. You don't get to be as gutsy - pioneering mainstream sci-fi in the 60s or putting out the first major bonkbuster in the 80s - unless you believe books are for everyone."And that's the story of Penguin." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Charming UK town where the French loved to holiday named top place to visit
A pretty UK seaside town is a popular destination for many - including French travellers and it's easy to see why so many people flock to the coastal area during the summer The UK has many charming towns - including this one, once thought to be a 'prestigious' holiday destination for French tourists. Folkestone in Kent is a town full of buzz and atmosphere, located in the south-east of England on the coast. Bustling with creative outlets, vast range of food, local beers and wines there is so much on offer for visitors. With beautiful beaches and independent shops it's a great destination for a long weekend away. Folkestone has also had some famous historic residents who once called it home, including Charles Dickens and Agatha Christie - which can all be found at the Folkestone museum. According to Visit South East England, Folkestone has seen lots of regeneration and development, with brand new shopping areas, leisure facilities and boutique hotels. The nearby designated coastal park of Samphire Hoe is a great place to wander, and is a haven for wild birds. The area's maritime history is well preserved too, through ancient remains and architecture. With an elegant clifftop promenade, a lower coastal park, a fishing harbour and Victorian cliff-tops, it's an idyllic town by the beach and offers many things to do. The booming economy has grown in the past 10 years. It's home to the world's first multi-storey skatepark, a New York Highline-inspired garden walkway, leading to the revitalised Harbour Arm, an annual Pride, and LGBTQ+ bookshop and even mini golf on the beach. It's also home to the iconic Mermaid Beach, which boasts a glorious stretch of pristine goodness with an eye-catching coastline which is in the shape of a mermaid's tail. There's loads to do in Mermaid Beach if you do plan on taking a trip. You could check out the Folkestone Mermaid sculpture located on the beach. There's also the Lower Leas Coastal Park which is one of the most visited tourist spots. This award-winning park has one of the largest free adventure playground for children, as well as beautiful gardens and forest treks, perfect for the whole family. Meanwhile Folkestone itself is gaining recognition as a hub for art and culture. There's the Folkestone Triennial which is an international public art festival that scatters sculptures and other artistic creations throughout the town. Folkestone is also one of the best connected towns on the coast, with direct rail links to London and is the ideal base for exploring the beautiful surrounding landscape - while still being easily accessible. Visit South East England recommended some of the best things to do in Folkestone including: Animal lovers should head straight for the Port Lympne Wild Animal Park. It's a great place to see dozens of exotic and rare species. The nearby Kent Battle of Britain Museum has the best collection of Battle of Britain memorabilia of any war museum in the UK (including dozens of aircraft). Take a ride on the miniature steam trains Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway. One impressed visitor took to TripAdvisor and said: "Folkestone have really made a shining example of what to do with a cliff area. After leaving the amazing boardwalk (again, genius idea) on the beach we walked right up and beyond the playground. The accessibility to the beach in several places was brilliant." While another chimed: "This is such a beautiful walk between the cliff and the beach. Nice flower beds and landscaped arrangements. It was also protected from the wind, which was quite strong when we were there."
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Prats aplenty in chaotic, witty whodunit
The Fire Station Theatre in Mosgiel. PHOTO: ODT FILES I admit to being a regular fan of TV "whodunits", so was very happy when invited to review the Sunday matinee of Death by Fatal Murder, a Taieri Dramatic Society production currently mid-season at Fire Station Theatre, Mosgiel. The play is loosely based on an Agatha Christie novel and is considered a spoof, one of a trilogy written by Peter Gordon. The entire action takes place in a very authentic 1940s drawing-room set (which reminded me of my grandmother's sitting-room) designed by production and stage manager Christine Wilson. Directed by Alison Ayers, the incompetent, bumbling Defective Inspector Pratt (Matt Brennan) is called to Bagshot House where he leads a murder investigation aided by Constable Thomkins (Tabitha Littlejohn) and local amateur sleuth Miss Joan Maple, a dear little old lady excellently played by Gloria Harris. The first act is an hour long and rather chaotic and convoluted but all the "red herrings" are dismissed in the second act and the storyline is brought to a climax. The cast of eight all have prominence, and their roles are appropriately portrayed throughout. Other characters are the owner of the house Nancy Allwright (Maxine Sannum), her husband Squadron Leader Roger Allwright (John Rowe), Ginny Farquhar (Hannah Schoullar), Enzo Garibaldi an Italian gigolo (Kaiser Coles) and Welsh clairvoyant Blodwyn Morgan (Lorraine Johnston). The inspector is indeed an incompetent blundering prat and Brennan's lines, heavily overlaid with malapropisms and puns were delivered with clarity and precision throughout, causing the attentive audience to groan or chuckle as appropriate. Blodwyn suggests conducting a seance and makes contact with a Scottish poltergeist called Dougal McDougal. This calls for her strong Welsh accent to alternate with that of the voice of an elderly Scotsman, creating more humour and chaos but giving clues to the eventual outcome of whodunit. Amateur theatrics are indeed alive and thriving in Mosgiel and this was an enjoyable presentation from a very dedicated cast and production team. The season continues later this week from Friday to Sunday.
