"The Murder on the Links" at Theatre in the Round

For this year's Agatha Christie play, Theatre in the Round has commissioned an adaptation of her third novel The Murder on the Links, the second featuring famed detective Hercule Poirot. This is essentially a sequel to their 2022 Christie play, a new adaptation of her first novel The Mysterious Affair at Styles, with the same playwright Kate Danley, director Linda Paulsen, and two leads. Everything about this production is so delightful, I would be happy if they continued with this team to adapt all of the Poirot/Hastings stories. But for now we can enjoy this fictional murder (or murders?) on the links at the oldest theater in Minneapolis. The show continues weekends through December 21, and Christie plays are always popular at TRP, so don't wait too long to get your tickets to this counter-holiday programming.

Minnesota Fringe Festival 2024: "Gasthaus"

Day: 6

Show: 21

Title: Gasthaus

Category: Drama / Original Music / Historical content

By: TROMPE L'OEIL

Written by: Kevin Bowen & Lynn Bowen

Location: Phoenix Theater

Summary: The story of an inn on the border between West and East Germany not too long after WWII.

Highlights: Inspired by a true story, the playwrights tell the fictional tale of a family trying to run their inn and dealing with border patrol inside their home. It's a compelling story, if a bit cliche, in which the West German daughter falls in love with one of the East German soldiers. The charming German-themed set, authentic period costumes, and live accordion music help set the scene, with the cast speaking Germlish (English with a few German words thrown in like Nein, Guten Morgan, Ost, and Danke - the language I used to speak with my friends when studying abroad in Austria). Directed by Amanda Weis, the cast is talented and engaging in this look at a fascinating time in history in which families and friends were separated by an arbitrary border (which has happened a lot throughout the history of this planet). An overall enjoyable show, even if the ending is a bit too easy and abrupt.

Read all of my Fringe mini-reviews here.