Nichola McAuliffe...

is to play Agatha Christie in a York Theatre Royal premiere production of Murder, Margaret and Me, which will run Friday, February 17 to Saturday, March 4.

In the early 1960s two strong national treasures nearly ensured the Miss Marple films were almost never made. Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie didn't want actor Margaret Rutherford (who will be played by Susie Blake) to bring her fabled spinster to life and Rutherford was mortified at the prospects of sullying her reputation with something as sordid as murder.

Philip Meek's play looks at the real reason why the acting legend and "the funniest woman alive" didn't want to take on the role that made her celebrated across the world. This premiere production will form part of a year-long programme of work put together by an all-female panel which aims to redress the imbalance in women’s roles in both theatrical work and the industry as a whole. These selections will run alongside York Theatre Royal’s spring and autumn 2017 seasons.

McAuliffe has also appeared in Blithe Spirit at York Theatre Royal working with director Damian Cruden and recently appeared on television in ITV’s lavish series Victoria as the Duchess of Cumberland. Blake has appeared in Alan Ayckbourn productions at Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre, but is best-known fas the sarcastic continuity announcer on Victoria Wood As Seen On TV in the 1980s.

They are joined by Indira Joshi as The Spinster, whose character narrates and leads the story, whilst bearing a certain resemblance to the legendary sleuth Miss Marple.

The production will be directed by York Theatre Royal Artistic Director Damian Cruden and designed by Dawn Allsopp.

* Tickets are £12 to £30 (£1.50 transaction fee per booking). Box Office: 01904-623568 or yorktheatreroyal.co.uk