NEXT month Thurrock Courts Players will bring one of Agatha Christie's most popular mystery stories, A Murder is Announced, to the Thameside Theatre – a show they last performed in 1985, exactly 40 years ago!

When a strange advertisement appears in the personal column of the Chipping Cleghorn Gazette announcing that a murder will take place at Little Paddocks, the residents of this impressive stately home are rightly concerned. Why would a murderer give away the date, time and location of their crime?

Enter Miss Marple to solve the mystery, ably assisted by Inspector Craddock and Sergeant Mellors. No-one is above suspicion and, as mixed motives and concealed identities begin to emerge, it becomes apparent that each of the house's occupants have secrets to hide. Who can keep their story straight and who will slip up and reveal the truth?

The audience's love for Miss Marple has not faded since she first appeared in print almost 100 years ago; with the cream of British acting royalty having appeared as, or alongside her, through the years.

The cast.

Jill Snelling, who plays the much-loved super-sleuth, said: "It's an honour to be following in the footsteps of such iconic Miss Marples – Joan Hickson, Geraldine McEwan et al – I hope to do them justice."

This classic Christie whodunit will have audiences guessing till the very end. A perfect start to the Halloween season, the show runs from 15-17 October 2025. Click here for ticket information and to book.