Murder, mystery and suspense are coming to Wallingford as the Sinodun Players prepare to stage their Agatha Christie festival in October.

Agatha Christie The whodunnit celebrations have been organised to coincide with the 50th year since Agatha Christie - who lived at Winterbrook House, in Wallingford, and is buried at St Mary's Church, Cholsey - became president of the Sinodun Players, Wallingford's amateur dramatics group.

She held the post for 25 years from 1951 until she died, aged 85, in 1976.

Two weeks of entertainment with classic sleuth M. Hercule Poirot and inquisitive spinster Miss Marple are planned at the Corn Exchange between October 16-31.

There will be screenings of classic Christie films, performances of her 1960 play Go Back For Murder, and informative talks on her life and crimes.

Many of the current Sinodun Players recall seeing the great dame of detective fiction in the audience at theatre productions.

Corn Exchange manager John Warburton said: "I remember when Agatha Christie used to sit in the front row.

"It was in the 1960s, before we acquired the Corn Exchange, and we were putting on our plays at the Masonic Hall.

"She would sit there in a fur coat, and would be given a box of chocolates and a bunch of flowers.

"Sometimes she'd write a short note afterwards saying how much she'd enjoyed the performance."

Having Agatha Christie's name on the headed paper often meant the Sinodun Players could call in favours from London's West End and borrow stage props.

The festival includes a lecture by Jared Cade on 'The Truth Behind Agatha Christie's Disappearance.

The author and playwright disappeared for 11 days in December, 1926. Her first husband, Col Archibald Christie, was cast in the role of suspected murderer until she was found staying under a false name at a hotel in Harrogate, apparently suffering from amnesia.

She divorced Col Christie in 1928, and later married archaeologist Sir Max Mallowan.

From October 22 to October 27, there will be performances of her play Go Back For Murder, billed as a "strikingly original whodunnit".

And between October 28-31, four film classics will be unreeled: Witness for the Prosecution, Endless Night, The Mirror Crack'd and Appointment with Death.

For tickets and details call 01491 825000.

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