In the light of my
much-stated love of the Regency and my frequent assertion that it’s my go to
genre, it occurred to me that I might have given the impression I rarely read
or watch anything else. Not so. Like many, I love a good thriller though I can’t
read anything containing horror as I’m left with bad dreams. A pity, because
there’s some superb writing which I have to avoid for this reason.
Lockdown has given us
the opportunity to re-watch many old favourites, some of which are rather dated
but still very watchable. I’m pretty much talking cosy-crime here though you
may have your own preferences of course. There are many series which fit the
description ‘cosy crime’ and I won’t list them all, even if I could remember
them.
 |
| Agatha Christie |
So I got to thinking
about Agatha Christie. Prolific, hugely readable, though I haven’t for years. I
wonder what happened to my collection? And a joy on the small screen. But…Miss
Marple or Poirot? For me there is only one Miss Marple, Joan Hickson
epitomising our aged but needle-sharp sleuth. And David Suchet made the role of
Hercule his own. It has left me unable or at least unwilling to watch any other
actor in those roles because to me they ARE Jane Marple and Hercule Poirot.
As I’m writing this, I realise how drawn I am to this particular genre when it’s portrayed on the television.
How many series, and I think they tend to be series, are produced for our
delectation. Do you like the modern ones or do you go back to the tried and
trusted? Or do you watch them all?
Back to the header of
this piece then. For you, is it Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot?
I’m off now to see if I
can find any Agatha Christie hidden away anywhere. See you next time.
Natalie
Also by Agatha Christie, though featuring neither Miss Marple nor Poirot, The Mousetrap, the world's longest running play, opened in London's West End in 1952 and ran continuously until March 2020 when stage performances had to be discontinued due to the COVID 19 pandemic. Let's hope it comes back soon
