Bargain ticket deal for mystery fans with c2c

MYSTERY fans can enjoy a cut-price night at the theatre during this summer's major Agatha Christie festival if they travel with train company c2c.

A special offer allows them to show a c2c train ticket, valid for that day's travel, at the Westcliff Palace Theatre's box office and when they buy a ticket for that night's show, they can get another at half-price.

The epic 12-week festival, the brainchild of the theatre's Artistic Director TV star Roy Marsden, runs from Tuesday 8 May to Saturday 28 July and is the first time that all 23 of her plays will have been presented as a complete season.

Roy, famous for his role as telly sleuth Adam Dalgliesh, says this world first, being staged to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Agatha Christie's death, will help put the Palace on the map, as it will attract an international audience.

He said: Another first for the Palace Theatre is that the Festival will include a presentation of The Mousetrap, by special arrangement with Sir Stephen Waley-Cohen, in a semi-staged format, using all of the actors from the West End cast of the longest running play in the world. It's now in its 49th year in the West End and this is the first performance outside of London in the UK since the West End opening.

He added that Christie on stage often defies people's expectations. He said: In many cases Christie's plays differ to her novels and the films we know so well. In some cases even the major characters are different. As well as her full-length plays, the festival will also include one act plays, readings of TV and radio plays, lectures, seminars, a revue based on the life of Agatha Christie, plus a number of other events taking place in and around Westcliff.

c2c Marketing Manager Sara Lane said: This promotion offers theatre goers and Agatha Christie fans savings of up to £7.50, as well as providing a convenient way to travel to the theatre by train, as our station at Westcliff is close to the Palace.

We are very pleased to be teaming up with the Palace Theatre to help promote this prestigious festival. It's great for the whole community and we are keen to see events like this given the exposure and support they deserve, at the same time as promoting the convenience and benefits of leisure travel with c2c.

The c2c half-price ticket deal is valid for all the Agatha Christie plays in the festival apart from The Mousetrap.

For further details of the festival, contact the Palace Theatre on 01702 342564, and for details of c2c services, train times and fare offers, phone 08457 678765.