Simon Shepherd's latest role is simply to die for: the former star of ITV's Peak Practice will soon arrive in Windsor for Murder On Air, a performance of three radio plays by Agatha Christie.
The 51-year-old actor will form part of a rotating cast of special guests, which also includes Judge John Deed stars Jenny Seagrove and Martin Shaw, Glynis Barber (Dempsey & Makepeace), Roy Marsden (PD James' Adam Dagliesh Chronicles), Belinda Lang (2point4 Children), Hugh Fraser (Agatha Christie's Poirot), Geraldine James (Band Of Gold), Nicky Henson (A Touch Of Frost), Rosalind Ayres (Titanic, Gods And Monsters) and Martin Jarvis (The Forsyte Saga).
For his appearance on Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29, Simon will star alongside actress Susan George (Straw Dogs). The pair will read Christie's plays, which include Personal Call, The Yellow Iris and Butter In A Lordly Dish, in the style of their original BBC broadcasts.
"We even have people getting out the coconut shells and doing all the horse and carriage sound effects," laughs Simon, who lives in the West Country with his wife, award-winning costume designer Alexandra Byrne, and their four children. "I think people will love these stories. They're funny and fast and very charming to watch."
Simon tells me he's something of an Agatha Christie fan himself, and by happy coincidence has starred in "a Miss Marple and some Poirots, as well as a Cluedo-type show alongside Susan George as Mrs Peacock."
The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School graduate adds: "I love Christie's stories because they are very well-made thrillers that just keep you going quite delightfully down the red herring path. But then you finally discover you weren't right after all. That's what still makes them so popular even today."
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"I think people will love these stories. They’re funny and fast and very charming to watch."
Simon Shepherd
The Agatha Christie Theatre Company presents Murder On Air from Tuesday, April 22 to Saturday, May 3 at the Theatre Royal Windsor. Performances 8pm. Matinees Wednesday, April 23, 2.30pm, Thursdays 2.30pm and Saturdays 4.45pm. Tickets: 01753 853888 or www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk
The Show's All-Star Cast:
Tuesday, April 22 and Wednesday, April 23
Jenny Seagrove is reunited with Martin Shaw, her
co-star in Judge John Deed
Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25
Glynis Barber (star of Dempsey & Makepeace) joins Roy Marsden (star of PD James' Adam Dalgleish Chronicles)
Saturday, April 26
Hugh Fraser, best known as Captain Hastings in ITV's Agatha Christie's Poirot, stars alongside his real-life wife, Belinda Lang (Two Point Four Children)
Monday, April 28 and Tuesday, April 29
TV and theatre star Susan George stars with Simon Shepherd (Peak Practice)
Wednesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 1
Award-winning actress Geraldine James (Band Of Gold) teams up with Nicky Henson (A Touch Of Frost)
Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3
Rosalind Ayres (Titanic, Gods and Monsters) is joined by her real-life husband Martin Jarvis (The Forsyte Saga)
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