A Murder Is Announced, Wyvern Theatre, Swindon On until Saturday. Tickets from 01793 524481

Swindon was given a quintessentially English treat in the shape of a stylish Agatha Christie drama, performed by a polished professional cast who obviously relished the chance of stepping back in time and embracing the language, nuances and behaviours of middle class England.

A Murder Is Announced is a Miss Marple mystery that has been staged many times, as well as filmed and televised, yet Middle Ground Theatre still managed to inject a freshness and vivacity into their new production to a full and appreciative audience on opening night.

Judy Cornwell, best known as Daisy in TV's Keeping Up Appearances, made her own mark as the indomitable old lady sleuth. Forget the bumbling, Miss Mouse Marple of Joan Hickman or the gentle charm of Geraldine McEwan's offering, Judy strides on stage all private school teacher full of acerbic wit and jolly hockey sticks. She is the perfect antagonist for Inspector Craddock played by Tom Butcher, who was PC Steve Loxton in The Bill for seven years. Tom plays the straight man to Judy's sharp comedy, apart from the occasional bounce back, giving a delightful ping pong of humour.

But the slapstick is left to the maid, Mitzi, played by Lydia Piechowiak, whose TV credits include Diary of A Call Girl and What Women Want. Mitzi was the darling of the Swindon audience, raising a laugh every time she uttered her crisp one-liners.

For me it was Patrick Neyman, playing Patrick Simmons, who truly grasped the nettle of a Christie play. It would have been so easy to ham it up and no one would have batted an eyelid, but he played to the era, was generous to the rest of the cast even when he was centre stage, and was thoroughly believable. Patrick has mainly trod the stage boards but also starred as Jamie in The New 22 film. He is one to watch.

Diane Fletcher, who has been in copious films, West End and TV performances such as House of Cards, Endeavour, and Morse, is on stage for practically the whole play.

She is a consummate actress sweeping across her part with panache and pearls among a beautifully constructed set with a clever filmatic trick to showcase the change from night to day.

No give aways about the plot except to say it is as twisty-turny as any Agatha Christie fan could wish and plum full of sharp dialogue. - Flicky Harrison