Ottawa Little Theatre opened its 2026 season with The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, adapted by Mark Shanahan from Agatha Christie’s celebrated sixth novel featuring the meticulous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot.
The production immediately pulls the audience in through the extended opening narration of Dr. James Sheppard, the small‑town physician of King’s Abbot. Ian Gillies earns an early burst of applause for his confident, engaging delivery, setting the tone for a production that balances suspense with well‑timed humour under Greg Hancock’s assured direction.
Dr. Sheppard may take the literal pulse of the townsfolk, but it’s his sister Caroline (Teal Cochrane) who keeps her finger on the figurative one. At the turn of the 20th century, the postman and milkman were the original social networks, and Caroline treats every delivery as a fresh opportunity for intel.
The theme of small‑town gossip is reinforced when Roger Ackroyd’s stepson Ralph (Yazen Jaouni) begs Dr. Sheppard not to mention seeing him in town, quipping that he hopes the milkman didn’t spot him either.
The audience meets Hercule Poirot (Felipe Moura) in one of the play’s charming comedic beats, involving a pair of zucchinis lobbed over a hedge. The moment signals the production’s willingness to let humour breathe, even as the plot edges toward darker territory. These light touches, paired with crisp dialogue, keep the play lively despite its themes of suicide and murder.
When Dr. Sheppard is invited to dinner at Fernly Park, the stately home visible from nearly every vantage point in town, a reminder that little in King’s Abbot escapes notice, the full ensemble comes into view.
Clockwise from top left: Gertrude Ackroyd (Heather Bruce), Hercule Poirot (Teal Cochrane), Major Hector Blunt (Jonathan Morel), Flora Ackroyd (Sarah Parsons), Parker (Bob Hicks), Dr. James Sheppard (Ian Gilles), Caroline Sheppard (Teal Cochrane), Ursula (Sydney William), Helen Russell (Karine Charland), Inspector Raglan (Garret Lee), and Ralph Paton (Yazen Jaouni). Header image: Roger Ackroyd (Udit Sapre) with Dr. Sheppard.
Not long after returning home, the doctor is summoned back to the manor: Roger Ackroyd has been found dead. Inspector Raglan (Garret Lee) launches the investigation, though Caroline’s relentless tea‑time interrogations of anyone who crosses the threshold prove more thorough. The maid Flora (Sarah Parsons), convinced of Ralph’s innocence, turns to Poirot for help, setting the detective’s “little grey cells” into motion.
The staging is one of the production’s quiet triumphs. Clever use of the full width of the stage eliminates downtime for scene changes, with lighting design reinforcing distinct zones while keeping the long play moving at an engaging pace.
What follows is classic Christie: red herrings, shifting motives, class tensions, and a steady accumulation of clues that invite the audience to play detective. Strong performances across the 12‑member cast keep viewers guessing until the final twist is revealed. It concludes as it began, with a narration by Dr. Sheppard, landing with satisfying impact.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is theatre at its most enjoyable: witty, well‑paced, and anchored by confident performances that keep the audience’s own little grey cells working overtime.
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd runs until March 14, 2026. Tickets are selling quickly, with some performances already sold out. Memberships for Ottawa Little Theatre’s nine-play season guarantee your seats, and at $180, offer excellent value.
Visit ottawalittletheatre.com or call the box office at 613-233-8948 to reserve your seats.
