Go Back For Murder
A murder investigation across the years in two acts from Five Little Pigs
2 hours 20 minutes
10
Synopsis
After receiving a letter from beyond the grave, Carla Crale believes her mother, who died in prison, was wrongly convicted of her father’s murder. In a passionate attempt to clear her name, she persuades those present on the day of her father’s death to return to the scene of the crime and ‘go back’ 15 years to recount their version of events.
An unusual take on the traditional murder mystery, the action of the play slips seamlessly from past to present, examining the danger of relying on personal testimony warped by time, prejudice and perception. By studying each suspect’s testimony, and the various inconsistencies between them, the drama arrives at a disturbing and terrible truth.
Play information
Location
The action of Act One takes place in several locations, including the offices of Justin Fogg and Philip Blake, a hotel suite, the bedsit of Miss Williams and an oriental restaurant. Act Two takes place at Alderbury, a house in the West of England.
Running time
2 hours 20 minutes
Character list
- Number of male characters: 6
- Number of female characters: 4
- Justin Fogg
- Turnball
- Carla
- Jeff Rogers
- Philip Blake
- Meredith Blake
- Lady Melksham
- Miss Williams
- Angela Warren
- Caroline Crale
- Amyas Crale
More about this play
The play was adapted by Christie from her novel Five Little Pigs, which saw her not only change the title to Go Back For Murder but also remove the character of Hercule Poirot entirely. In the play, Poirot's function is replaced by a young lawyer, Justin Fogg, son of the lawyer who led Caroline Crale's murder case.
A subtle and ingenious detective story, an elegiac love story and a masterful example of storytelling technique, with five separate accounts of one devastating event. Christie's greatest achievement.
