Review of The List of Adrian Messenger

Liberal John Huston tries very hard to subvert the tenets of a very conservative genre. On the one hand you have the usual - aristocratic setting, fear of outsiders, stiff upper lips, genius detective, plot resolution, restoration of order. On the other hand you have camp vaudeville, disruptions of sombre plot with games and mockery. Five great Hollywood stars in ludicrous makeup - see if you can spot them. Hardly conducive to caring about Agatha Christie style plot, especially when villain is revealed early on. Problem is plot is boring, and play not playful enough.