IN THIS Agatha Christie whodunnit – Sam Dickinson’s directorial debut – Dr John Cristow is looking forward to a relaxing weekend at a friend’s country house, but sees his plans thwarted, firstly by the presence of a secret lover and then by an old flame.

Daniel Farrell stars as the indemand doctor, matched by Elle Wolf as his (apparently) doting wife, Gerda.

Felicity Cooke acts well, if a little quietly, as the host’s cousin Henrietta, snatching clandestine kisses with the doctor.

The slow-pace is livened-up considerably with the appearance of another ex, film-starlet Veronica Craye, (an impressive cameo role from Georgie Moody).

Helen Wood has the best lines as dizzy Lady Lucy.

The denouement allows Wolf to shed her sheep’s clothing and steal the show, but it’s a patchy offering overall.

A nicely-dressed set, with appropriate period wardrobe and hair, but too many changes from the Poirot original to satisfy the aficionados.