It has been only in the past year or so that I have become a fan of Agatha Christie, upon acquiring a collection of her whodunits. I find them to be wonderful escapism. Additionally, the latest production of The Hamburg Players educated me (via the extensive notes in the program), in an amusing way, about the snobbery and xenophobia of the English upper-classes of yesteryear. It seems that when they find themselves in an isolated situation abroad and among foreigners, murder occurs.

The Subject Was Roses is an American Play set right after World War 2 in 1946, debuted in 1964 and revived most recently in 2010. I saw it in 1966 while attending university in Washington, D.C. The living room and kitchen set and the costumes of this production are realistic to the point that the small refrigerator in it is a Frigidaire, an American brand, and when Nettie Cleary cooks waffles for her returning veteran son Timmy, the waffle iron that she uses works. Kudos to the designer Mathias Wardek. Timmy Cleary's American army uniform is correct right down to the overseas cap, the shoulder patch, the good conduct medal, the campaign ribbons and the Combat Infantry Badge on his chest.