ACTRESS Dawn Steele stole the show last night in Agatha Christie's play Verdict- showing at the Wycombe Swan all week.

The Agatha Christie Theatre Company's new production is touring with a bevy of stars, used to the stage and screen, making a very entertaining evening.

But it is Steele, who stars in Wild at Heart and previously Monarch of the Glen, who really grabs the audience's attention as stern yet loving Lisa Koletzky.

Her accent is realistic and she plays the worried cousin, conflicted by her own feelings, with ease.

The story follows the idealistic Professor Karl Hendryk who seems to put his morals above everything else.

Living with his invalid wife, Anya, and cousin Lisa the family are thrown into turmoil when Anya dies. But the question is did she commit suicide or did someone kill her?

Set in just one room during the whole play the cast work brilliantly together and there is never a dull moment.

Ali Bastian is fantastic as Helen Rollander who falls in love with the professor and makes him give her private tutorial.

Robert Duncan also gives a gripping performance as the kind yet misguided Professor Hendryk.

Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis takes the role of Lester Cole and Elizabeth Power (Eastenders) plays nosey Mrs Roper to perfection.

Peter Byrne plays Sir Wiliam Rollander and Mark Wynter is a breath of fresh air as Dr Stoner.

The play opened in the West End in 1958 and ran for 250 shows. It is a must for Christie fans as the audience is let in on the secret as the story unfolds.

But whether you are a Christie fan or not with a cast like this it is one not to be missed.

Verdict is at the Wycombe Swan until March 19 at 7.30pm each evening with Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm. Tickets range from £20-£28. Call 01494512000 or go to www.wycombeswan.co.uk.