And Then There Were None

Ten strangers are lured to Soldier Island. All are taken by surprise when an unseen host announces a dark secret about each of them. Soon after, one of the strangers is murdered. After concluding that they are alone on the island, they realise not only that the murderer is among them, but that they’ll strike again.
Director, David Hardman, has clearly identified the core element of any good murder mystery: tension. As each body drops, the tension between the remaining characters heightens. 
The eleven strong cast was excellent as we were introduced to each character and we were drawn into the mystery of their presence at the house.Every character was very well defined and each actor played their roles convincingly as their pasts were revealed. The pace of the play was first-class as the tension built with very good diction and projection from all the actors. Congratulations to David Hardman, for bringing out all the nuances and facets of each character as they successfully interacted with each other.
John Wise, as if being producer wasn’t enough,  is intimidating as Lawrence Wargrave, commanding the attention of characters and audience members. But David Tomlinson’s Philip Lombard is one character that refuses to play by someone else’s rules. His ever-present audacity and relaxed outlook are refreshing attributes among the distressed ensemble.
Spinster Emily Brent and resourceful secretary Vera Claythorne offered two standout performances of the evening played by Kathy Jackman and Lauren Varley respectively. The daggers between the two were relished and both demonstrated fine craft as actresses offering two  beautifully delivered acts throughout.
John Wright has a special challenge portraying the aged general descending into dementia – I honour actors who can make it difficult to believe that the words they utter were ever written down and John did so with aplomb.

All the guests had arrived on the island courtesy of the ferryman, Freda Narracott. Gill Stead played this part of a rugged boat captain very well, even though the part was written for a man. They were welcomed by the butler, Thomas Rogers, played by Damian Burras, and his wife, the cook Edith Rogers, played by Ann Bradley. Thomas was a rather pompous character and his wife a stubborn and dogmatic woman, both played really well by Damian and Ann, who were well paired. 

Victoria Wood, as Ann Marston was fiery and quick tempered and looking for a fight after a road rage incident in which she nearly ran Dr Armstrong, played by Lisa Jones-Tinsley, off the road. Lisa portrayed the doctor as a pious and over earnest figure. Tony Clegg, as Detective William Blore was thoughtful and pondering, always looking for clues .

The set, depicting the living room of a house off the coast of Devon in the early 1930’s was well dressed and captured the era really well. It was an excellent idea to use a stage extension. Congratulations to the set designers, David Hardman & John Wise, and the large team of people who built, painted and dressed it.

I have to be honest, I had a peripheral eye constantly watching the soldier figures on the fireplace, knowing that one will suspiciously disappear after each death, I was impressed with how I never noticed a single one being removed, much to my frustration.

John Barker, Sound, and Andrew Horton & Tony Clegg, Lighting, provided excellent effects which were essential for the success of the action and the building of tension.

Pam Leach, Stage Manager, and her assistants, brought all these things together on the night to ensure that everything ran smoothly.

Thank you to everybody at Burley for providing us with a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment – especially the alternative ending, which took us by surprise.

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