And Then There were None

Unlike many writers of drama who tend to bring out the best in their characters, Agatha Christie is not afraid to bring out the worst in hers. A perfect case in point is And Then There Were None set on a remote island. Eight guests and two servants and a creepy nursery rhyme called "Ten Little Soldiers," which tells how each little soldier gets bumped off. When the guests start dying, one by one, the plot thickens, because the murderer must be one of them. 

Graham Royston’s set design, built by a large team of SJP’s members was excellent. The backdrop of rough seas was absolutely splendid. Congratulations to the scenic artists involved.  Good props, set dressing and costumes which were all appropriate to period.  Good lighting design by aforesaid Mr Royston, dimming nicely for the upcoming storm for which the lightning and sound effects were good. I was impressed with the way the sound of the sea and gulls built when anyone went in or out of the double doors in the first act but sadly the effect disappeared during act two. 

This play has a large cast of eleven, ten of whom are pretty stereotypical characters. Everyone managed it with just the right amount of stiff-upper-lip Englishness. It would have been so easy to give in to the temptation to go “over the top” (although a couple weren't as successful as they could have been in holding back).  The pace was pretty good throughout and the tension built well and kept the audience guessing as to who would be the next victim. 

Two very commanding performances came from Jon Bolderson as Philip Lombard and Fay Childs  as Vera Claythorne. Both were excellent. Their final ‘last man/woman standing’ scene was very well done indeed. George Sigsworth (Justice Wargrave) gave a well controlled and commanding performance. I would have liked to have seen him in the chair or on the settee for his ‘death’. The impact was a bit lost with him almost offstage slumped in the corner.  Rosemary Eason (Miss Emily Brent) whilst constantly knitting showed her character was definitely a force to be reckoned with.    A fine performance.   It was good to see the return of Dean Ward to a SJP cast making a good but all too brief appearance as Anthony Marston - the first to be dispensed with.  Also Tom Bonser, another actor we haven't seen for a while, as William Blore. I think this is the largest role I have seen Tom play but he certainly made a grand job of it.  I am not sure I would want a doctor like Stu Walpole’s nervy Dr Armstrong. Although overdoing the nervous energy a bit he created a believable character.  Graham Allen nicely irascible as General Mackenzie ultimately showed his loneliness as a widower well. I would have liked to have seen him deliver his final speech from his chair rather than on his feet almost face on to the audience.  David Wilson was nicely unobtrusive as Rogers, quietly going about his duties of opening doors, carrying trays, cases and coats in a very butler-ish manner.  Barbara Oxley as Mrs Rogers, didn’t have much chance to get her teeth into her character as her appearance was almost as brief as that of Anthony Marston. Making his SJP debut John Austin played Fred Narracott. This was a small role, appearing briefly at the beginning of the play. Utilising a good local accent John created a likeable and amusing character well.

Direction by Marian Caine and Kathy Cutmore, apart from the odd brief bits of masking which, with ten actors on stage at some points was understandable, was good. They  understood the period of the play noticeably with little touches such as men standing when a lady entered or exited as they would have done in those days. Being a very wordy play the pace, though good, did fluctuate a bit.  Overall a nicely stylised production, full of mystery and intrigue, with some strong performances, touches of humour here and there and a great set. Congratulations on another successful St John’s Players’ production. 

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