And Then There Were None

The Kings Theatre in Newmarket served as an ideal venue for this captivating whodunit play. Originally published in 1939, this mystery novel, one of the best-selling books globally, made its way to the West End in 1943.

The play is set on an island off the Devonshire coast. Alan Gleed and his team designed a straightforward yet effective set: a balcony in the background with a view of the sea, accessible through large French doors and windows. This backdrop framed a 1930s sitting room beautifully furnished with period-appropriate pieces. At the centre of the room was a small table displaying ten wooden soldier figurines, adding to the intrigue of the setting and plot, especially as one-by-one the soldiers disappeared.

As the play began, we were introduced to Mr. Rogers, the butler (Nicholas Frankau), and his wife, the cook (April Murfet). Initially, their rather exaggerated performances while welcoming guests to the island made me wonder if the play would veer into parody. However, they quickly settled into their roles as more characters arrived.

It became apparent that all the seemingly unrelated guests had been invited to this picturesque island by a mysterious figure known as "U N Owen." The island was eventually unveiled as a place of judgment, one many of them would not leave.

Alice Turner’s portrayal of Vera Claythorne, the secretary, was particularly noteworthy. Her character's transformation from a self-assured organizer at the start to a nervous wreck by the end was highly convincing. She arrived on the island with Philip Lombard, played by Alex Schosland, who delivered a credible performance as a former Captain, though his tendency to avert eye contact with fellow actors occasionally distracted.

Jon London’s depiction of Anthony Marston, a young, thrill-seeking, arrogant toff, was thoroughly enjoyable. While he was an audience favourite, some of the other characters on the island despised him. Although it was part of the plot, I regretted that Mr. Marston was one of the first to meet his fate.

David Philpott's performance as William Blore stood out to me. He provided a fitting comedic start as the Irish-accented 'Davis,' concealing his true identity as ‘Blore’ from London and ex-CID. Almost narrating the events, he updated the audience on the unfolding drama, maintaining the plot’s momentum convincingly.

Steven Fenn played a crucial role in unravelling the guests' destinies as the retired judge, Sir Lawrence Wargrave. His portrayal was fittingly stern, effectively delivering numerous lengthy plot explanations. As the story progressed, his character slipped into insanity. Though he required a cue for his concluding speech, his performance remained impressive overall.

Dr. Edward Armstrong (Joe Ward), General John Mackenzie (Oliver Squires), Emily Brent (Karen Humphreys), and Fred Narracott (Chris Brighty) all delivered commendable performances. The cast showcased strong acting skills, with natural dialogues and steady pacing throughout. Some nice subtle costume and lighting changes to depict the passage of time.

Kudos to Kathryn Schosland on her directorial debut and to her co-director John Mitchell. As noted in the programme, this play is challenging to produce as a serious thriller and not a comedy, but ultimately, I felt that the cast and production team delivered a credible Agatha Christie whodunit. The blend of light and dark elements maintained the mystery until the very end.

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