And Then There Were None

A really popular choice with Agatha Christie’s best selling novel of all time adapted into a play and playing to very good audiences in Clacton it was a pleasure to watch on a very dull grey day.

A cast of twelve with some familiar faces returning for this production and one new member,it was a strong line up cast wise.

With just one scene in Act 1 and four in Act 2 the tension built very well with the characters being “bumped off” one by one.

So many quirky and well played characters from Rogers and Mrs Rogers the two house staff ,played well by Ed Talbot and Fiona Heaton, through to a retired Judge,a retired Captain, a retired General an ex Policeman,a rather correct spinster and so the list goes on….

Lisa Waterford as Vera Claythorne was good as a hired secretary gaining confidence as the play progressed.A tendency to speak her dialogue rather similar whatever the situation, but far more scope in the second act when Lisa gained rather more modulation in her dialogue in some really scary situations and her dialogue was much more alive.

Frank Bye as the tortured General MacKenzie had a solitary feel about him which was so right in his character, dwelling on past tragedy’s as the atmosphere in the house took his mind back to sad events in his life.

Bob Sangwell was efficient as Dr Sangwell with a convincing character, and Keith Sippitt as the sadist Judge really gave a credible feel to the rather macabre twist at the end of Act two.

James Hooker as a rather dashing about town guy Anthony Marston, and Shaun Potter as William Blore as a ex policemen added to the cast .Both characters were well played.

Vicky Tearle as the very correct Miss Emily Brent, or so she liked everyone to assume, was very good in her role and looked so good in her costumes.

Newcomer Alex Bass gave a good account of Captain Philip Lombard with great dialogue,confidence, and relaxed on stage, and did well in his debut performance with CADS.

As always a good set with open space for the action which was considerable in Act 2.Good lighting and sound which is always essential in seeting the feel of the production.

It is always important to get the wardrobe as near to the period when the action takes place, and I did feel that with the play set in the 1930’s a little more attention was needed.The look of the 1930’s was very stylised and very smart with both ladies and gentlemen.

An excellent choice of show and a very enjoyable production.

Best wishes for your progamme for 2016 which I await with interest and many thanks for your hospitality and welcome.

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