Agatha Christie has long been an inspiration for crime thrillers for decades, with many films and theatre productions lifting directly from her range of fictional whodunnit novels. But it is not very often that we get the chance to experience Agatha Christie’s own works, live on stage. That is, until now!
And Then There Were None, the 1943 play from Agatha Christie that is based on the 1939 novel of the same name, is set on Soldier Island off the coast of Devon, in a mansion atop of a cliff. Eight unsuspecting guests have been invited to stay. A married couple employed as the domestics to prepare the property, are also in attendance, leaving a total of 10. However, the patron of the house is nowhere to be seen, and the guests are left wondering why they are all there.
It would soon become apparent as a gramophone recording accuses all 10 of murder and that the crimes of their past have gone unpunished. And in classic Agatha Christie fashion, the murder mystery evolves into more murders! Leaving the guests on edge as they investigate both past and present events, while all scared that they’ll be next!
Hosted at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre and directed by Robyn Nevin, the stage is set as an open living room that opens to a beautifully paved courtyard that overlooks the ocean below. The décor speaks of wealth, with clean and simplistic yet decedent furniture. In the back corner, there’s the rear of a dining room, and on the opposite side is a single door to a room. There is also a staircase leading upstairs and a bar in the front corner of the living room. A bar that gets plenty of use. In the middle of the living room, there’s a black coffee table with 10 marble statues arranged at its centre. Their purpose, soon be revealed…
Each of the 10 characters are portrayed by a stellar cast. The house’s domestic employees of Mr. and Mrs. Rogers, played by Grant Piro and Christen O’Leary, respectively. Vera Claythorne, a secretary employed by the owner of the property to play as the hostess, portrayed by Mia Morrissey. Tom Stokes as former military captain, Philip Lombard. Eden Falk as Dr. Armstrong, a practitioner who specialises in medicine of the nervous system. Jennifer Flowers as the old, ‘traditional woman’ Emily Brent, one who is very easily offended. Nicholas Hammond as respectable retired war hero, General MacKenzie. Peter O’Brien as South African man, Davis. Jack Bannister as the thrill seeking, car enthusiast, Anthony Marston. Retired Judge, Sir Lawrence Wargrave portrayed by Anthony Phelan. And the island’s boat captain, Fred Narracott portrayed by Chris Parker.
Not one performer outshone the other. They each play their respective characters powerfully and flawlessly. And as the mystery unravels and the story progresses, the characters’ and their ever-growing suspicions of each other is superbly exciting and fun to watch. With the characters’ flaws and secrets on gradual full display, the equality and strength in the cast and their delivery made it harder and harder to decipher who the real villain is. A true testament to each actor’s ability as a performer.
The aforementioned set was stunning and simplistic. Designed by Dale Ferguson, It was also very clever to have an ‘outside’ area. Each time a character would step out onto the balcony, the audio sounded like they were actually outside, listening to them through the glass. Ferguson also curated the impressive costuming for each of the characters. The dinner suits looked spectacular, even garnering some gasps from the audience. Trudy Dalgleish on lighting design expertly illuminates the single scene stage and even puts on a stellar lightning storm that is paired with convincing sound effects from Paul Charlier.
The only flaw I could mention was that it was hard to understand what the actors were saying at times. Although, I feel this is more a technical issue than the actors themselves. Perhaps the mixing of their microphones needed some tweaking. Although, I was also sitting in the Dress Circle, so perhaps it was the acoustics. Either way, it didn’t detract from the otherwise faultness and mesmerising performance.
The story itself is as classic as it gets. I was left trying to solve the case and second guessing all the way, right up until the end. Just when I thought I had the culprit pegged, it was ripped out from under me. It was also very entertaining to hear the excited murmurs swirl around the Comedy Theatre at the end of each scene, with everyone discussing the new information we had all learnt when the curtain lowered. It was as if we had collectively become detectives in our own right.
And Then There Were None is a very exciting and entertaining night out at the theatre. And like all works by Agatha Christie, it is an experience like no other. A roller-coaster ride of crime and thrills that you cannot speak about to anyone, unless they themselves have seen it! An experience that you really can only have once, and that is what makes And Then There Were None so unique. If I could forget about the big reveal, I would happily see it again!
Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is proudly presented by John Frost for Crossroads Live and is currently playing at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre until Sunday March 23. The production then heads to Sydney in May, Perth in June, before finishing off in Adelaide in August.
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://andthentherewerenone.com.au
Photography by Jeff Busby.
