“And Then There Were None” at The Wharf Theatre, Devizes, April 8th-13th 2024

By Mick Brian.
Images by Chris Watkins Media

Mention the name of the author “Agatha Christie” and most people will immediately think of her two main detectives, Hercule Poirot and Miss Marple. But Christie wrote more than just crime mysteries featuring these two characters … her prolific creative palmares include many stories without these protagonists. Arguably her most famous such tale was published in 1939 with a title that it is unacceptable to use in these far more enlightened times. In 1985 in the UK that title was amended to “Ten little Indians”.

During World War II, she used that book to produce a stage play, named for the already re-named US title “And Then There Were None”. The book’s grisly ending was amended for this stage play, in an attempt, allegedly, to provide a lighter feel-good ending during the dark days of 1943, though later an alternative ending matching the book’s was written. Directors are free to choose whichever ending they wish…

Having read both the book and now the play, it must be said that the book stands up to scrutiny far better than the play does. There are some rather glaring oddities in the plotline of the play that just don’t withstand a very deep forensic review. One rather gets the impression Christie may have been asked by “somebody” to create the play as a matter of public levity at a sombre time in history, and do so quickly, and as such the play itself seems at times quite slapdash. Key areas of the book are omitted in the play or included in one ending and not the other.

That all said the story is a rollicking one, fast paced and leaves the audience guessing right until the very end (unless they have seen the play, or films, or read the book of course!). And I must stress that the limitations of the play itself as above do not reduce the impact or the Wharf’s performances one iota. The pace is so frenetic that any possible plot oddities probably pass unnoticed as the audience is taken on the roller coaster ride of ten people on a secluded island all being murdered one by one by an unknown assassin.

Rose Fitter’s direction, ably assisted by John Winterton as assistant director and the Wharf’s excellent tech crew have created two and quarter hours of gut churning intrigue and suspense. Costumes by Gill Barnes and her team are totally spot on for a 1939 house party of “rich folks”, waited on by two domestic staff. The set is a classic one room country house murder mystery replete – of course – with “ten little solder boys” and their poem quite rightly literally taking centre stage. There are some lovely, clever stage management touches (Beth Ramsay) throughout the show but to let on here would spoil the impact of them …

The cast of eleven deliver Christie’s lines with panache, aplomb, and tempo. And what a cast! Many familiar faces to Wharf regulars mixed with a new face or two. I shan’t go into details of each cast member here because this review would become “War and Peace” length, but its is more than fair to say that each and every character is fully believable, from obstreperous boatman to deferential staff, hardened and cynical, or repentant, ex-army and ex-police officers, naïve secretary, puerile playboy, quasi-evangelical bigot, stressed doctor and sardonic judge.

The dress rehearsal wasn’t devoid of a couple of slips but given the high pace and quick-fire interactions of the script in a community production that is maybe understandable.

What is thoroughly commendable is that three characters – Claythorne, Lombard and Blore – between them have 60% of all the lines in the play, and with Wargrave 70%.

Not that this diminishes the rest of the cast – the performance thrives as mentioned above on the superb characterisations displayed by everybody involved and the acting displayed is absolutely top notch. The wharf’s own intimacy aligns itself particularly well as usual – those in the front row particularly are literally just inches from mayhem, arguments, and corpses!

Finally to that ending… as the opening paragraphs mention there are two endings available for this play. So, which is it that this performance uses? Well… you’ll have to come along and see it to find out! But on that note – this run of six nights is sold out, so if you have a ticket, you are in for treat. If you didn’t manage to procure one there is always the chance of a return but after all… with regards to tickets…

And Then There Were None…

CAST
Narracott                          Frank Jones
Mrs. Rogers                     Carolyn Miles
Rogers                               Chris Smith
Vera Claythorne            Anna Leyden
Lombard                           Paul Snook
Marston                             Fraser Normington
Blore                                   Ian Diddams
Mackenzie                        Steve Keyes
Emily Brent                      Sian Stables
Wargrave                           Pete Wallis
Dr. Armstrong                Julie Atkinson-Baker

“And Then There Were None” is performed at 1930 each evening Monday 8^th April to Saturday 13^th April 2024 at the Wharf Theatre, Devizes.