Follow
North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide
And Then There Were None
Newcastle Theatre Royal
Until 1st August
2015 and then on tour
Agatha
Christie wrote And Then There Were None
in 1939 and shortly afterwards she adapted it for the stage. It is deservedly
regarded as a whodunit masterpiece. Through her craft as a storyteller she is
able to quickly introduce the eight new arrivals on the island off the Devon coast. They are welcomed
to the amazing house on the island by the butler Rogers and his wife Ethel. As
a production, this show works because each actor is believable in their part
without being over the top. The beauty of having ten people in the house is
that there are more suspects than a game of Cluedo. The two intervals buzz with
theories being discussed by the audience. In short: a quality murder
mystery.
 |
| Photo: Pamela Raith |
Adorning
the Theatre Royal stage was a star studded cast, each holding their own.
Emmerdale’s Verity Rushworth plays the young and competent secretary Vera
Claythorne. She is joined by Emmerdale Farm (as it was called back then) legend
Frazer Hines as the professional butler Rogers. Joining them are Jesus Christ
Superstar/Just Good Friends star Paul Nicholas as the high court judge Sir
Lawrence Wargrave and Dalziel and Pascoe’s Colin Buchanan. Blue Peter’s Mark Curry plays Dr
Armstrong. The magic of this production is that their past is immediately
forgotten as they feel very natural in this new role.
 |
| Photo: Pamela Raith |
The
play has its lighter moments, largely through the strong acting and
characterisation. For example Anthony Marston is a young boy racer. His
carefree attitude to life gave Paul Hassall a number of laughs. The dialogue he
was given was straight out of Enid Blyton’s “Famous Five” at times but that is
in keeping with the 1930s era of the source.
 |
| Photo: Pamela Raith |
Sometimes
a murder mystery starts to drag after the murder, as the characters squabble
and claim their innocence for the best part of an hour, but that is not the
case here. With 9 people to murder there is plenty of activity on stage. After
each death the audience either have to change their guess or nod knowingly.
When the big reveal happens there is a loud gasp from the stalls but that
doesn’t stop the chorus “I knew it at the start” as they file out. How honest
are the audience? I admit it – I was wrong!
 |
| Photo: Pamela Raith |
The
lighting design by Douglas Kuhrt is worth mentioning as it created a real
atmosphere in one of the final scenes as the set was candlelit. The huge
shadows helped the tension. Director Joe Harmston makes good use of the single
room and experienced cast to keep the action flowing..
Along
with Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee, And Then There Were None is a super
evening’s entertainment. The combination of cunning storyline and strong acting
produces a delightful show.
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre Guide Preview from
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com
). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like
Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
On The Web:
Tickets:
 |
| Photo: Pamela Raith |
And Then There Were None appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 27
July – Saturday 1 August 2015.
Tickets from £14.50 (pay 50p less per ticket when you book online). Tickets can
be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your
own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk
No comments:
Post a Comment