Theatre Review: And Then There Were None

The West Bridgford Society performed their first play in 1949, and today showcase everything from comedies to modern day thrillers. Run completely by volunteers, it’s easy to see the passion and dedication that goes into a production from not only the actors, but every member of the backstage and front-of-house staff.

Their current production of And Then There Were None is based on the world’s best-selling mystery novel by ‘Queen of Crime’ Agatha Christie. With this production, director Anna Hodkin wishes to capture the “wit and humour that’s so integral to Agatha Christie’s stage writing” while bringing about a darker, more atmospheric touch to the whodunnit.

This brooding atmosphere is never more poignant or expertly deployed as in the Act 2 scene where the ever-dwindling cast huddles together on a stage lit only by candlelight. The effect leaves the audience feeling as though they’re hunkering down with them, guessing who amongst you is the killer and wondering if you’ll be next.

With an extensive cast, and all of them often on stage all at once, it could be hard to stand out. But each player is memorable, taking their turn in the spotlight at different points throughout the play - whether that’s Jerome Foley as boisterous, quippy Captain Lombard, or Emily Girton as the increasingly hysterical Vera Claythorne (who lets out some of the most blood-curdling screams I’ve ever had the joy of hearing on stage).

Tim Farrow, a veteran of the stage having joined the WBDS in 1995, is the absolute picture of Sir Lawrence Wargrave, with all the gravitas required to play the imposing criminal judge. Calum Sharp is hilarious as the sports car-driving Anthony Marson, bringing a real air of the 1930s with his cries that everything is “wizard”, as is Danny Longbottom as the sometimes-bumbling police officer Blore.

Playing the nervous nerve doctor Armstrong is Vic Carr, who does so with a great sense of authority before starting to unwind as the tension mounts. Dave Cochrane as General Mackenzie also plays the downward spiral of the character perfectly, as he increasingly confuses past with present.

Rob Dakin is the ever-dutiful butler Rogers, who captures the sense of service you would imagine of his character - patiently taking every guest request, even dazedly continuing to make breakfast as the bodies pile up. As does Linda M Stafford as Mrs Rogers, though with slightly more complaint to the amusement of the audience.

But I have to give an extra special mention to Amanda Pearce, who is pitch perfect as the haughty Emily Brent. Whether she’s throwing scathing looks in the background or gleefully reading damming passages from the Bible, she’s often hard to look away from, even with a stage full of larger-than-life characters.

As a viewer who has somehow escaped the final reveal of the world’s sixth best-selling book, each character felt just as viable as a suspect as they did a victim, with a real air of distrust and unease even as the numbers dwindled and they had to rely on each other for safety. This production does what it set out to do - deliver wit and humour with a heart of menace and mystery.

And Then There Were None plays at the Studio Theatre from 16-20 May