REVIEW: And Then There Were None

Agatha Christie’s mother of all whodunits comes to Birmingham in a production that breathes new life into a crime drama that has been captivating readers and audiences for almost a hundred years.

And Then There Were None is currently running at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham.

Agatha Christie’s name is forever linked to tales of mystery, murder and unexpected twists, and her books - including theatre, film, television and radio adaptations of her material - have been thrilling crime fans across the decades. 

And Then There Were None, first published in the UK in 1939, is now one of the world’s best-selling crime novels with over 100 million copies sold around the globe and translated into a multitude of international languages. The book has been filmed numerous times, both for cinema and television, and world famous stars have taken part in the adaptations.

The story seems fairly simple on the surface but the plot soon thickens as secrets are unlocked which weave an even deeper maze of perplexities which leads to a shocking and unpredictable conclusion.

Eight mysterious guests arrive at a remote and isolated mansion which is empty and silent apart from two servants who greet them with a cryptic message from their host - a Mr U. N Owen - who sends his apologies for not being there to personally greet them as they enter his plush home.

As night closes in, and the guests begin to mingle and chat, the atmosphere suddenly turns cold and frightening as dark secrets surface which reveal that each member of the weekend party has committed various heinous crimes, including murder most foul, and somehow they managed to evade justice. To add another layer of horror, the startled guests begin to die in mysterious and increasingly bizarre circumstances inside the sinister house as the clock slowly ticks towards dawn.

The panic-stricken - and trapped - guests soon realise that one amongst them is the killer.

Who could it be?

Can the bitter and shady guests work out the identity of the murderer before he - or she - strikes again?  The killer keeps targeting the confused and angry survivors in ingenious ways that mirror the lyrics of a minstrel song.

This is an intelligent witty and thrilling stage adaptation of a classic crime story that keeps the audience guessing right up until the moment the curtain comes down.

The doom laden and cloying atmosphere of Christie’s tale is evocatively conveyed in this suspenseful production which is directed by Lucy Bailey who is a connoisseur of Agatha Christie's books, especially And Then There Were None.

Bailey taps into Mike Britton’s set and costume designs which highlight the claustrophobic tension. The rippling gauze-like curtains that rig the stage become poetic reference points as the mood of the drama shifts from the initial bemusement of the guests to their impending doom in the tomb-like space. The clever use of the see-thru curtain material also serves to mark the passage of time.

Bailey also makes excellent use of Chris Davey’s lighting which accentuates the paranoia felt by the frightened guests as they await their individual fates.

Elizabeth Purnell's haunting sound design and music adds depth and texture to the superlative production. The sound of crashing waves and rippling water is unsettling yet strangely soothing, and the rhythms sway in tune to the emotions of one of the key characters in the drama.

Each member of the cast brings rich detail and witty dynamism to the various guests. Emotions range from comedy to laughter, with each nuance enriching the performances. This talented group of people are utterly convincing, and their commitment to their roles did justice to Christie's material.

The dramatic exchanges between Sophie Walter as Vera, a governess nursing guilt, and David Yelland, as Judge Wargrave, were absolutely electrifying and made the heart race with intense tension.

This thrilling adaptation of And Then There Were None is an exciting journey through a maze of mystery and suspense. This stunning production easily goes over and beyond a 5 star rating.

Verdict: ★★★★★

And Then There Were None is now playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 9th March