And Then There Were None

This is Agatha Christie's most popular story and dates back to the late 1930's. Ten people find themselves invited to an isolated island under false pretences then start being killed, one by one, according to the themes of an old nursery rhyme. 

The dated script is not, of itself, an issue but in this production the script, acting and direction conspire to create an unsatisfactory experience. Had there been an attempt to update the show, or even play it fully as a 1930's production it might have worked but there was simply no consistency and it lacked polish and flair.

The direction was curious with lots of un-motivated movements, terrible masking and some odd choices about depiction of the back-stories. Not helped by a stage design that was neither one thing nor the other where the lightweight curtaining seemed to get in the way more than enhance the effects.

Acting was mixed, though again this is partly down to direction. Whilst some characters were carried off credibly others were pooly done. It is a particular hatred of mine to watch actors who are unable to speak without leaning forward from the waist - something no one does in real life - crudley flagging their speeches. Some of the characterisations were caricatures at best and the recasting of Rogers as a woman created some awkward moments.

In all, an unsatisfactory evening which did seem to entertain much of the audience but which could have been so much better.