And Then There Were None

While lauded for her ingenuity, Agatha Christie has been criticized, over time, as being a bland and simplistic writer – not being able to sufficiently voice the intricacies of her plots. Though heavily debated in literary circles, this observation is particularly

noticeable through the tone of her plays, the majority of which she adapted. These scripts though ‘twee’, do give directors the option to play them for high drama or to find laughs, through the camp, stiff dialogue.

Knowing that I was I going to see And Then There Were None, and having studied Christie from an academic angle, I was prepared for the dramatic tone.

After all, eight guests stuck on an island and trying to survive being picked off, one by one, by an invisible homicidal maniac is a masterful take on classic Gothic tropes. From the opening minutes of the play, as the guests arrived on Soldier Island, I realised I would need to readjust my expectations. The hammy lines, colourful introductions of the cast and the pervading mood of disasters to come immediately titillated the audience.

Director Pollyanna Forshaw has assembled a diverse ensemble cast, the driving force being Andy Kabanoff, as the commanding Justice Wargrave, and the fresh portrayal of anti-hero Philip Lombard by newcomer Allan Pleym. Pleym’s natural cadence and ease of delivery was pitch perfect for the role. Special mention must also go to the utterly delightful performance given by Gabrielle Brooks in the role of Antonia Marston. 

The special effects and technical aspects were strong and most importantly for a ‘whodunnit’ of this calibre, subtle. The stars of the show were, without a doubt, the pivotal set pieces of the ten toy soldiers. Their Houdini-like disappearances were so well executed that I’m still scratching my head over how it was done.

Right through until the expectedly ‘Christie’ twist ending, the audience laughed, gasped and clapped along, and once I had recalibrated my perceptions it was easy to jump on board with their enthusiasm. Wyong Drama Group has produced a technically taut and fun evening of theatre.

Jillian Logan

Photographer: Andy Kabanoff