LICHFIELD MERCURY
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Agatha Christie
Lichfield Players Lichfield Garrick
A really great opening to the new season by Lichfield Players ,the Agatha Christie classic ‘And then there was one’ The scene was set – it is the 1930’s, the location an island home which created unease and just to make sure everyone knew the ‘real’ setting a picture of Burgh Island the favourite of the’thirties people’ We even heard Coronation Scott being played in the background.
A remote place, ten characters who knew little or nothing of each other thrown together by that renown dealer of suspense what could there be but murder ! Not one but ten but who was going to be next? A mystery voice accused all the characters of committing unconfessed murder in the past – this was the day of comeuppance. The great thing about Brian Todd’s production was the audience complete absorbance in the play. When everyone was wondering who would be murdered next the lady behind me said of one of the characters ‘she doesn’t look very well at all’ – in fact she was dead !
Vera Claythorne arrives with Captain Philip Lombard like everyone else their invitation was either through a third party or by letter. Vera was Mrs.Orgden the owner’s secretary and it soon became apparent it might be Mrs Owen – who really did own this remote house or was it the unknown Mr Owen ?. The other guests arrive by a later boat which at once returned to the mainland. The house is now solitary, no telephone. no communication. Stormy weather isolated the island longer than usual, the clever effects made the place seem so much grimmer.
We meet an over the top chap Anthony Marston who has disregard for everyone but himself – Robbie Beck ,in a part in contrast to his former characters with the Players, commands the stage when he is about. There was Phil Shaw, with a stalwart performance as the General who usually lives at his club, gave a convincing change in character when haunted by unsavoury happenings in his past.
Ten miniature soldiers are on the mantelpiece, there is a rhyme about these ten soldiers (politically corrected from the rhyme many had leant in their younger days !). The verses from the rhyme set out each death then another soldier fell down. Everyone suspects each other.
Busy housekeeper/cook ,Adrienne Swallow, was first to surcome, Was her butler husband played by Dale Preece-Kelly responsible – had they made quick work of their former employer ?. As in many plays of the period the domestic staff were discovered first one stage to set the scene, indicating the class of household and a little of the intrigue
Ruth Hawkins gave us a carefully created Emily Brent who was the essences of respectability. In her later years, she spent time knitting, reading her bible and being above suspicion. Surely she could not be the murderer. This was a tongue in cheek story – could this really happen – well hardily but the polished performance by the whole cast kept the audience on edge and thoroughly entertained.
There were more suspects what about the learned judge Sir Lawrence Wargrave who sent men and probably women to the gallows as a matter of duty. Another commanding performance from Stephen Brunton. There was the doctor, now he had life and death at his command and in the end Dickie Bannister showed us how it troubled him. Finally the a former member of the police force, now he was my favourite, his shifty tale wouldn’t take anyone in or would it – a pivotal part for Richard Bannister as William Blore – or was it Davies – keeping his audience guessing. Eve Fehilly (Vera Claythorne) and Chris Jenkins (Captain Philip Lombard) first of the guests both were passionate in their portrayals of the younger characters which held the story line together.
A romp of an evening , a time when real life was completely suspended. The period was maintained with a good but simple set and costumes which did not nothing other but speak the thirties. Principally it was all the players together which maintained and suspended reality and took everyone into that magic and mystery which is only Agatha Christie. I am sure Bran Todd was delighted and I know his audience was by the congratulations he received in the Green Room Bar. My advice join the packed audiences for ‘The Anniversary’ the Lichfield Players next outing in November.
TONY WOOD |
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THE LICHFIELD BLOG
And Then There Were None @ Lichfield Garrick
This production proved two things, first, why Agatha Christie’s murder mysteries have lasted so long and second how lucky Lichfield is to have the Players still keeping the true spirit of drama alive, like a real Rep. Their latest production under Brian Todd’s effervescent direction is an object lesson in how to entertain an almost capacity crowd just dying (sorry) to enjoy themselves. This is a classic play that used to be called by a much less politically correct name and dates from an age when it was still possible to go to an afternoon matinee, open a box of Milk Tray and have a rattling good time. And it’s a very sound play still as projected here, a sort of comedy thriller simply packed with stock characters and stereotypes used in an endlessly inventive way and often touching genuine unease.
Adrienne Swallow is comically delightful as the classic put-upon housekeeper while Dale Preece-Kelly (great name) as her butler husband is a real find. Phil Shaw is tremulously aristocratic as an arthritic, aristocratic old soldier while Ruth Hawkins has a lovely line in disagreeableness like a sort of scolding Miss Marple. Dickie Bannister as a shady surgeon has a lot to do in the second half keeping his nose clean and himself above ground while Robbie Beck as the posh silly ass Bertie Wooster-type drew plenty of laughs from the back row.
The main credits must go to (Eve Fehilly as) Vera Claythorne as the elegantly sexy secretary and prime suspect, Chris Jenkins as the suave, good-looking ex-officer, and of course to our own dear Stephen Brunton whose effortlessly reliable stage-craft as usual made the whole thing work. But there’s one last player who deserves a very special mention, Richard Bannister, new to me, whose dual role as hostage and policeman had a vigour and intensity that promises great things to come.
I loved the professional set, the superb sound effects and especially the wonderful lighting whose workings genuinely had me foxed. A great night out on our own doorstep, as reliable as a pair of old slippers and believe me, just as treasured. May the Players prosper long.
Phil Preece
BIRMINGHAM AND BLACK COUNTRY MAIL
THERE are scary and amusing moments in this Agatha Christie mystery story which sees the players open their new season with a spot of multi-murder in a large house on an isolated island.
Opening night had a rather irritating start as the sound of crashing waves and screeching seagulls drowned some of the early dialogue, but the action quickly gathers pace.
Eight guests and two servants - each linked to some kind of unfortunate death in the past - have been invited there without knowing why, but soon realise their own lives are in danger...as forecast in a framed poem about the Ten Little Soldiers (the original title was changed for political correctness).
Why there are six wooden soldiers on the mantlepiece to begin with, and the periodic reducing number never quite coincides with the survivors, isn't clear, though perhaps people at the back of the auditorium can't spot that.
The entire cast act and deliver their lines well, however, with Eve Fehilly excellent as the young Vera Claythorne and Stephen Brunton a convincing retired Judge, Sir Lawrence Wargrove.
Directed by Brian Todd this who-done-them teaser runs to Saturday night (Oct 3).
VERDICT: * * *
PAUL MARSTON
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