The whodunit, murder mystery genre, remains as popular as ever, with both actors and audiences. There are numerous attractions, perhaps the biggest being that it’s a chance for audience members to play amateur sleuths, as the actors collaboratively, and with their consummate skills, attempt to outwit them.
Every year the Genesian Theatre puts on one murder mystery, and this year it’s one of the major shows, Agathie Christie’s ‘And Then There Was None’. Christie’s original novel, published in November 1939, sold more than 100 million copies. The great writer went on to complete a stage adaptation in 1943, and this is the adaptation that the Genesians have used for their current production.
‘And Then There Were None’ tells a rough justice/vigilante story. Ten people who have been complicit in the death of others but have escaped punishment are tricked into accepting an invitation to a mansion on an isolated island, Soldiers Island, situated off the coast of Devon.
Boatman Fred Narracot transports them across, and they never return. Each receives the ultimate punishment, mysteriously murdered, one by one, in a manner darkly reminiscent of the old nursery rhyme, ‘Ten Little Indians’.
Co-directors Debbie Smith and Jenny Jacobs put their own refreshing stamp on Christie’s classic play. They have spiced up the action a little by having more of the murders take place on stage, and by also changing the gender of one of the main characters, Harley street surgeon Dr Armstrong, from male to female. All the cast play their characters a little enigmatically, hoping to keep the audience guessing.
Smith’s curved nautical design, and Michael Schell’s dramatic score, added to the unsettling tone that Christie created for the play.
The cast took to their roles well. In particular, I enjoyed the work of Prudence Vindin as the hard-line, devout Mrs Emily Blunt, Jessica Mestre as the pale faced, crotchety Mrs Ethel Rogers, Robert Drew as ‘hanging Judge’ Justice Wargrave, Rod Stewart as retired World War 1 hero, General Mackenzie, Alec Hartnell as spoilt, rich old boy, Anthony Marsden, and Clare Martin’s work as the female Dr Armstrong.
Recommended, Agathie Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’ plays the Genesian Theatre, 420 Kent Street, Sydney until Saturday 2nd October, 2010.