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And Then There Were None, Castle Players, Village Hall, Lytchett Matravers

NEVER having previously seen this Agatha Christie thriller, nor read the book, I had no idea of the perpetrator and, true to form, I also failed to guess.

It is set on an island off the Devon coast to which ten people have been invited as staff or guests, ostensibly for a house party weekend but in reality to play out, in chilling detail, a children’s rhyme, Ten Little Soldier Boys.  

The 1930s setting called for a more mannered style of acting than is the norm today, but the cast came up trumps with this, as they did with their superb characterisations. Lack of space prevents me mentioning them all, and it would be unfair to pick out just a few individuals from such a well-balanced group.

A play is more than just its performers, of course, and exceptional ‘mood music’, lighting and sound effects really created a tense atmosphere as everyone waited to see who would be picked off next. Full marks too for costumes and a set that really looked right, and what a good idea on the part of director Don Cherrett to have such a spooky beginning and ending. It worked a treat.

Linda Kirkman

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