Agatha Christie was a master of mystery. Many of her novels were adapted into plays. “And Then There Were None,” first staged in 1943, takes place on a lonely, isolated island owned by the mysterious Mr. and Mrs. Owens. Audiences are to this island via The Players Club of Swarthmore where the show is being staged under the wonderful direction of Timothy Oskin.
Michael Steven Schultz, Glen Macnow and Thomas-Robert Irvin in a scene from “And Then There Were None” by Agatha Christie, onstage at PCS Theater through Feb. 14.
Ten strangers, each with a dark secret in their past, are summoned to the island. Rodgers (Eric Crist) and his wife, Mrs. Rodgers (Dena Daniel), are employed to prepare the house and cook the meals. Vera Claythorne (Amanda Pasquini) was hired as Mrs. Owens secretary. Vera welcomes an eclectic array of guests on behalf of Mrs. Owens, who was detained in London. These visitors include notable nerve doctor Armstrong (Kevin McPeak), spinster Emily Brent (Susan Bolt), elderly General McKenzie (Glen Macnow), inspector Wiliam Blore (Thomas-Robert Irvin), esteemed judge Wargrave (Michael Steven Schultz), soldier and adventurer Philip Lombard (Mike Sokolowski), and playboy with an affinity for speeding Anthony Marston (Vince Fox). Chas Thomas plays Fred Naracott, the ship captain who shuttles the guests and supplies to the island.
Kevin McPeak (left) and Thomas-Robert Irvin are featured in PCS Theater’s production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None”.
The evening begins benign enough. Many of the guests enjoy a drink while admiring both the view and the house. One piece of artwork catches everyone’s eye – a large copy of the poem “Ten Little Soldiers.” Below the poem, ten soldier figurines are set on a shelf. Just before dinner, a gramophone begins to play in another room. A menacing voice calls each attendee and describes a heinous crime he or she got away with. Marston is accused of running over two children, McKenzie sent his wife’s lover to his death on the battlefield, Armstrong killed someone on the operating table, etc.
Of course, each person is shaken and under the interrogation of Wargrave, details both how they came to be on the island and the circumstances surrounding the alleged crime. Events take a nefarious turn when Marston chokes on his drink and dies, mirroring the first line of the poem. As more guests meet their doom, the remaining players realize they were lured to the island to face justice for their crimes and, worst still, the killer is among them. As tensions and suspicions rise, the show has multiple twists and turns. Will anyone remain alive?
PCS has assembled a fantastic cast. Each actor brings a nuanced performance. Bolt is prim, proper, no nonsense. Fox is unapologetic and posturing. Crist and Daniel balance each other nicely as the married Rodgers. Macnow slowly transitions from sane to “off his cracker.” Irvin appears suspicious, blustery and over the top. McPeak’s character is rather ironic as he plays the nerve doctor who becomes increasingly nervous. Schultz is unyielding as he seeks justice. Sokolowski is charming as the unapologetic Captain Lombard, the only guest to own his crime. Pasquini is excellent as Vera becomes increasingly unhinged.
Lighting and sound, both by Damielle Lachall, added to the tense atmosphere. The thunderstorm, in particular, helped create a charged environment. Costumes by Betsy Berwick were well done. A luxurious set, designed by Ed Robins, fashioned an upscale mansion. The doors at the back of the stage and the watery backdrop were beautiful.
If you go:
“And Then There Were None” runs at Players Club of Swarthmore, 614 Fairview Road, Swarthmore, through Feb. 14. Remaining show times are 7:30 p.m., Feb. 12, 13 and 14 as well as a 2 p.m. performance on Valentine’s Day. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors and $10 for seniors and children. The show is a psychological thriller, and themes include murder, suicide, paranoia, and other adult themes. It is intended for mature audiences. There are also several loud gunshots. The show runs 2 hours plus one 15-minute intermission.
For tickets or information, visit pcstheater.org or call 610-328-4271.