Review: And Then There Were None at Theatre @41 Monkgate, York

Wednesday, 27th September 2023 at Theatre @41 Monkgate, York.

⭐️⭐️

In this particular “whodunnit” from the great Agatha Christie, ten strangers find themselves thrown together (by invitation) at a rural estate on an island. Each has done wrong and each must pay a price. Gradually, they begin to drop like flies and in line with the lyrics to “Ten Little Soldier Boys” – hence the title. But even while the bodies drop, there is an undying hope that the killer among them might be discovered in time to leave a survivor or two…

Directed by Andrew Isherwood, the cast seem to deliver this story as a straight play rather than an edge-of-your-seat psychological thriller, which is something of a disappointment. There are mild moments of suspense which work well, with noble efforts in the pursuit of tension when it comes to sound and lighting (Will Nicholson, Adam Coggin): ambient ocean and birds here, a couple of flickering lamps there.

Set (Robert Readman) smoothly takes us to an old manor house in 1939 with dated furnishings and a few well-placed relics. But more could have been done I think, especially when it comes to the various inventive murders mentioned but rarely made visual in any way – with the exception of the final murder, which is very well done. This was my first visit to Theatre @41 Monkgate and it’s plain to see that it offers a versatile space which could cope with more ambition when it comes to a demanding piece like this.

The best of the characters include the authoritative General Mackenzie (Ian Giles), the amicable and sincere Rogers (Martyn Hunter) and the infinitely unimpressed Vera Claythorne (Florence Poskitt). But the standout performance in this production is from Mike Hickman, who plays the smarmy Philip Lombard with great assurance.

Others involved in this tale of warped retribution are the put-upon Mrs Rogers (Jeanette Hunter), the self-absorbed Anthony Marston (Andrew Roberts), the permanently irked William Blore (Andrew Isherwood), the proud Sir Wargrave (Rory Mulvihill), the frightfully spooked Emily Brent (Jessica Murray) and a very highly strung Dr Armstrong (Mark Simmonds). There are some strong characterisations to enjoy, but also a few too many over-egged caricatures which undermine the efforts towards intensity at key moments – a little too much gusto in some scenes did away with encroaching credible tension.

As a relatively neat period mystery/drama with a few tense moments, this production finds some success. As a whodunnit thriller however, it could do with more ambition to thrill.

And Then There We’re None is at Theatre @41 Monkgate until September 30th 2023 – more information and tickets can be found here.