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The Bear Pit present Agatha Christie at her best

  • Writer: Maxine Burns
    Maxine Burns
  • 4 days ago
  • 2 min read
Richard Sandle-Keynes and Zoe Mortimer. Photo by Chris J Clarke.
Richard Sandle-Keynes and Zoe Mortimer. Photo by Chris J Clarke.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, at The Bear Pit Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon running from 6 - 15 June. Directed by Penelope Sandle-Keynes.

Review by Maxine Burns.


Ten guests, one Island, No escape.

This Agatha Christie classic has a great opening, ominous music, darkened shadows and then each of the characters spotlighted in turn, creating the mysterious atmosphere in which the play progresses.  


Eight guests arrive for a stay at a grand house on Soldier Island, only accessible by boat. Fred Narracot, the boatman played by Barry Purchase-Rathbone, drops them off with a promise to return the next morning with supplies. Stormy weather ensures his return is a long time coming.

Ben Jeffrey and Graham Marston. Photo by Chris J Clarke.
Ben Jeffrey and Graham Marston. Photo by Chris J Clarke.

They are met by the sinister butler, Thomas Rogers (Steve Bixley) and his wife, Ethel, the cook (Dee Alder). This diverse group which includes a police officer, a judge, military personnel, a doctor and other suspect characters have little in common apart from discovering that no one seems to know their hosts, the mysterious Mr and Mrs Owen who are nowhere to be found.


The mystery deepens when a disembodied voice accuses each guest of a murder they have got away with, and they have been brought here to face justice.

Viv Tomlinson and Brian Darnley. Photo by Chris J Clarke.
Viv Tomlinson and Brian Darnley. Photo by Chris J Clarke.

The become concerned after spotting a poem hanging on the wall that tells of ten little soldier boys, who one by one come to a sticky end. It's not long before the guests realise this poem is actually telling of the fate that awaits them.


The murders begin, with each of Agatha Christie’s characters excellently portrayed by this talented cast playing their parts perfectly. Special mention must go to Zoe Mortimer who plays the hosts' secretary Vera Claythorne; Richard Sandler-Keynes who takes the role of Captain Phillip Lombard and the very prim and proper Miss Emily Brent played by Viv Tomlinson. All the cast were excellent, however.

Phil Hickson and Zoe Mortimer. Photo by Chris J Clarke.
Phil Hickson and Zoe Mortimer. Photo by Chris J Clarke.

True to Agatha Christie’s style, the mystery keeps you guessing who the murderer is as guests are murdered one by one. The ending is suitably dramatic with the lighting and music effects adding to the excitement of this classic drama. Agatha Christie declared the play to be her best piece of craftmanship. The Bear pit and its excellent cast certainly do it justice.


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