And Then There Were None
Nineteen 12 Productions
Dixon Studio
13th - 17th September 2016
Nineteen 12 Productions
Dixon Studio
13th - 17th September 2016
Nineteen12 Productions are performing one of Agatha Christie’s most famous of ‘whodunnit’s’, And Then There Were None all this week at The Dixon Studio. Initially I thought this is a rather brave choice for the company as firstly, the professional production of this play was only just performed a year ago in the main house and secondly, being a company with an average age of around 20 years old, they would mostly be playing characters who were much older than themselves. However, what I hadn’t accounted for was the sheer tenacity of its production team and, of course, the actors.
Despite the fact that this play was only in Southend a year ago, there seems to be a huge appeal for a murder mystery, especially of the Agatha Christie kind; and the audience numbers certainly reflected this.
Ok, I will admit that in the first act of the play, I was wondering how these young actors would get away with playing characters in their 30s, 40s and older, but director, Daniel Steward, has clearly addressed this issue with the assumption that if a performer is talented enough, they are more than capable of acting old. This was certainly achieved and in particular from Josh Picton as the retired General Mackenzie and Jemma Perrin playing the sanctimonious old spinster, Emily Brent, with not a grey hair or penciled in wrinkle in sight for either.
Despite the fact that this play was only in Southend a year ago, there seems to be a huge appeal for a murder mystery, especially of the Agatha Christie kind; and the audience numbers certainly reflected this.
Ok, I will admit that in the first act of the play, I was wondering how these young actors would get away with playing characters in their 30s, 40s and older, but director, Daniel Steward, has clearly addressed this issue with the assumption that if a performer is talented enough, they are more than capable of acting old. This was certainly achieved and in particular from Josh Picton as the retired General Mackenzie and Jemma Perrin playing the sanctimonious old spinster, Emily Brent, with not a grey hair or penciled in wrinkle in sight for either.
As with all murder mysteries, you need a build up to what is to come and the first Act introduced us nicely to the characters. This is a very wordy play and you really need to concentrate on what is being said if you are serious about your detective work and in tying to figure out who the murderer is.
This also gave me the opportunity to appreciate how much work had gone into the making of the set. For the first time (in my experience anyway), the stage had been raised in the Dixon Studio with two levels revealing a backdrop, through French windows, of a balcony and the sea below. There were some lovely lighting and sound effects to accompany the simplicity of the set, thanks to Matt Giles - who Nineteen 12 were lucky to grab this week - and I loved the rainfall at the beginning of Act 2, made possible by the determined skills of Michael Rowley in charge of set construction design. Claire Brooks’ attention to detail really stood out with impressive art deco styling and period costumes.
The second act of this production really had me gripped and Leah-May Keeble as Vera Claythorne gave a very convincing performance. In fact, Leah-May was perfectly cast in this role and really carried the play along; likewise, Jonny Buxton, giving a very confident characterisation as Lawrence Margrave and also, Alex Abineri as William Blore.
The suspense of the piece was fabulously kept right up until the last few moments and I’m certainly not going to give anything away, suffice to say that any one of a nervous nature, may be in for a slightly rough ride!
Grab your tickets now on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk to check availability.
This also gave me the opportunity to appreciate how much work had gone into the making of the set. For the first time (in my experience anyway), the stage had been raised in the Dixon Studio with two levels revealing a backdrop, through French windows, of a balcony and the sea below. There were some lovely lighting and sound effects to accompany the simplicity of the set, thanks to Matt Giles - who Nineteen 12 were lucky to grab this week - and I loved the rainfall at the beginning of Act 2, made possible by the determined skills of Michael Rowley in charge of set construction design. Claire Brooks’ attention to detail really stood out with impressive art deco styling and period costumes.
The second act of this production really had me gripped and Leah-May Keeble as Vera Claythorne gave a very convincing performance. In fact, Leah-May was perfectly cast in this role and really carried the play along; likewise, Jonny Buxton, giving a very confident characterisation as Lawrence Margrave and also, Alex Abineri as William Blore.
The suspense of the piece was fabulously kept right up until the last few moments and I’m certainly not going to give anything away, suffice to say that any one of a nervous nature, may be in for a slightly rough ride!
Grab your tickets now on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk to check availability.
Ask the Audience
Megan, Southend-on Sea
“I thought it was very good. I liked the special effects used in it. It was very close to the book too. A very enjoyable thriller.”
“I thought it was very good. I liked the special effects used in it. It was very close to the book too. A very enjoyable thriller.”
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Sacha Jonas, Gt Wakering
“It was really good. I enjoyed the rain effect. It’s nice to see young people taking on more challenging stuff.” |
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Jack Byrne, Southend-on-Sea
“Brilliant. The actors were amazing and I had no idea who the murderer was!”
“Brilliant. The actors were amazing and I had no idea who the murderer was!”