Over two consecutive weekends, Motion Arts Temora recently presented the intriguing play ‘And Then There Were None’. The play, based on Agatha Christie’s novel of the same title, was performed at the Temora Memorial Hall and was produced by Scott Hayman and generously supported by FarmLink. Ten strangers intended to enjoy a dining experience in a mansion on Soldier Island, off the coast of Devon. Each stranger was burdened with a rather cloudy past, (dark enough to attract punishment), so the island, supposedly, was an ideal getaway. Was it? But the dining experience was far more unique than any of them could imagine… Soldier Island, by default, became ‘And Then There Were None’, a murder mystery without the support, or the expertise of Christie’s usual back stops Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. Directors Scott Hayman and Jodie Cameron effectively encouraged stage presence and movement. As a result, a range of fascinating characterisations from relatively quiet young Thomas Rogers (played by Hayden Baldry) to ‘hoity-toity’ drama queen Emily Brent (played by Jo-Anne Baker) emerged. All the cast sustained their characters convincingly. A special nod to moustached John Mackenzie – played by Susan Peggy Hunn. He was the character left with the challenging task of being the final ‘soldier’. As the lights dimmed, we saw the last figure hanging from the mantelpiece. Throughout the play were some eerie elements warning and reflecting on each character’s fate. A poem begins: Ten little soldier boys went out to dine One choked himself and then there were nine The poem continues by reiterating death scenarios right to the last little soldier as it sits defiantly in a frame on the mantelpiece. Ten little soldier figures on the mantelpiece mysteriously disappear one by one. A haunting gramophone voice offstage (FarmLink’s Shaughn Morgan) adds an extra layer of mystery to the narrative. Finally, the acquisition and construction of suitable props must be commended. No less than three door elements were involved to control the inflow and outflow of characters. Double doors at the back of the stage opened to an imagined outdoor area for reflecting. Plus, there was a delightful wooden bar for the storage and consumption of alcohol. Yes. The play required that the bar was well attended. Overall, the production represented a wonderful achievement…a crowd pleaser. Well done to all the cast and crew.
