Review: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Thrills at Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

When the play you're about to see is a murder mystery called "And Then There Were None", you know there will be a body count. The deliciously dark Agatha Christie novel comes to life on the stage in the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre's current production. Unlike most of its shows, this one is held in the smaller, more intimate Studio Theater, a great fit for the chilly drama.

Ten strangers find themselves trapped on an English island with a killer in their midst. They soon realize not all is as it seems when they are all accused of committing various murders. The three-act play has one 15 minute intermission and then a short pause after the second act. The pace clips along briskly as the story unfolds.

Charles Goad had quite the challenge as the director. He has to show murders, both onstage and off, without revealing the killer. It's a game of sleight-of-hand and he manages it beautifully. The audience is pulled into the guessing game as the bodies piled up. I frequently heard murmurs of "I think that person will die next." from the seats around me.

As the remaining cast narrows, the tension increases and suspicion is everywhere. Carrie Schlatter plays Vera, a young woman trying to keep a level head in the midst of her horrifying circumstances. David Mosedale shines as an older gentleman, cautious and realistic about their situation. Philip Lombard (Joshua Ramsey) brings levity to the scenes as a carefree adventure. He literally laughs in the face of danger. Christine Kruze provides an icy balance as Emily Brent, a pious woman reminiscent of Mrs. Danvers.

The beautiful set pulls the audience into the single room where the action unfolds. Unlike the book, the set limits the murders we see, but our imaginations fill in the gaps. Removing the outside world actually helps build a claustrophobic atmosphere in the later acts. The overall effect is gripping and a treat for fans of the murder mystery genre.

Don't Miss the Show:

Performances: The show runs until April 8. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Thursday through Friday, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre is located at 3 Center Green, Carmel, IN 46032 at the Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets: Ticket prices range from $24.50 to $37.50 and can be purchased by calling (317) 843-3800 or visitingwww.civictheatre.org.

Photos courtesy of the Booth Tarkington Civic Theatre

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