Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” opens on the Wimberley Players stage June 30 and runs through July 23.
Considered a masterpiece of dramatic construction and Dame Christie’s darkest work, the tale begins with ten strangers arriving at a mansion on a remote island. Soon the mood, along with the weather, turns dark as the guests are subjected to a tape-recording reminding each of them of their own murderous past. Now, they are trapped and, as in the classic nursery rhyme, oneby- one fall victim to their untimely death.
“And Then There Were None” is Christie’s most popular novel with over 100 million sales to date, making it the world’s best-selling mystery of all time. It has been performed in multiple productions under various titles — on stage with acting greats like Richard Attenborough and Orson Wells, on the silver screen with Walter Huston and Barry Fitzgerald and as the subject of a 2015 mini-series.
Director Rebecca Woods, along with The Players expert design team and veteran cast, skillfully builds an ever- growing sense of dread and unfaltering tension that will keep the audience guessing to the very end. And just to keep everyone on their toes, this show has two endings: the original from 1939 and a wartime version Christie wrote in 1943. The Players will alternate the two endings throughout the run.
The Players welcomes newcomers to its stage: Steven and Cynthia Cruser as Rogers and Mrs. Rogers, Jim Bast as General MacKenzie and Matthew Howard as Fred Narracott. Rounding out this stellar cast are veteran Players Danny Mosier as Sir William Wargrave, Emily Ann Paterson as Vera Claythorne, William Windle as Philip Lombard, Greg Dew as William Blore, Ron Lessane as Dr. Armstrong, Karen Rudy as Emily Brent and Phillip Trieu as Anthony Marston.
This show is produced by Karen Rudy.
“And Then There Were None” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. This production is appropriate for PG13 audiences with descriptions of and references to murder and domestic violence.
Shows run Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.
Reserved seating is $22; students are $18 with ID. Tickets are available online at wimberleyplayers.org or by calling (512) 8470575.
The Wimberley Playhouse is located on 450 Old Kyle Road in Wimberley.
