Plymouth Theatre Review

Review: And Then There Were None The Watermark, Ivybridge – 10 July 2026

Easy to Follow  4

Family Friendly 3

Must See   4                 

With their latest production of Agatha Christie’s ‘And Then There Were None’, the Tamaritans Theatre Company delivers an atmospheric and thoroughly engaging staging of one of the Queen of Crime’s most enduring mysteries.

First published in 1939, ‘And Then There Were None’ follows ten strangers who are lured to a remote island under various pretences. Upon their arrival, they discover that their mysterious host is absent, only to find themselves accused of dark secrets from their pasts. As tensions rise and the guests begin to disappear one by one, suspicion, paranoia and fear consume the isolated group, creating one of Christie’s most ingenious and suspenseful thrillers.

The Tamaritans capture both the period and the mounting sense of unease with confidence. Director Steve Baker demonstrates an assured understanding of the material, maintaining an excellent pace throughout and allowing the suspense to build steadily towards its climax. His staging is effective, skillfully disguising several moments of theatrical sleight of hand that are essential to the story, enabling key events to unfold in full view without immediately revealing their significance.

The production benefits from a strong ensemble cast, with several particularly memorable performances. Tim Randell brings charisma and commanding stage presence to Sir Lawrence, while Doreen Sutton, whose extensive theatrical experience is evident throughout, delivers a wonderfully scene-stealing portrayal of the formidable and sanctimonious Emily Brent.

The wider cast also performs admirably. Lara Cook charts Vera Claythornes gradual descent into anxiety and desperation, while Alfred Hurst gives Captain Philip Lombard an appealing blend of charm and hidden vulnerability. Sarah Jones is quietly compelling as Doctor Eleanor Armstrong, increasingly finding herself under suspicion as events spiral out of control, and Dan Pippin brings suitable menace and duplicity to William Henry Blore.

Newcomer Micah Savage makes a striking impression with an unsettling portrayal of John Mackenzie, while Tom Harraway injects youthful swagger into Anthony Marston. Jenny Deakin earns genuine sympathy as the increasingly distressed Mrs Rogers, and Paul Gillard and Ruth Thomas round out the cast effectively as Mr Rogers and Freda Narracot respectively.

The production is enhanced considerably by Maggie Clinton’s outstanding costume design. Every costume is impeccably period-appropriate and thoughtfully chosen to reinforce each character’s personality, once again demonstrating why Clinton remains one of the Tamaritans’ greatest creative assets. Niall Clinton’s sitting-room set was noteworthy for its elegant furnishings, which also effectively evoke the story’s period and setting.

As the body count rises and the circle of suspects narrows, the lighting and sound design work hand in hand to heighten the growing sense of dread and paranoia, drawing the audience ever deeper into Christie’s meticulously crafted mystery.

For almost a century, the Tamaritans Theatre Company has built a reputation for producing high-quality amateur theatre in Plymouth, and this production is another worthy addition to that proud tradition. Packed with memorable characters, strong performances and sustained suspense, ‘And Then There Were None’ provides an entertaining evening of classic murder mystery and demonstrates why Agatha Christie’s masterpiece continues to captivate audiences more than eight decades after it was first written.

Review by Bart Gamber

*Gifted – This theatre review was written following a gifted ticket to the performance. However, all opinions and views expressed in this review are entirely that of the reviewer and the review has not been influenced in any way by the provision of the ticket. Our commitment remains to provide an honest and unbiased assessment of the experience.