Ten strangers are invited to Soldier Island, an isolated rock near the Devon coast. Cut off from the mainland, with their generous hosts Mr and Mrs U.N. Owen mysteriously absent, they are each accused of a terrible crime. When one of the party dies suddenly they realise they may be harbouring a murderer among their number. The tension escalates as the survivors realise the killer is not only among them but is preparing to strike again… and again…
Agatha Christie is our second-highest ranking author (JB Priestley is the highest). Her original book is the best-selling mystery in the world, and she adapted it herself into the play. In particular, she re-worked the ending so as to leave someone alive to tell the story!
Caroline Oakley produces. We have a DVD, from David Laine’s original video
After supper a record is played of Wargrave’s disembodied voice, accusing each visitor of murder. Unfortunately it was played at half speed so it took an age to get through the recording!
This was the last play performed at the Birley Carr chapel, before the society merged with the Grenoside Players and moved to the Community Centre, which makes the play’s title rather appropriate – or was that deliberate…?
