(From left) Amber Massie, Walker Tipton, Abby Thompson and James Lawless rehearse a scene from Madison-Plains’ upcoming production of “And Then There Were None.”
(Posted April 30, 2015)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Watching Madison-Plains’ stage production of “And Then There Were None” will be like playing a three-dimensional game of Clue, according to James Lawless, a member of the cast.
The play is based the best-selling novel by murder mystery queen Agatha Christie. In it, 10 people, all of whom have been complicit in the deaths of other people, are lured to an island where, one by one, they are killed. With each death, the survivors think they’ve figured out what’s going on, but then another one of them dies.
“The script keeps the audience on their toes,” Lawless said.
“There’s never a character on stage without a purpose,” said cast member Abby Thompson. “Watching it, you’re on edge the entire time because you don’t know what’s going on.”
Lawless plays Sir Lawrence Wargrave, a respected judge. Thompson plays the frazzled, distrustful Dr. Armstrong who always feels guilty.
“It’s fun to express yourself given certain limits,” said Lawless. “It’s like playing in the sandbox with character expression. You play around until you find something that works.”
This is only the second time Lawless, a junior, has appeared in a Madison-Plains production. His first was the winter showcase. He said he’s glad the other veteran actors talked him into it.
“The peer pressure was worth it,” he said.
Thompson, one of those who “twisted arms,” has appeared in three other Madison-Plains shows. The senior said she’s especially excited about this production.
“It will be one of the best shows we’ve done,” she said—not just because it’s an action-packed murder mystery mixed with comedy, but also because of the people filling the roles.
“We have a lot of newbies, but they’re just crazy talented,” she said.
The other cast members are: Logan Perkins as Rogers, Tessa Rohrs as Mrs. Rogers, Casey Watson as Francis Narracott, Amber Massie as Vera Claythorne, Walker Tipton as Philip Lombard, Gabe Jones as Anthony Marston, John Bollinger as William Blore, and Austin Blunt as General Mackenzie.
Tickets and show times
Madison-Plains High School’s production of Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None” will take place at the high school, 800 Linson Road, London.
Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens. Purchase tickets at the door.
Show times: May 8-9 at 7 p.m.; May 10 at 2 p.m.
For details, call the school at (740) 852-0364.
