And Then There Were None Programme

WELCOME TO THE WILDE THEATRE AND TONIGHT’S PERFORMANCE. Thank you for taking the time to support this new company, working alongside South Hill Park. This company was formed to create accessible theatre for the community, both in terms of audience but also cast and production team. Huge thank you to Gemma Roch and the entire production team and cast for the amazing work they have done to bring you a fantastic piece of live theatre.

LUKE BURTON, PRODUCER

7 - 10 Feb 2024

A WORD FROM THE DIRECTOR, GEMMA ROCH Welcome to ‘And Then There Were None’, and thank you for being here!

Agatha Christie noted this as one of her most difficult plots to write, but the idea was so captivating to her that she would dedicate the craftsmanship needed for it, regardless of how it might have been received. She need not have worried; this story continues to grip generations with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. The script for stage and screen has seen several iterations, all to meet different agendas. Christie herself converted the book to play and changed the ending to appeal to a 1940’s audience, and since then the Estate has empowered producers and directors to choose between this version or to one truer to the novel. Which did we choose? You’ll find out!

It’s been wonderful to return to directing this play ten years later. I have always been fascinated with Christie’s best-selling mystery, and I jumped at the opportunity to change up characters, style and design once again. Alongside the plot detail and sophisticated twists and turns, it still speaks to the core of what makes a good story: that actions have consequences, and in this case, the root of Christie’s genius tells the audience that if the law isn’t going to get you, someone else might. Christie imagined diverse, intricate characters to take the audience from sympathy to disgust at every turn. You might walk away tonight undecided on whether these people were really victims or villains.

I’m extremely grateful to work with an excellent cast who threw themselves completely into this thriller, including finding the light humour both in the script and the rehearsal room, and our talented crew dedicated their own skills and brains into mastering what you see and hear tonight. Thanks to Luke at LB Productions for the support and trust once more, and to South Hill Park for continuing to host creativity for the community.

MEET THE CAST Quiller Rees

Catherine Hannan

Ethel Rogers

Vera Claythorne

And Then There Were None was the very first Agatha Christie story that Quiller read when he was a child.

He leapt at the chance to play a part in this new production of the show.

Previously he sleuthed another Christie murder at South Hill Park’s Studio Theatre, playing the police inspector in The Unexpected Guest, as well as performing the role of inspector in Agatha Christie’s A Murder Is Announced.

Other recent appearances include Allo Allo (Captain Bertorelli), Yes Prime Minister (Sir Humphrey Appleby), Pygmalion (Professor Higgins), The Government Inspector, Goodnight Mr Tom, A Flea in Her Ear and Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead.

Catherine is a hairstylist and massage therapist by day and can usually be found doing musical theatre with the Sainsbury Singers. Her most enjoyable parts have been Babbett in Beauty and the Beast, Bonnie in Anything Goes, Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd and most recently Grandma in Addams Family.

She has also Directed Made in Dagenham which was awarded best musical by NODA. Catherine has been involved with theatre from a young age and attended the Suzanne School of Dancing and she has also been involved with Aldermaston Players in the past too.

Much of Gemma’s free time is spent at the theatre. Her most recent role was the love torn Patricia Graham in Flare Path at Wokingham Theatre. Recent shows in the Wilde theatre include Hollywood film star Veronica Craye in another Agatha Christie play The Hollow, and the flamboyant Leila Arden in Rope by Patrick Hamilton.

Thomas Rogers

Gemma Burgess

MEET THE CAST Luke Burton

Clive Elkington

Gareth Wells

Phillip Lombard

Anthony Marston

William Blore

Luke has been performing, directing and producing at South Hill Park in the Wilde Theatre and Studio Theatre for many years. He was founder of the Studio Theatre Company which ran from 2011 – 2023 producing over 50 shows.

Recent acting credits include: Manuel in Fawlty Towers, Beaver in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Andy in Brassed Off, Charles Surface in The School for Scandal, Mucduff in Macbeth, Perks in The Railway Children, Friar Laurence in Romeo and Juliet, Joe and Jaggers in Great Expectations. John Cristow in The Hollow, Treves in The Elephant Man Laurent in Therese Raquin, Dave in My Favourite Summer, Morville in Four Nights in Knaresborough.

Clive has been performing most of his life. Some notable roles include Anthony in Sweeney Todd, Mr Humphries in Are You Being Served? Gerry in Dancing at Lughnasa, Mum in East, 86year old waiter Alfie in One Man, Two Guvnors, Clov in Endgame, and a one man show The Hat, The Cane, The Moustache’ at Edinburgh Fringe, a show about Charlie Chaplin. He performed in three of the four London 2012 Ceremonies, and in 2011 he set up LivelyWood Pictures producing Video, Film and Theatre, with an awardwinning short film under its belt. As a result of the recent pandemic, Clive's career has moved into education, working with learners with additional needs, teaching GCSE English and Maths.

Gareth is thrilled to be playing Blore in this production of And Then There Were None. For the past 11 years he has been involved in numerous Amateur Dramatic Musical Theatre shows in and around Reading and has played many roles including Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, The Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz and Toby in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. In the past year he has performed in two plays as Edward Angkatell in The Hollow with The Studio Theatre Company and as Officer Crabtree in Allo Allo with CATS.

MEET THE CAST Richard Mauldon

Margery Jackson

Richard has been involved in drama in Maidenhead area for 25 + years. There have been many roles from Shakespeare performed outdoors. Highlights Twelfth Night, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado about Nothing, The Merry Wives of Windsor. Plays ranging from The Ideal Husband to An Evening with Gary Lineker and Nevilles Island. Plus, many Pantos In 2021 he was assistant director on Abi Morgan’s play Lovesong.

Most recent production in 2022 was a one act play Anger Management performed in Windsor and also entered into two Drama Festivals in Henley and Maidenhead. No prizes but the Adjudicator loved it.

However Richard was nominated and won a regional award as Best male character in a play by NODA

Margery has directed and performed in musicals and plays for many years and is delighted to have been given the opportunity to join this cast. She last directed Flare Path for Wokingham Theatre and her last appearance at South Hill Park was in Calendar Girls. The role of Emily Brent in this production has certainly been a challenge to portray, her intolerance and nasty attitude towards the younger generation-----having eight grandchildren of her own!!!

General Mackenzie

Emily Brent

Whilst being posted abroad she performed and directed in Geneva, Brussels, Paris and Philadelphia.

Returning to England she taught and examined drama students in various schools and colleges--Sienna Miller being one!

MEET THE CAST Peter Pearson

Lawrence Wargrave

Peter’s recent stage acting includes: Their Finest Hour at Waterloo East Theatre (2023) and the Studio Theatre (2019, 2020); The Tempest at the Wilde Theatre (2020); A Christmas Carol at Wokingham Theatre (2018); and two tours of Regulation 18B, No Free Man (2015, 2016). Films include: the short films Off the Coast (2021) and Belladonna (2023), and the sci-fi feature A Universe Apart (2024). Performances with the Rhyme and Reason poetry performance group include An Earl’s Court Miscellany (Finborough Theatre Online: 2022, 2023) and A London Fairytale (2023). Other poetry speaking includes: Radio 4’s Poetry Please and LBC radio’s Word of Mouth. He is also a voiceover artist.

Gordon Cowell

Dr. Edward Armstrong

Gordon started collecting Agatha Christie books from the age of twelve so as a mega fan he is absolutely delighted to be part of this amazing production. He started performing as a child with Starmaker Theatre Company and made his professional debut as the title role in “Oliver” at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre. After studying Biology and French at the University of Sussex, he went to Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and appeared in “The Woman in Black” and “The Mousetrap” in the West End. Gordon was coaxed back to the stage after a thirteen-year break by Savoy Singers in the fabricated role of a tap-dancing tiger (!) in “The Mikado” at Camberley Theatre. Productions with EBOS at the Wilde Theatre have included Mr Sowerberry in “Oliver!” and Don Lockwood in “Singin’ in the Rain” and last year he played the title role in the rarely performed G&S “The Grand Duke” again for Savoy Singers at Camberley Theatre. He will back at the Wilde Theatre in April as Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast”.

CREW

Peter Hamilton…………………………………………...Freddie Burton The Voice………………………………………………..Dan Jedrzejczak Assistant Director: Phil Tomlin Lighting and Sound Operation: Liz George Lighting Design: Nell Golledge Lighting Programming: Oscar Burr Sound Design: Huw Roch Deputy Stage Manager: Ellen Kilvington Stage Management: Catherine Hannan Flyer/Poster design: Gemma Roch & Clive Elkington Photography: Asun Olivan Social Media Marketing: Hannah O’Connor

SPECIAL THANKS There will be an interval of 20 minutes between Act 1 & Act 2 No filming or photography This performance contains gun shots & depictions of murder and Suicide please contact a steward for details if any concerns.

This production is dedicated to the memory of our friend and fellow performer David Rhodes

South Hill Park, Craig Titley, Tony James, Michael Brenkley, Phil Hoegger, Deasil Waltho, Wokingham Theatre (special thanks to Sue and Bob De Quidt) for costume, props and set supply. Freddie Burton, Dan Jedrzejczak, Asun Olivan, Ross Brown, Grasshopper Cocktail & Wine Bar

ADDITIONAL DETAILS

A LITTLE THANKS TO THE GRASSHOPPER, WOKINGHAM

Hidden away just steps from Wokingham Town Hall, Grasshopper is a wine and cocktail bar from the team behind your neighbourhood restaurant Chalk on Broad Street. The food menu features shareable dishes and a vast selection of over 180 wines filled with amazing value picks and real rarities, alongside timeless cocktails and a wide selection of spirits.

MIDWEEK LIVE MUSIC For great live music minus the hassle of expensive tickets, crowded concert venues, and the headache of trying to escape once the show is over, then transplant yourself to Grasshopper which is alive with the buzz of conversation and live music to soundtrack your evening from 7pm until 9.30pm, see our dates below.

Thursday 8th Thursday 22nd HALF OFF WEDNESDAY | 50% OFF Non-spendy snacks - Make the Most of the Menu!

The discounted wine and cocktails are terrific, but it’s even nicer to have less-spendy snacks to match. Get all of our dishes half-price every Wednesday at Grasshopper - the perfect excuse to get together.

WINE DOWN TUESDAYS | 50% OFF Wine is lovely but half-priced wine, that’s even better!

That’s why it’s only appropriate that your neighbourhood wine bar gives its loyal patrons a good wine deal, and that’s why every Tuesday all our wine and sparkling wine bottles priced £45 and under are 50% OFF! MONTHLY QUIZ NIGHT Join us for a night of brain-teasing fun as we transport you through the decades with our special “Quiz Nights.” Gather your friends and family for an evening filled with laughter, competition, and trivia. £2 per person with up to 8 in a team.

Thursday 15th February at 7.30pm MONTHLY BINGO NIGHT For a night of raucous fun featuring bingo, head on down to Grasshopper Wine Bar! Spin the wheel and win prizes; no bingo experience required. £2 per person Thursday 1st February at 7.30pm https://www.grasshopperbar.co.uk