Brandon Twp.- Time for a mystery.
The Brandon High School drama department presents ‘And Then There Were None,? by Agatha Christie, at 7 p.m., Nov. 5, 6, and 7 onstage at the BHS Performing Arts Center, 1025 S. Ortonville Road. Admission cost is $5.
‘It was time to do a mystery, we like to do one every five or six years,? said Director Cathy Ciesielski, explaining her choice for the fall play. ‘It intrigues the audience and everyone loves a good murder mystery, it’s human nature.?
Ciesielski, a fan of mystery writer Christie, said she did her own adaptation, mixing elements from both the novel and play, exchanging one character for a new one of her own, and adding two Cole Porter songs. She also added five extra characters.
With only 15 castmembers and one set, the play is a smaller production than the past two fall plays, but allows the audience to focus on the story and characters. ‘And Then There Were None,? takes place in a mansion on Devon Island off England in the late 1940s. The diverse characters have been invited to the mansion for different reasons and are all people who have something in their background that is haunting them. They are killed off one by one, as the murderer plays on their weaknesses.
Jake Devoogd, a BHS senior, plays Philip Lombard, described as a sarcastic, genuinely good guy.
‘Like me, he’s good-looking of course,? said Devoogd. ‘He’s full of himself, he’s made some mistakes, but he doesn’t like to admit it. He’s kind of shady. It’s a more in-depth character for me to play because he has a personality, a past and secrets.?
Vera Claythorne, described as a vixen, is played by Taylor Barton, also a BHS senior.
‘She is the person who is prone to hysterics, but doesn’t mean any harm,? Barton said. ‘She’s the only person not portrayed in an evil light, but she has her mystery as well.?
Barton said audiences will enjoy the surprises in the play and doesn’t believe anyone will expect the ending.
Ciesielski expects the audience to connect with the play.
‘There is some humor, some satire, and comments about the English and American culture that are funny,? she said. ‘We will provide an evening of mayhem, madness and fun.?