Agatha Christie classic takes to the stage in Shanghai
2024-05-30 to 2024-06-02
2024-05-30 to 2024-06-02Fans of mystery and suspense are in for a treat when the cast from London's West End brings "And Then There Were None" to China for the first time.
Based on the Agatha Christie novel, the play is on a global tour this year, with the China leg starting this month.
It will be presented at Shanghai Culture Square from May 30 to June 2.
"And Then There Were None" will be staged at Shanghai Culture Square from May 30 to June 2.
Known as the "Queen of Crime," Agatha is affectionately called " A Po " – grandmother in English – by her Chinese fans due to their fondness and admiration for her, believing she holds grandmother-level status in the field of detective fiction with work that includes "Murder on the Orient Express," and "Death on the Nile."
Of her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, "And Then There Were None" is her most well-known and best-selling novel. Hailed as her crowning achievement, the novel is still vibrant 85 years after its publication and has been adapted into stage plays, films and TV dramas many times.
In 2007, the Chinese version of the play made its debut in Shanghai to great acclaim, sparking a "suspense play craze" wave across the nation.
This time, "A Po" fans can appreciate the authentic version of the stage play, and enjoy the artistic fusion of original classic and captivating stage presentation.
Guinness World Records lists Agatha Christie as the best-selling fiction writer of all time, her novels having sold more than two billion copies.
The story takes place in 1939, with Europe on the brink of World War II. It centers around ten strangers who are unexpectedly invited to an isolated island. The generous hosts, Mr and Mrs Owen, have mysteriously vanished, and each person present is accused of a terrible crime. When one of the guests suddenly dies, they realize they might be in the company of a murderer. The series of deaths leads them to suspect each other as they try to uncover the killer's identity.
The director of the play is Britain's Lucy Bailey, who previously directed another Christie classic – "Witness for the Prosecution."
For "And Then There Were None," Bailey employs a highly innovative approach – placing all the characters in a single room and observing their every word and action. It continues her signature theater directing style, which allows the audience to immerse themselves in the play , blending seamlessly with the storyline.
"And what we did was blend this room with the natural environment. As the plot progresses, the events naturally begin to take over," Bailey said, with the audience increasingly feeling as if they are on an isolated island.
The cast includes a stellar lineup of British film actors and West End veterans.
A scene from the UK tour of "And Then There Were None."
The play features a stellar lineup of British film actors and West End veterans including Geoffrey Beevers, who appeared in the "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" movie and Lucy Tregear, who starred in the film "Romeo and Juliet."
The play's China tour includes 11 stops in Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Suzhou, and other cities through July. The first stop is Pingshan, with performances from May 9 to May 12.
A trailer for "And Then There Were None."
Performance info
Dates: May 30-June 2, 2pm/7:30pm
Tickets: 80-780 yuan
Venue: Shanghai Culture Square 上海文化广场
Address: 597 Fuxing Rd M. 复兴中路597号