'Ten Little Indians' Given Lively Opening Performance

'Ten Little Indians’ Given Lively Opening Performance

By Jan L. Reynolds

"Ten Little Indians" is as lively as it is deathly. With one murder in the first act, four in the second and three more in the last, there is no lack of rapid action in this melodrama.

Written by Agatha Christie, of mystery novel fame, and presented by the Ann Arbor Civic Theater under the direction of Edna Morris, the play literally overflows with excitement.

Set at a rapid pace (it has to be, to do away with so many in so short a time), the play involves 10 people, brought together on an isolated island by an unknown host on the pretext of joining in on a happy house party. Anything but that, 'the "party” is actually a method of collecting and punishing these people — each guilty of committing a crime and each having heretofore escaped "justice.”

Killer Reveals Self

When it is determined that the murderer must be one of their number, each character is eyed by the others and by the audience with suspicion. After a varied assortment of deaths—by poisoning, an ax, a booby trap and a gun— the killer-host reveals himself. The outcome is for the audience to discover.

This nearly sure-fire plot, the rapid pace and good dialogue explains the popularity of “Ten Little Indians" among amateur groups. The Ann Arbor Civic Theater has handled it well—avoiding the pitfalls and inviting the audience to join them in the fun of it all —the fun of participating in an exciting and dramatic adventure which is just unreal enough not to be horrifying.

The outstanding characteristic of the cast was its sincerity. The actors attempted to give to their individual characters a reality that was needed. They stayed in character, something which is often and sadly missing from amateur productions (and sometimes from professional ones). They spoke clearly, and seemed to believe in what they said.

While there were too many characters to mention individual roles in any detail, credit should go to Gene Duke, Anthony Pasquariello, Ruth Livingston, Raydell Smith, Elmer Benson, Robert R. Williams, Mark Luedi and Robert P. Logan. While nearly all had some rough spots, ho doubt traceable to opening night jitters, they generally gave performances that were better than satisfactory. In fact, the cast as a whole proved surprisingly even.

With all action taking place in the living room of the house, the multi-level stage set added interest and variety. The movements of the actors were somewhat rigid and studied, with action seeming to lack motivation. As they lost their opening tension, however, they gained in smoothness.

"Ten Little Indians” is exciting and suspenseful, if not ‘great’ drama. It is a well-knit play with a swift moving line of action. The degree of believableness necessary for ‘suspension of disbelief’ was added by the actors. This reviewer, at least, looked carefully about before stepping into her car and drove home more rapidly than usual—glad to see the lights still burning.