LOCAL NEWS THAT MATTERS, SENT TO YOU DIRECTLY. SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!
Philip Lombard (Jacob Stauffer) and Vera Claythorne (Mackenzie Caddy) arrive as guests at the quick-to-turn eerie manor on Soldier Island. (Image Credit: Central Alberta Theatre/Judy Jackson)
Spoiler-free

Review: C.A.T.’s ‘And Then There Were None’ a charming contemporary take on murder mystery classic

Oct 25, 2026 | 8:54 PM

Red Deer’s arts & culture scene is awesome, and the latest example of that is Central Alberta Theatre’s modern take on the all-time classic, ‘And Then There Were None.’

If you can get a ticket for a show during the remainder of its run, through Oct. 31, definitely do so.

For the uninitiated, the Agatha Christie murder mystery novel debuted in 1939. It was first adapted for the stage in 1943.

Perhaps the most interesting fact about it is how the ending has been altered several times, depending on the version — leaving it truly a mystery for any of its spectators, readers, or on the small and silver screens.

As for the local production, co-directed by Jaime Falk and Jerry Ackerman, the commitment to detail is exemplary, and the characters’ portrayals are excellent.

The entire cast does a genuine job of keeping the audience guessing who could be the murderer lurking around the cliffside estate on the private rock called Soldier Island, off the coast of Devon in the 1950s.

And that’s the aim, isn’t it?

William Blore (Dustin Funk) looks on with the ominous little soldiers on the wall.
William Blore (Dustin Funk) looks on with the ominous little soldiers on the wall.

GASP: Where the heck is the boat?

My stand-out performance — and this is certainly no slight to any of the cast, nor is it a statement on any character’s importance in the mystery — goes to Judie Doran, who plays the uber-skeptical, cleverly pretentious, and verbally stinging Emily Brent.

The truth is, of the 11 players, there’s no clear singular star — and again, that’s intended as a compliment.

Every one of the cast members stars in this lovely reimagining.

Even the one lesser-seen role of Fred Narracott, acted out by Aaron Dhillon, plays a vital lingering part in the mystery throughout.

That’s not to mention that with the story’s format, where the numbers dwindle throughout, even those who are slain earlier put in wonderfully wizard (thank you to Winter Semrok’s Anthony Marston for continuing the revival of that delightfully olden expression) depictions.

And it all ties together inside the cozy and comfortable, single-set theatre from which you watch the players play.

A bravo to what I’ll call ‘the hand,’ and the entire cast and crew of ‘And Then There Were None.’

Take this as your sign to seek out a ticket for this, or any of their upcoming shows. More details here.

—

EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Pattison Media. Review suggestions can be sent to news@rdnewsNOW.com.