London West End play 'And Then There Were None' to be staged in SZ

From Hercule Poirot to Miss Marple, from “Murder on the Orient Express” to “Death on the Nile,” Agatha Christie’s contributions and impact on mystery novels is so profound that you don’t have to be a fan of the genre to be familiar with her name. Her body of works, covering 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, have sold over 2 billion copies, making her the Guinness World Records-recognized best-selling fiction writer of all time, and earning her the reputation of the “queen of crime.”

Photos courtesy of the event organizer

Christie’s most representative work, however, goes to the novel “And Then There Were None.” With over 100 million copies sold worldwide since its publication in 1939, it is the world’s best-selling mystery and one of the best-selling books of all time. Adaptations based on the book can be found on theater stages, television screens, and other stages across the world; and this May, Shenzhen audiences will have the chance to enjoy an acclaimed stage play version from London’s West End at the Pingshan Theatre, which is the crew’s first stop in China during their first ever China tour. 

Set on an isolated small island off the Devon coast, “And Then There Were None” revolves around eight strangers landing on the island upon receiving personal invitations of different reasons, plus a butler and housekeeper couple commissioned by Mr. and Mrs. Owens, the mysterious and absent hosts. Shortly after their supper, a phonograph in the dining room begins to play, with the recording accusing all people present of having committed murder. Within the following few days, they begin to die one after another in manners corresponding to lines in a nursery rhyme, and after each death, one of the 10 figurines in the dining room is removed. The remaining guests become increasingly scared as time pass by, and try desperately to find out the identity of the murderer before it is too late. 

Directed by Lucy Bailey, who previously directed the acclaimed play “The Witness for the Prosecution” based on Agatha Christie’s novel of the same name, the stage play features a whole new interpretation of the story and upgraded stage art design. Whether you have known the story’s plot by heart or your knowledge about it is confined to the paragraphs above, the play will showcase how a story penned over eight decades ago continues to captivate modern audiences.  

And now, audiences purchasing tickets for the play (180-yuan tickets do not apply) can enjoy a 20% early-bird discount. Members of the Pingshan Theatre are eligible for additional member discounts. Each audience member can purchase a maximum of six discounted tickets.  

This time, Shenzhen Daily and the Pingshan Theatre will invite two lucky readers to watch the play for free! Simply follow the “ShenzhenDaily” official WeChat account, share this post on your WeChat Moments, and leave us a comment below to share with us which Agatha Christie book or adaptation impresses you the most and why. The two lucky readers picked by Shenzhen Daily will each receive a free 280-yuan ticket for the play's May 9 (Thursday) performance. Both English and Chinese comments will both considered.

Dates: 7:30 p.m., May 9-12 (Thursday to Sunday); 2:30 p.m., May 12 (Sunday)

Length of performance: 145 minutes (a 20-minute intermission is included)

Tickets: 180/280/480/680/880 yuan 

Scan the QR code above to purchase tickets

Venue: Pingshan Theatre, Pingshan District (坪山区坪山大剧院)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1