On an island off the coast of England a group of eight house guests and two household servants find themselves swept up in the unraveling murder plot of a mysterious Mr. Owen.

In a room full of suspicion and tense manners, a stodgy English woman breaks the somber silence.

“I think the pleasures of living on an island are rather overrated,” she said.

The audience attending the Whidbey Playhouse’s presentation of Agatha Christie’s novel “And Then There Were None” ripples into laughter. A quip about living on an island is well appreciated by Whidbey Island residenfz, even in the midst of a foreboding melodrama.

The Playhouse cast has presented “The Ten Little Indians,” the theatrical adaption of Christie’s novel, since April 1.

“Going from reading a book — just words, to making it live, that’s the fun part,” said Oak Harbor resident Maurice Wilson, who plays the character Fred Narracott.

Christi set the scene for her murder mystery on a fictional island, Indian Island, off the English coast. The play takes place in the 1930s, and throws in little references to the era such as the novelty of sporty automobiles, nannies, “wizard,” and long summer holidays.

Director Dottie Morgan said she directed this same play in Tucson, Ariz. in 1995, but that she had a great deal of fun doing it a second time because of the cast and staff she worked with at the Whidbey Playhouse.

“This is such a great cast,” said Stage Manager Julie McNutt. “It’s been so much fun.”

Morgan said the play’s plot will keep the audience guessing. The murderer could be anyone.

The plot thickens as the guests discover their mysterious host knows secrets about each of their pasts, namely secrets concerning the deaths of people in their lives. They also discover that this host has brought them to the island to execute his own judgment on them and carry out each guest’s punishment.

The evasive Mr. Owen carries this plan out in accordance to a children’s nursery rhythm, hung above the fireplace mantel, and accompanied by ten small figurine Indians.

“Ten little Indians going out to dine;

One went and choked his little self and then there were nine.”

The order of deaths fall in line with each consecutive stanza of poetry. With each death, one of the small figurines fall off the mantel in a telltale sign of doom.

Trapped, with no means of escape, the remaining guests are forced to face their pasts, accusations of murder and the role they played in the deaths of which they are accused.

They must also determine if their enemy is a stranger to the group or one of them.

The question is who will be the last little Indian standing.

With stints of humor and comic relief, this production will also keep guests guessing and jumping in their seats with bangs, guns, voices, candle flickers and the inevitable deaths that the mystery revolves around.

“Stand by for a few shots, a few scares and a good old fashion ‘who done it,’” Morgan said.

Oak Harbor resident Evelyn Coffin said she enjoyed the play.

“It was nice,” she said. “I was so busy watching those little Indians.”

E-mail Christina Tercero at ctercero@whidbeynewstimes.com.