Hampton’s annual Sixth Form Directed Play returned with a gripping and atmospheric production of Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None.
Directed by Upper Sixth Hamptonians Jayden Park and Ben Rowe, this year’s play transported audiences to a remote island off the Devon coast, where a group of strangers find themselves entangled in one of Christie’s most chilling mysteries. Performances took place in the more intimate location of the Drama Hall, where the creative team and cast delivered a tense and memorable interpretation of the world’s bestselling murder mystery novel. Jayden and Ben’s direction brought sharp pacing and a mounting sense of dread that kept the audience guessing right up to the final curtain.
The ensemble cast of Sixth Formers from Hampton and LEH took on Agatha Christie’s complex characters with poise and maturity and the performances showcased impressive emotional range as the characters confronted fear, guilt, and suspicion. Carefully executed staging and lighting heightened the suspense, while the set design – echoing the isolation and austerity of the island mansion – added further intensity to the production.
Jayden and Ben relished the challenge of directing a full‑scale production in their final year. Speaking after the final performance, they praised the cast’s commitment and the collaborative spirit that brought the play to life:
Directing this play has been one of the most memorable experiences we have had at Hampton and that has been primarily due to the hard work and talent of our cast. Watching their understanding of the complex emotional range and their confidence grow throughout the process has been thoroughly rewarding, culminating in an outstanding final performance of a very difficult show. we couldn’t be prouder of everyone.
We are incredibly grateful to the staff and the cast for this experience and hope that our careers as directors are only just beginning!
The Sixth Form Directed Play is a highlight of the academic year, offering senior pupils the chance to take artistic ownership of a production – from casting and rehearsals to staging and design. This year’s And Then There Were None continues the tradition of high‑quality pupil-led theatre at Hampton, following recent productions such as The Importance of Being Earnest, Pygmalion, and 100.
