Natchez Little Theatre’s Diamond Jubilee 60th Season is proud to present Agatha Christie’s most famous mystery, “Ten Little Indians,” this Thursday through Sunday at the Natchez Little Theatre at 319 Linton Ave. at Maple Street in Natchez.

I am very proud to be the director and set designer for this fifth production of the season. Darlene McCune is the assistant director.

“Ten Little Indians” is based on the detective novel by Agatha Christie first published in 1938 and is Christie’s best selling novel of all time. Ten strangers, with nothing in common, are lured to an island off the British coast by a mysterious U.N. Owen.

Once all are assembled, a voice from a phonograph accuses each of hiding a terrible secret. Are these people really murderers? When one of the guests turns up dead, the scramble to stay alive begins as all are stranded on the island by a storm without power or telephone.

The poem “Ten Little Indians” is displayed on the mantel above the fireplace that features 10 small Indian statues. With the murder of each guest (done in a suitable fashion to the crime they’re accused of), one of the statues is found broken near the body. One by one, the guests are killed as they accuse each other while striving to solve the mystery once they realize that the killer is one of them. The tension mounts as they eye each other and make divided alliances as a survival mechanism.

These strong characters unfold their foibles, fears and follies that contribute to the confusion as the mystery unfolds. We are given enough clues if we listen closely. The clever twists add to the dramatic power of the play. This excellent work will keep you guessing with some funny moments thrown in as it swiftly engages us as amateur detectives. This is a smart, flawless play that offers fine entertainment. You’ll enjoy the hunt for the killer and as the characters die off one by one; it is the audience that will die … laughing!

The cast is comprised of Stacey Carden, Casey Gilbert, John Harter, Landon Henry, Tommy Jackson, Rusty Jenkins, Patty Killelea, Moe LeBlanc, Ryan Dixon Richardson, Anne White, Antonio Williams and Dwight Williams. Which one of these performers is the murderer and who will survive? You’ll have to come to Natchez Little Theatre to find out. “Ten Little Indians” was first performed at Natchez Little Theatre 55 years ago, during the 1952-53 season.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday evenings, and “Ten Little Indians” closes on Sunday, with a 2 p.m. matinee. Reservations should be made by calling NLT at 601-442-2233; toll free at 1-877-440-2233; via e-mail at natchez@bellsouth.net or by visiting the Web site at www.natcheztheatre.com. Tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for senior citizens (60 and above) and youth (18 and under).

Don’t miss this delightful performance of one of the world’s most famous and beloved mysteries. I look forward to seeing you.

Lynn Mann is vice president of production for the Natchez Little Theatre.