Every community theater should have a bust of Agatha Christie in the lobby, declaring her the patron saint of amateur actors.

Her works have long been the staples of community theater, and for good reason. Audiences never grow tired of watching characters match wits and exchange verbal volleys. And, of course, the mystery element makes it an interactive experience. Usually the alert audience members guess whodunnit long before the actors clue in, but that’s part of the fun.

Local audiences will have a chance once again to play along, as the Bremerton Community Theatre stages “And Then There Were None,” opening Feb. 3 at the theater in Bremerton.

Director Steve Goupil is a huge Agatha Christie fan — he admits to having read every Christie novel she wrote in her 86 years — and he jumped at the chance to direct this play when the original director stepped down.

“I really rank this up there with her best,” he said.

He noted that the play was the first one fully written by Christie from the book, rather than someone else’s adaptation. It’s also the first of her plays that doesn’t feature a mystery-solving detective. The guests are on their own.

The play is also known as “Ten Little Indians,” but was changed to “And Then There Were None” for American audiences.

The plot revolves around a group of strangers, lured to a remote island under false pretenses, with deadly consequences.

Goupil credits the experienced cast with making it easy for him to step into the director’s role.

“I’ve been blessed with a phenomenal cast and backstage crew,” he said. “The cast really gels, which makes it so much easier.”

There is no one central character in the ensemble cast, giving each actor their “chance for a shining moment,” Goupil said.

Appearing in the play are Valerie Braddock as Mrs. Rogers; Bob Eldred as Mr. Rogers; Raymond Deuel as Marston; Ellen Lyman as Narracott; Pavlina Morris as Emily Brent; Curtis Miller as General MacKenzie; R. Bruce Hankins as Wargrave; Diana George as Dr. Armstrong; Charlie Birdsell as Capt. Lombard; Kevin Matthew as Blore; and Paula Matthew as Vera.

Goupil noted that Miller played the role of Capt. Lombard in the BCT’s original production of the mystery. Now he’s been promoted to general.

This production marks a BCT debut for Morris, who is the director of Bremerton’s “other” theater, Changing Scene Theatre Northwest.

“Pavlina has been incredible in this role,” Goupil said. “And she’s also been helpful with costumes and the sets.”

With her extensive background in theater and experience with Shakespeare, Morris makes an imposing Emily Brent, a snooty upperclass Englishwoman who looks down her nose at the other hapless stranded guests.

While Morris is skilled enough to pull off a suitably snobbish British accent, Goupil urged the cast to stay away from trying to sound like members of the Empire.

“British accents are the bane of community theater,” he said.

Instead, the cast was coached to enunciate and use good diction, producing a cleaner sound than American English. The effect lets the audience know where the play is set, without setting their teeth on edge.

Set designer Donna Barland and the crew have been busy building furniture for the set, creating an authentic Arts and Crafts style island lodge.

“It’s virtually impossible to find this type of furniture,” Goupil said.

Goupil, a graphic artist by day, is personally sculpting the 10 plaster soldier figurines that fall from the mantel as each guest is killed.

Goupil cringed when he noted that the play’s first Sunday matinee falls on Super Bowl Sunday, now a tremendously important day for Seahawks fans.

He said they considered canceling the 2:30 p.m. matinee, but some season ticket holders have already reserved seats.

Looking on the bright side he noted, “It’s a great alternative for football widows and those who don’t like football.” Both of them.

For those football fans who do go to the matinee, “you can still get home in time for the second half,” he said.

“And Then There Were None” opens Feb. 3 and runs weekends through Feb. 26 at the Bremerton Community Theatre, 599 Lebo Blvd., Bremerton. Showtimes are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $10 adults, $9 seniors and students and $7 children under 12, available at the box office 2-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by phone at (360) 373-5152 or (800) 863-1706. wu