Actor and television presenter Mark Curry is set to star in the stage adaptation of Dame Agatha Christie’s most successful novel And Then There Were None.

The morbid tale is produced by the Agatha Christie Theatre Company to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

The book sold more than 100m copies worldwide and the play was actually penned by Christie herself.

Set in an island cut off from the mainland, the secrets of 10 unassuming characters unfold in a dark and twisted tale of distorted revelations.

Curry takes on the role of nervous recovering alcoholic Dr Armstrong and says he loves the drama involved with such a role.

He says: "I’ve done a lot of comedy but when I did Woman in Black in the West End I remember it being as rewarding as hearing an audience laugh. When you can feel an audience scared you can feel that tension in the theatre."

Curry’s career spans 40 years with highlights presenting Blue Peter and touring with Noises Off and Singin’ in the Rain.

His advice to young actors starting out is to persevere and pick themselves up off the floor from the inevitable setbacks they will face amid gruelling competition within the industry.

He says: "That's the determination. Just to live in the moment put that [set back] behind you and get on with the next gig because the phone can ring and change your life."

He also warns that fame should not be the motivation for aspiring thespians, the love of the art should be your sole motivator.

He says: "The really good and true actors almost don't care about being famous. They care about being in a good show, being as real and true to that part. That's what acting is. It’s about enjoying that process of being someone else, bringing a story to life and hanging on to that."

Serendipitously, Mark will help to bring the production of And Then There Were None to life at Richmond Theatre, a place where one of his first big roles was filmed.

Curry says: "I first went to Richmond Theatre when I was 14 years old to record Bugsy Malone and we filmed the scene where I’m playing the producer and I am sat in the stalls of Richmond Theatre. As a child I remember thinking ‘wow this theatre!’ It’s kind of in my heart because of that connection from me being a child."

Mark believes Richmond Theatre is the ideal setting for the chilling production, describing it as an intimate auditorium and a beautiful, Frank Matcham theatre.

"You’re stepping in to a piece of history you walk on stage, you think of the people who have walked that stage before you and performed there and you feel you’re part of that history. Playing something like Agatha Christie you’re part of great tradition and a piece of Britain."

  • And Then There Were None; Richmond Theatre, Little Green, Richmond; May 26 to 30, 7.30pm. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday matinees at 2.30pm; tickets £ 10 - £37.90; visit atgtickets.com/richmond.