It’s a crime time cracker from Chloe

TEN, nine, eight... a murderous tale from The Queen of Crime is heading for the Cambridge Arts Theatre.

Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None features an all-star cast, including Chloe Newsome, perhaps best know for her role as Vicky MacDonald in Coronation Street.

"By the time Agatha Christie wrote the story she was already an established writer," says Chloe.

"The director told me that she was at a dinner party and there was a bet that she couldn't write a play in which every character died and that the murderer was among them.

"I can't say if that's what happens, as it would ruin the play."

Chloe, who is from Sheffield but lives in South London, plays Vera, one of ten guests on an island near Devon, who soon begin to realise that something is not quite right at their party.

"Vera is a school teacher and decides she wants a summer job during the holidays," says Chloe.

"She goes to an agency and ends up working as the secretary for the hosts of the party, and she is meant to be starting work when she turns up on the island.

"She thinks it's a cushty job as the island is so beautiful and she's being paid lots."

But, while the hosts of the party are held up in London, each of the guests, who all have their own secrets to reveal, begin to be killed one by one.

"It's a great script to get into, there are many different levels," says Chloe.

"It all starts off nicely, but descends into madness."

The cast of And Then There Were None, set in 1939, are great, says Chloe, who began her career on children's TV series Children's Ward.

She is now stepping into the shoes of Vera for the second time.

"This was the first theatre job that I had ten years ago, and it was ­definitely interesting revisiting the script," says Chloe.

"I am ten years older, and I think I am playing her very differently."

Chloe has also featured in another of Christie's stage productions - The Hollow in 2006 - taking on the role of Midge Harvey.

"I've done some really good plays - lots of Shakespeare and some Jane Austen," she says.

"I prefer theatre work, but I would like to be braver with my theatre choices, with the plays that I do, that is my next career step.

"My short-term goal is to do an American play."

With TV and film roles behind her, it seems that Chloe is happiest on stage, and is enjoying her latest role.

"I don't get nervous on stage.

"I'm very self conscious on the dance floor.

"I'm not an uber confident ­person, and I can't stand public speaking, but being on stage is the most ­normal thing in the world for me."

And Then There Were None is ­currently in its sixth week, and will be at the Cambridge Arts Theatre between March 17-22.

Tickets cost £10-27 and are ­available from the box office on 01223 503333.