Wymondham Players

Director: Amanda Oelrichs

Stage Managers: Rick and Nancy Adams

Above: (Left to right) Romaine Heilger (Tracy Hobbs); Mr Justice Wainwright (Bob McClenning);
Clerk of the Court (David Bryant); Mr Meyers QC (Martin Drummond); Mr Barton (David Paternoster);
Sir Wilfred Robarts QC (Kevin Oelrichs); Mr Mayhew (Chris Baines); Miss Brogan-Moore (Marianne London);
Policeman (Nicholas Campbell-McBride) Leonard Vole (David Percival)

Other members of the cast:
Greta (Emma Baines); Carter (David Atkinson); Inspector Robert Hearn (Alan Carpenter);
Dr Wyatt (Heather Carpenter ); Janet MacKenzie (Teresa Evans); Mr Clegg (Alan Sarbutt-King)
The Woman (Becky Davis)

Review by Martin Rolfe - NODA

It is always a pleasure to visit a company as they celebrate their 70 years anniversary and even more so when you are treated to an Agatha Christie play which was performed to a very high standard by an 18 strong cast.

For anybody who has not seen the play a quick synopsis Leonard Vole is accused of murdering Eleanor French and pleads not guilty. A court case ensues and with the usual Agatha Christie tradition several twists and turns later and a last-minute murder everything is cleared up. To get us to this conclusion we encounter several very convincing witnesses and two battling barristers in the setting of the Old Bailey, a very convincing set.

On the defence side there are several characters who operate from the offices of Sir Wilfred Robarts QC. Firstly we meet Greta (Emma Baines) the new young and inexperienced secretary as she struggles with the tradition of the Temple, good to see young members joining the Players. Her conversations are usually with, the steeped in Temple life, Mr Carter (David Atkinson), Chief Clerk to Sir Wilfred. This was a confident performance, giving us an excellent portrayal of the faithful, worked for the same employer all his life, clerk. Mr Mayhew (Chris Baines) the solicitor gave another strong performance as he battled with getting information from clients and police but always being there taking notes and offering help and support. Finally, the tour de force, Sir Wilfred Robarts (Kevin Oelrichs) this was a masterful performance, looking assured and oozing confidence as he ploughed through long passages of dialogue with ease and keeping it all totally believable.

Mr Myers QC (Martin Drummond) gave us the more “Rumpole”esque type barrister and was equally totally believable, with a combination of strong acting and a characterisation which never faltered. With him in court was Mr Justice Wainwright (Bob McClenning) a jovial judge but one who does not tolerate liberty taking in court. Skilfully handled, as it could so easily have slipped into a comedy caricature.

Now for the witnesses. First to give evidence was Inspector Hearne (Alan Carpenter). Having arrested Leonard Vole, after suspecting someone else, he delivered his evidence with the confidence of a seasoned detective but never feeling totally convinced of Vole’s guilt

Dr Wyatt (Heather Carpenter), one of the pioneering lady forensic surgeons, gave her evidence clearly and precisely.

Janet MacKenzie (Teresa Evans) the long serving housekeeper to Eleanor French, with strong motives for murder, delivered her tale in, this lovely soft Scottish accent which she maintained beautifully throughout her testimony.

Mr Clegg (Alan Sarbutt-King) talked about blood and had already arrived at a conclusion until he was cross examined by Sir Wilfred.

The core of the story revolves around Leonard Vole (David Percival) and his Austrian born wife Romaine (Tracey Hobbs). Both actors delivered performances that enhanced the production and contributed greatly to the overall drama of the piece. The under educated man and the sophisticated lady made a stalwart combination. The characterisations being completely maintained until the final Christie twist, as other woman (Becky Davis), was introduced it gave us the insight to realise what their characters were in fact really like.

Small but significant contribution was made by Mr Barton (David Paternoster) and Miss Brogan-Moore (Marianne London) and the court warder/detective (Nicholas Campbell-McBride)

The secret to successful plays lies in good cast, good pace and good direction (Amanda Oelrichs) and this play was blessed with all three. In their anniversary year, it makes us all look forward to the next 70 years if this is the quality of the performances we will see. An excellent evening’s entertainment.


A registered charity	Wymondham Players Production - Witness for the Prosecution
	Witness for the Prosecution By Agatha Christie Dates performed: 26th - 29th April 2023 Director: Amanda Oelrichs Stage Managers: Rick and Nancy Adams Above: (Left to right) Romaine Heilger (Tracy Hobbs); Mr Justice Wainwright (Bob McClenning); Clerk of the Court (David Bryant); Mr Meyers QC (Martin Drummond); Mr Barton (David Paternoster); Sir Wilfred Robarts QC (Kevin Oelrichs); Mr Mayhew (Chris Baines); Miss Brogan-Moore (Marianne London); Policeman (Nicholas Campbell-McBride) Leonard Vole (David Percival) Other members of the cast: Greta (Emma Baines); Carter (David Atkinson); Inspector Robert Hearn (Alan Carpenter); Dr Wyatt (Heather Carpenter ); Janet MacKenzie (Teresa Evans); Mr Clegg (Alan Sarbutt-King) The Woman (Becky Davis) Review by Martin Rolfe - NODA It is always a pleasure to visit a company as they celebrate their 70 years anniversary and even more so when you are treated to an Agatha Christie play which was performed to a very high standard by an 18 strong cast. For anybody who has not seen the play a quick synopsis Leonard Vole is accused of murdering Eleanor French and pleads not guilty. A court case ensues and with the usual Agatha Christie tradition several twists and turns later and a last-minute murder everything is cleared up. To get us to this conclusion we encounter several very convincing witnesses and two battling barristers in the setting of the Old Bailey, a very convincing set. On the defence side there are several characters who operate from the offices of Sir Wilfred Robarts QC. Firstly we meet Greta (Emma Baines) the new young and inexperienced secretary as she struggles with the tradition of the Temple, good to see young members joining the Players. Her conversations are usually with, the steeped in Temple life, Mr Carter (David Atkinson), Chief Clerk to Sir Wilfred. This was a confident performance, giving us an excellent portrayal of the faithful, worked for the same employer all his life, clerk. Mr Mayhew (Chris Baines) the solicitor gave another strong performance as he battled with getting information from clients and police but always being there taking notes and offering help and support. Finally, the tour de force, Sir Wilfred Robarts (Kevin Oelrichs) this was a masterful performance, looking assured and oozing confidence as he ploughed through long passages of dialogue with ease and keeping it all totally believable. Mr Myers QC (Martin Drummond) gave us the more “Rumpole”esque type barrister and was equally totally believable, with a combination of strong acting and a characterisation which never faltered. With him in court was Mr Justice Wainwright (Bob McClenning) a jovial judge but one who does not tolerate liberty taking in court. Skilfully handled, as it could so easily have slipped into a comedy caricature. Now for the witnesses. First to give evidence was Inspector Hearne (Alan Carpenter). Having arrested Leonard Vole, after suspecting someone else, he delivered his evidence with the confidence of a seasoned detective but never feeling totally convinced of Vole’s guilt Dr Wyatt (Heather Carpenter), one of the pioneering lady forensic surgeons, gave her evidence clearly and precisely. Janet MacKenzie (Teresa Evans) the long serving housekeeper to Eleanor French, with strong motives for murder, delivered her tale in, this lovely soft Scottish accent which she maintained beautifully throughout her testimony. Mr Clegg (Alan Sarbutt-King) talked about blood and had already arrived at a conclusion until he was cross examined by Sir Wilfred. The core of the story revolves around Leonard Vole (David Percival) and his Austrian born wife Romaine (Tracey Hobbs). Both actors delivered performances that enhanced the production and contributed greatly to the overall drama of the piece. The under educated man and the sophisticated lady made a stalwart combination. The characterisations being completely maintained until the final Christie twist, as other woman (Becky Davis), was introduced it gave us the insight to realise what their characters were in fact really like. Small but significant contribution was made by Mr Barton (David Paternoster) and Miss Brogan-Moore (Marianne London) and the court warder/detective (Nicholas Campbell-McBride) The secret to successful plays lies in good cast, good pace and good direction (Amanda Oelrichs) and this play was blessed with all three. In their anniversary year, it makes us all look forward to the next 70 years if this is the quality of the performances we will see. An excellent evening’s entertainment.