Wargrave questions
Rogers as the others look on
Left to right: Marston (Sam Mann); Vera Claythorne (Lizzy Reeves); Lombard
(David Percival); Wargrave (Martin Drummond); Emily Brent (Rowena Atkinson);
Blore (Alan Carpenter); Rogers (David Atkinson); MacKenzie
(Kevin Oelrichs); Armstrong (Pete Harrold)
Other members of the cast were: Mrs
Rogers (Georgette Vale); Narracot (Brian Maddern)
Director:
Amanda Oelrichs
Producer: Heather Carpenter
Stage Manager: Nancy Adams
Set Design: Alan Carpenter
Review
by Sue Dupont
This
was an excellently cast production with no weak links and all highly
appropriate for the roles as cast, and that makes such a difference
in this kind of play and the relationships between the characters which
were strongly drawn.
The tension and atmosphere and the final denouement were well realised
under the auspices of Amanda Oelrichs, and kept the audience on their
toes for attention. As expected from Wymondham Players a good set.
Opening atmosphere well realised and set up by the Rodgers (David Atkinson
as Butler and Georgette Vale as Housekeeper), and then the arrival of
guests, all of whom had a hidden secret which they were forced to reveal
during the plot and to live with the circumstances. Vera Claythorne
(Lizzy Reeves) and Captain Lombard (David Percival) made an excellent
couple in their ages and relationships and very strong performances
throughout to the final curtain; was she really innocent of her crime
and was she falling for him, was he guilty as accused or as explained
by him, and could he win through, these performances were really worth
watching.
Peter Harrold as the nervy Dr Armstrong reacted well to other characters
and the suspicions, and his antagonism to the speeding Anthony Marston
(Sam Mann). The South African accent maintained, the ‘cop’
typical character, Alan Carpenter as William Blore again a very strong
performance and good timing. Good balance with the quieter, older, but
still personalities with forthright opinions from Kavin Oelrichs as
General Mackenzie and the disapproving Emily Brent of Rowena Atkinson.
But it was the understated quiet menace and control of situation from
Sir Lawrence Wargrave (Martin Drummond) which threatened all and sent
shivers down the back (even when we had not decided whether or not he
was the villain), and was the performance of the evening and riveted
attention.
This was a well drawn thriller and kept the tension and pace throughout.
Congratulations to all involved.