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Stars explained: * A production of no real merit
with failings in all areas. ** A production showing evidence of not
enough time or effort, or even talent, and which never breathes any real
life into the piece – or a show lumbered with a terrible script. *** A
good enjoyable show which might have some small flaws but has largely
achieved what it set out to do.**** An excellent show which shows a
great deal of work and stage craft with no noticeable or major
flaws.***** A four star show which has found that extra bit of magic
which lifts theatre to another plane. |
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Mystery with a touch of class
This could be a suit of armour: Milo Tindle, played by Richard Howell, tries a spot of detection while Andrew Wyke, played by Paul Evans, keeps a close gun on him Sleuth The Grange
Players Grange
Playhouse, Walsall *****
EVEN the author, Anthony Shaffer, would surely have been impressed by
the skill displayed by this amateur company in staging his famous
twists-and-turns thriller. It
certainly gripped the first night audience from start to finish, one man
even forgetting to switch off his mobile phone despite the pre-show
request, and of course a call came in during the dramatic final moments! But that couldn't detract from
the pleasure of a play full of surprises and spells of humour as well as
the obvious menace when two rivals in love come together with the
prospect of murder on the agenda. The action takes place in the
living room of successful mystery writer Andrew Wyke's Wiltshire manor
house, superbly built by the backstage staff of the players, adding
considerably to the overall enjoyment. Huge credit is due to set
builders Tony Groves, Sue Groves, Robert Onions and Adam Worton whose
hard work has been such a vital commodity in ensuring the play's
success. Now the cast. Paul Evans gives
a powerfully convincing performance as Wyke who lures his wife's lover,
Milo Tindle, to his home which contains items reflecting his fascination
with game-playing . . . even a Jolly Jack Tar doll in a fairground-style
glass case, which laughs at his jokes. Seemingly jealous Wyke manages
to convince Tindle, equally well played by Richard Howell, that the best
way out of the crisis is to stage a robbery of his cheating wife's
jewellery, with Tindle collecting a large sum of cash from a ‘fence',
while he (Wyke) scoops the insurance money and continues life with his
own lover. But the writer's plot doesn't
end there, and a skilfully staged shooting has the audience on the edge
of their seats at the conclusion of the first act. Wyke had already
demonstrated his skill with a revolver by blasting a decorative plate on
the mantelpiece before choosing a much larger target. Earlier the two main
characters had combined in a realistic safe-blowing incident which
underlined how determined the company was to avoid any short cuts and
carrying out difficult tasks. The second act sees the
arrival of a mysterious Detective Inspector Doppler who claims to be
investigating the disappearance of Milo Tindle, and for once the
super-confident Wyke finds its his turn to squirm for a while. But the strange copper isn't
all he seems, and the wriggling writer suddenly finds he has another
escape route with a gun in his hand. At least, he thinks he has!
Gunshots and police sirens bring a fascinating story to a surprising
conclusion. Full marks to Dexter Whitehead
who directs the play with great skill, and producer Jane James for her
impressive contribution. To 21-09-13 Paul
Marston |
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